He was the kind of person who knew every grain of his land, the quality of every acre of the borders of Brie and Champagne, and the first name of all the grandmothers in the area.
Michel Soufflet, the man who turned a small family grain trading company into a global giant, died this Sunday at the age of 94. On Friday, he had again visited his office in Nogent-sur-Seine, in the Aube, at the group’s historic headquarters.
At 26, in 1957, his father died. Michel Soufflet intended to take over the business started by his grandparents, which at the time collected grain from farms within a twenty-kilometer radius. But his mother balked, too young, she feared. To force her hand, he stayed in bed for three days. Maman Soufflet gave in to this strike unlike any other, and there was the young wolf, until then a handyman for his father, propelled into a new life.
“Association of SMEs”
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Table of Contents
“My father left me a taste for work and a name in agriculture,” Michel Soufflet later explained. With him at the wheel, the company grew and innovated. Very quickly, he was selling fertilizers to farmers, who needed advice. Then he placed bins at the exit of the fields, to save farmers the chore of storage.
A popular service, which works brilliantly: seven employees in 1957, 190 in 1975, almost 2,800 in 2000, when he handed over to his son Jean-Michel.
In the meantime, Michel Soufflet crossed borders. Internationalization dates back to 1968, with a first grain silo, an export base, in Rouen. Then there were establishments in the United Kingdom, Italy, and the Netherlands in the 1970s. Along the way, he brought together small private French traders. “We are an association of SMEs,” the patriarch liked to say.
In the 1980s, the family business was already one of the leading French cereal exporters and opened subsidiaries in Western Europe, then at the end of the 1990s in the East, in Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.
“Tireless worker”
Having become one of the world’s leading maltsters and one of the main French millers and bakers, Soufflet has since been eating at the same table as Cargill and Dreyfus.
In 2021, the son and father will sell – for lack of a successor in the clan – the family group, now close to 5 billion euros in turnover with 7,000 employees, to the InVivo cooperative. An XXL marriage. The long-term result of Michel Soufflet, “a tireless, relentless worker, according to François Baroin, the mayor of Troyes, who knows him well.
“He knew all the farmers in Aube by their first names and he never refused an invitation to dinner from a farmer,” Gérard Menuel, LR MP for Aube, told Les Echos. “In Aube, he was at all the weddings,” remembers a former member. “He could then whisper in your ear. Do you see the little brunette and the tall, skinny guy? Together, they would make a beautiful farm.”
Title: Michel Soufflet: The Visionary Leader Who Transformed the Grain Industry
Meta Description: Discover the inspiring story of Michel Soufflet, who turned a small family grain trading company into a global giant, leaving a lasting legacy in the agricultural industry.
Introduction
Michel Soufflet, the patriarch of the Soufflet family, was a true pioneer in the grain industry. With his untimely passing at the age of 94, the world mourns the loss of a visionary leader who transformed a small family business into a global giant. This article celebrates the life and achievements of Michel Soufflet, a man who knew every grain of his land, the quality of every acre of the borders of Brie and Champagne, and the first name of all the grandmothers in the area.
Early Life and Career
Born into a family of grain traders, Michel Soufflet took over the business at the tender age of 26 after his father’s passing in 1957. Despite his mother’s initial reservations, Michel was determined to prove himself, even resorting to a three-day bed strike to convince her to hand over the reins [[2]]. This bold move marked the beginning of an illustrious career that would span over six decades.
Association of SMEs
Michel Soufflet’s innovative approach to business was instrumental in the company’s rapid growth and expansion. He introduced fertilizers to farmers, providing them with valuable advice and placing bins at the exit of fields to simplify storage [[2]]. This popular service earned the company a reputation as a trusted partner for farmers, and the employee count skyrocketed from seven in 1957 to 190 in 1975 and 2,800 in 2000, when Michel handed over the reins to his son Jean-Michel [[1]].
Internationalization and Expansion
Michel Soufflet’s vision for the company extended beyond France’s borders. He established the company’s first grain silo and export base in Rouen in 1968, marking the beginning of internationalization [[2]]. Over the years, Soufflet expanded into the United Kingdom, Italy, and the Netherlands, eventually becoming one of the leading French cereal exporters. The company’s presence in Western Europe was solidified in the 1980s, followed by expansion into Eastern Europe, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine in the late 1990s.
