Home / News / Africa: CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre counsel to the...

Africa: CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre counsel to the Vilgrain family and the SOMDIAA company on the creation of a leading group in the agro-industrial sector

13/07/2010


The corporate groups of the Castel and Vilgrain families decided to form a partnership involving SOMDIAA, through a merger of that company's business with that of the SUCAF companies (subsidiaries of the Castel group) so as to create a leading organisation in the agro-industrial sector in Sub-Saharan Africa. This agreement should come into full effect over the coming months, after review by the relevant regional authority (CEMAC).

By combining their skills and their many kinds of know-how, the new structure will be a key figure in the sugar industry, while still enabling the sectors of flour, animal feed and cotton to be developed, as well as all other agro-industrial sectors in Africa.

The family shareholders on both sides are delighted with the creation of the partnership, which brings the prospect of significant growth as well as new challenges.

There will be changes to SOMDIAA's board so that the respective shareholdings of each of the two family groups are represented. Mr Alexandre Vilgrain will remain CEO and Managing Director of SOMDIAA.

CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre was counsel to the Vilgrain family and SOMDIAA in respect of these operations, with Pierre Marly (partner) assisted by Nicole Marielle (associate) of the Africa department, and Jean Guilmoto (partner) and Nicolas Riou (associate) of the tax department.

Serge Tatar and Renaud Rossa of the firm Gide Loyrette Nouel were counsel to the Castel group.

For further information, please contact :
CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre
Florence Jouffroy / Tel: +33 1 47 38 40 32
Laetitia Mostowski / Tel: +33 1 47 38 40 74

Related people

Pierre Marly
Jean Guilmoto