French marg
arine manufacturing firm St Hubert is to increase capacity at its Ludres plant to meet growing demand in French and Italian markets.
St Hubert will raise capacity at the plant by 15% as part of an investment program totaling close to €3 million, with the expansion set to come on-stream from next month. More than €9.3 million has been invested in the Lorraine site over the last three years, with the site producing over 35,000 tonnes of of vegetable fats annually.
The margarine producer also spends over €2 million on research and development annually, with up to 10% of the workforce employed in this field, according to St Hubert president Patrick Cahuzac. Some of the innovations created by this team include an Omega 3 varietal - launched in 2002, an organic margarine launched in 2009 and a range incorporating five cereals in 2011.
Acquired by UK firm Dairy Crest last year, St Hubert currently accounts for 39% of France's margarine sales. The company operates in Italy through its subsidiary Valle, which controls 68% of the local market vegetable fats.
arine manufacturing firm St Hubert is to increase capacity at its Ludres plant to meet growing demand in French and Italian markets.St Hubert will raise capacity at the plant by 15% as part of an investment program totaling close to €3 million, with the expansion set to come on-stream from next month. More than €9.3 million has been invested in the Lorraine site over the last three years, with the site producing over 35,000 tonnes of of vegetable fats annually.
The margarine producer also spends over €2 million on research and development annually, with up to 10% of the workforce employed in this field, according to St Hubert president Patrick Cahuzac. Some of the innovations created by this team include an Omega 3 varietal - launched in 2002, an organic margarine launched in 2009 and a range incorporating five cereals in 2011.
Acquired by UK firm Dairy Crest last year, St Hubert currently accounts for 39% of France's margarine sales. The company operates in Italy through its subsidiary Valle, which controls 68% of the local market vegetable fats.
