(News Bulletin 247) – The French specialist in canned and frozen vegetables has appointed Xavier Unkovic, who boasts 20 years of experience in North America, to its general management. Investors welcome this arrival on the Paris Stock Exchange.

The French specialist in canned and frozen vegetables Bonduelle announced Monday the arrival at its general management of Xavier Unkovic, with an experience of more than 20 years in North America, where the group is experiencing difficulties.

“This appointment will take effect on June 1, 2023. Until that date, general management will be provided by Christophe Bonduelle, chairman of the board of directors,” according to a press release from the family business based in northern France. Xavier Unkovic “has 30 years of experience in the service of consumer business development in the American, European and Asian markets”, underlines the group.

The market welcomes the arrival of Xavier Unkovic to the general management of the northern group. The title of the vegetable specialist evolves at the head of the SBF 120, thanks to a gain of 4.4% to 14.82 euros, around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

A solid experience in the United States

His American experience began in 2000, when he took over the general management of Royal Canin (animal feed) in the United States and then in Canada. From 2010, he led the beverage branch of the Mars food group for North America, then for the world from 2013.

In 2017, he took over the presidency and general management of Amy’s Kitchen, a Californian company which markets a range of organic prepared meals, a company “which he straightened out and developed”, welcomed Christophe Bonduelle, who represents the 6th generation. of Bonduelle at the head of the company created in 1853.

Since 2021, Xavier Unkovic has been managing director of the French company specializing in skin care NAOS, known in particular for its brand Bioderma. In early May, the parent company of the Bonduelle and Cassegrain brands announced the departure of its managing director Guillaume Debrosse, a cousin by marriage of Christophe Bonduelle appointed five years earlier and who had notably worked for L’Oréal and in the telecoms sector.

Sharp decline in profits in 2021-2022

In March, Bonduelle had indicated that its activity outside Europe suffered in particular from loss of contracts and an “agronomic crisis” in North America, with the key to a lack of products and an increase in purchase prices.

The group then announced a reorganization of its activities in the United States and indicated that it wished to entrust the general management of the group to a manager “rich in experience of the North American market and consumer products”.

For its staggered 2021-2022 financial year, Bonduelle recorded a 38% drop in its net profit, to 35.4 million euros, weighed down by inflation and the difficulties of its activities in North America, where it generates more 45% of its 2.9 billion euros in turnover.

(With AFP)