F. Ménard sells its own brand of bacon through Quebec supermarkets. F. Ménard photo

MONTREAL – La Coop fédérée and its Olymel and Sollio Agriculture divisions have received approval to proceed with the acquisition of all assets of F. Ménard in the pork and milling sectors.

Two leaders in the agri-food sector can now join forces. Canada’s Competition Bureau approved the plan to acquire all the assets of F. Ménard, in Montérégie, Que. The transaction was expected to close on Jan. 6.

“By acquiring F. Ménard, Olymel and Sollio Agriculture will provide Canada with one of the biggest agri-food companies in both the meat and milling sectors. This acquisition strengthens our ability to compete with world-class companies and consolidate our position in domestic and international markets,” said Ghislain Gervais, president of La Coop fédérée.

F. Ménard employs more than 1,200 people and is specialized in the production, processing and marketing of pork meat as well as in milling activities. With an annual production exceeding 1.1- million hogs, the company accounts for more than 15 per cent of Quebec’s pork production.

The transaction includes hog farms, pork processing and further processing plants, two specialized butcher shops and a transport fleet, as well as two mills.

Luc Ménard, executive director of F. Ménard, said the transaction is “the best possible solution for the continued growth of the company to which our family has dedicated its heart and soul for nearly 60 years.”

He continued: “On behalf of my family, I would like to thank all the employees of F. Ménard who have contributed so much to building the company of which we are so proud.”

Ménard will remain with the company to ensure a smooth transition.

F. Ménard is a family business founded by Fulgence Ménard in 1961 and developed by three generations of entrepreneurs from the same family for nearly 60 years to become one of Quebec’s pork processing leaders. The company has developed a business model that ensures control of all stages of the production chain from the farm to the consumer’s table.

F. Ménard products are distributed both domestically and internationally, particularly in Japan.

The Quebec pork producer is merging with La Coop fédérée, the largest agri-food company in Quebec.