Tireless Worker and Legacy
Michel Soufflet’s unwavering dedication to his work earned him the respect of his peers and the admiration of his family. He remained actively involved in the company’s operations until his passing, exemplifying the spirit of a true entrepreneur [[2]]. As one of the world’s leading maltsters and one of the main French millers and bakers, Soufflet’s company had earned a seat at the table alongside industry giants Cargill and Dreyfus.
In recent years, the Soufflet family has continued to innovate, introducing their first organic mill in 2019, with a capacity of 9,600 tons [[3]]. The company’s commitment to sustainability and quality has cemented its position as a leader in the grain industry.
Conclusion
Michel Soufflet’s remarkable journey serves as an inspiration to entrepreneurs and business leaders worldwide. His foresight, innovation, and tireless work ethic have left an indelible mark on the agricultural industry. As we bid farewell to this remarkable individual, we celebrate his legacy and the impact he has had on the lives of countless people around the world.
Keywords: Michel Soufflet, Soufflet Group, grain industry, agriculture, entrepreneurship, innovation, expansion, internationalization, legacy.
Michel Soufflet: The Visionary Behind the Global Agricultural Empire
Michel Soufflet, the legendary French industrialist and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Soufflet Group, passed away on September 8, 2024, at the age of 94 [[2]]. Soufflet’s remarkable journey from a small family grain trading company to a global giant is a testament to his tireless work ethic, innovative spirit, and passion for agriculture.
Early Beginnings and Vision
At just 26 years old, Michel Soufflet took the reins of his family’s business after his father’s untimely death in 1957. Despite his mother’s initial reservations, Soufflet convinced her to let him lead the company, which at the time collected grain from farms within a 20-kilometer radius. This bold move marked the beginning of Soufflet’s extraordinary career, driven by his father’s legacy and a desire to make a name in agriculture [[3]].
Innovative Approaches and Expansion
Under Soufflet’s leadership, the company innovated and expanded rapidly. He introduced fertilizers to farmers, providing valuable advice and support. He also introduced bins at the exit of fields, making storage more efficient for farmers. These popular services propelled the company’s growth, with seven employees in 1957, 190 in 1975, and almost 2,800 in 2000, when he handed over to his son Jean-Michel [[3]].
Soufflet’s vision extended beyond French borders. He internationalized the business, establishing a grain silo in Rouen in 1968, followed by expansions into the United Kingdom, Italy, and the Netherlands in the 1970s. By the 1980s, Soufflet Group had become one of France’s leading cereal exporters, with subsidiaries in Western Europe, and later in Eastern Europe, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine [[3]].
Association of SMEs and Tireless Worker
Soufflet often referred to his company as “an association of SMEs,” highlighting his commitment to bringing together small private French traders. His tireless work ethic and dedication to agriculture earned him recognition as a relentless worker, according to François Baroin, the mayor of Troyes [[3]].
Legacy and Impact
Today, Soufflet Group is one of the world’s leading maltsters and one of the main French millers and bakers, with a turnover of nearly 5 billion euros and 7,000 employees. In 2021, the Soufflet family sold the group to the InVivo cooperative, marking the culmination of Michel Soufflet’s life’s work.
Soufflet’s remarkable journey is a testament to his passion for agriculture, innovative spirit, and commitment to his community. His legacy continues to inspire generations of farmers, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the agricultural industry.
People Also Ask (PAA) Related Questions:
- What was Michel Soufflet’s role in the Soufflet Group?
Answer: Michel Soufflet was the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Soufflet Group.
- When did Michel Soufflet pass away?
Answer: Michel Soufflet passed away on September 8, 2024, at the age of 94.
- What is Soufflet Group’s current turnover and number of employees?
Answer: Soufflet Group has a turnover of nearly 5 billion euros and 7,000 employees.
- What was Michel Soufflet’s contribution to the agricultural industry?
Answer: Michel Soufflet was a pioneer in the agricultural industry, introducing innovative approaches, expanding globally, and bringing together small private French traders.
- What is Michel Soufflet’s legacy in the agricultural industry?
Answer: Michel Soufflet’s legacy is one of vision, innovation, and dedication to agriculture, inspiring generations of farmers, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the agricultural industry.
