FFP and Vache Bleue join forces in cheese giant

Belgian cheese and dairy producers FFP and Vache Bleue are joining forces to form the European Dairy Company group, a player with a turnover of almost half a billion euros.

Complementary

Founded in 2003, FFP (Flanders Food Production) has positioned itself as a specialist in packaging, slicing and grating cheese. The company processes more than 50,000 tonnes of cheese annually, including major customers such as Domino’s Pizza. Vache Bleue is a lot older, being founded in 1927, and has a strong focus on grated cheese and cheese snacks. The company supplies supermarket chains such as Aldi and Carrefour.

With the merger, the companies strengthen their position in a competitive market, which increasingly demands economies of scale and innovation. Their products and markets complement each other both geographically and in terms of product range, Belgian newspaper De Tijd points out. FFP has a strong export position (to 65 countries), while Vache Bleue gained a firm foothold in the French and German markets with the acquisition of two Arla Foods plants in 2019.

European Dairy Company has ambitious plans for further growth, supported by FFP’s recent investments in its production facilities and Vache Bleue’s strategic acquisitions. The management of the new group comprises Free Vroome and David Parent of Vache Bleue and Axel Van de Poel of FFP.