In 60 years, the Soufflet father and son have transformed a small grain business in the Aube into one of the world’s leading maltsters and one of the main French millers and bakers.
His name was indistinguishable from his empire: Michel Soufflet, who built the first French grain trading giant, died on Sunday at the age of 94, we learned on Monday from the InviVo group, which bought Soufflet in 2021. In 60 years, the Soufflets, father and son, transformed a small grain business in the Aube into one of the world’s leading maltsters and one of the main French millers-bakers, with nearly 7,000 employees in 19 countries, from seed to bakery.
Before becoming “the king of grain”Michel Soufflet had made his mark in his native Aube: he took over the small family cereal business in 1957, after the death of his father. “I was a driver, I was the handyman, I was the stopgap, there weren’t many of us at the time, there were seven of us.”Michel Soufflet told AFP in 2018.
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Acquisition by inVivo in 2021
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- 1 Acquisition by inVivo in 2021
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Very quickly, he sought to improve the harvest. At the time, he recalled, “The farmers put the grain in sacks, the sacks in carts with horses and they brought it back to the farm. I realized that if we provided a way to transport the harvest more economically, it would allow us to gain customers.”. He then bought his first dump truck, capable of collecting at the foot of the combine harvester, and created a grain collection and transport service, from the field to the silo, to Rouen – the leading port for grain exports. Soufflet quickly built his first silo, his first malting house, and expanded. In the 1980s, the family business was already among the leading French grain exporters and opened subsidiaries in Western Europe, then in the late 1990s in the East, in Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.
Yet fiercely attached to his independence, Michel Soufflet decided with his son, Jean-Michel – at the head of the group since 2001 -, in the absence of a successor, to look for a buyer: they chose to join forces with the union of agricultural cooperatives InVivo, favoring “a French-French solution”This alliance will make InVivo a European giant: its turnover, of 12.4 billion euros in 2022-23, has more than doubled since the acquisition of Soufflet at the end of 2021. InVivo employs 14,500 people, has become the world leader in malt and is active in grain brokerage, the sale of products for farmers, the agri-food sector and distribution with the Jardiland and Gamm Vert stores and the Louise network of artisanal bakeries.
The Soufflet Legacy: Transforming a Small Grain Business into a Global Leader
In 60 years, the Soufflet father and son have transformed a small grain business in the Aube into one of the world’s leading maltsters and one of the main French millers and bakers. Michel Soufflet, the founder of the Soufflet Group, passed away on Sunday at the age of 94, leaving behind a legacy of entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and dedication to the agricultural industry [[1]].
Early Beginnings
Michel Soufflet took over the small family cereal business in 1957, after the death of his father. At the time, the business was small, with only seven employees. However, Michel Soufflet was driven by a passion for innovation and improvement. He quickly identified the need to modernize the grain harvesting and transportation process, which was labor-intensive and inefficient [[2]].
Improving the Harvest
Soufflet’s first move was to buy a dump truck that could collect grain directly from the combine harvester, reducing transportation costs and increasing efficiency. This simple yet effective innovation allowed Soufflet to gain customers and expand his business. He then built his first silo and malting house, marking the beginning of the Soufflet Group’s growth into a leading grain exporter [[2]].
Expansion and Global Reach
In the 1980s, the Soufflet Group expanded into Western Europe, and in the late 1990s, into Eastern Europe, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine. Today, the Soufflet Group employs nearly 7,000 people in 19 countries, with a presence in every stage of the grain value chain, from seed to bakery [[3]].
Family Legacy
Michel Soufflet’s son, Jean-Michel Soufflet, joined the business in 2001 and took over as head of the group. Together, the father-son duo built a global empire, staying true to their values of innovation, hard work, and independence. Despite their success, the Soufflets remained fiercely attached to their independence, until the acquisition by inVivo in 2021 [[2]].
Agricultural Industry Icon
Michel Soufflet’s legacy extends beyond his business empire. He was a champion of French agriculture and played a significant role in promoting French grain exports globally. His commitment to innovation and improvement has inspired generations of farmers, millers, and bakers, earning him the nickname “the king of grain” [[2]].
Acquisition by inVivo
In 2021, the Soufflet Group was acquired by inVivo, marking a new chapter in the company’s history [[3]]. This acquisition has further solidified the Soufflet Group’s position as a global leader in the agricultural industry.
the Soufflet father and son have left an indelible mark on the agricultural industry. Their story is one of entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and dedication to their craft. Michel Soufflet’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations of farmers, millers, and bakers, ensuring that the Soufflet Group remains a beacon of excellence in the global agricultural industry.
The Soufflet Legacy: Transforming a Small Grain Business into a Global Leader
In 60 years, Michel Soufflet and his son have transformed a small grain business in the Aube region of France into one of the world’s leading maltsters and one of the main French millers and bakers. Today, the Soufflet group employs nearly 7,000 people in 19 countries, covering the entire value chain from seed to bakery.
From Humble Beginnings to Grain Empire
Michel Soufflet, who passed away at the age of 94, built the first French grain trading giant [[1]][[2]][[3]]. He took over the small family cereal business in 1957 after his father’s death and quickly made his mark in his native Aube. “I was a driver, I was the handyman, I was the stopgap, there weren’t many of us at the time, there were seven of us,” Michel Soufflet told AFP in 2018.
Innovating and Expanding
Very quickly, Michel Soufflet sought to improve the harvest. He realized that if he provided a way to transport the harvest more economically, it would allow him to gain customers. He bought his first dump truck, capable of collecting at the foot of the combine harvester, and created a grain collection and transport service, from the field to the silo, to Rouen – the leading port for grain exports. Soufflet quickly built his first silo, his first malting house, and expanded. In the 1980s, the family business was already among the leading French grain exporters and opened subsidiaries in Western Europe, then in the late 1990s in the East, in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine.
Acquisition by inVivo in 2021
In 2021, Michel Soufflet and his son, Jean-Michel, who had been at the head of the group since 2001, decided to join forces with the union of agricultural cooperatives, inVivo. The acquisition, which was valued at over 2 billion euros ($2.2 billion), marked a new chapter in the Soufflet group’s history [[2]][[3]].
A Lasting Legacy
Michel Soufflet’s legacy is a testament to his innovative spirit and his commitment to the agricultural sector. His story serves as an inspiration to entrepreneurs and business leaders around the world, demonstrating that with hard work, determination, and a willingness to adapt, even the smallest of businesses can grow into a global leader.
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