Naturex, the global leader in specialty plant-based natural ingredients, has inaugurated the expansion of its Avignon site, headquarter of the Group, in the presence of State representatives, local officials, staff, and company partners.
Thierry Lambert, Chief Executive Officer, invited participants on a tour through various workshops presenting Naturex's activities, along with pastry demonstrations using natural ingredients led by the master chocolatier and pastry chef, Mickaël Azouz. These activities were followed by the traditional ribbon cutting ceremony.
During his speech, Thierry Lambert commented on the group's exponential growth from its beginning in 1992 and its sharp increase in sales (from 100 to 300 million euro) over the past three years, allowing Naturex to gain its position as world leader in its market. He also emphasized the success of the group's development strategy and its resolute international orientation, along with the importance of the Avignon site in guiding the industrial and commercial activities of the company on five continents, and as the central research platform for the group.
The expansion of the Avignon site, 10,000 m² of additional space, will double the total size of the headquarters, which includes production facilities, operational divisions, and other group services. For a total investment of 12 million euro, the new entity will allow the group to anticipate market developments both in terms of production capacity and storage (4,500 m² of production space, 1,000 m² of additional storage space), and in terms of innovation, thanks to specific spaces dedicated to Research and Development and Quality Control. A large ingredient formulation zone was also created in order to develop tailor-made solutions and concepts.
To preserve natural resources and biodiversity, core elements of Naturex's business, the site expansion was carried out in accordance with ambitious sustainable development objectives. To optimize control of energy consumption and environmental impact, appropriate plans were made from the design (insulation, double-flow ventilation, eco-designed wood furniture certified FSC) through to the building's use (construction of a water treatment plant seamlessly integrated into the site environment).
“The new dimension of the Avignon site will boost our offer by allowing us to anticipate market expectations and optimize the development of our future projects on an international level," commented Naturex's Chairman-CEO, Thierry Lambert. “We are proud to be able to continue developing globally from this location in France and to contribute to the growth of our business sector while adhering to responsible and sustainable practices."
