Keelings announce that Keelings Fresh International have acquired another business, Caposud, as of 12th January 2024.
Caposud, located in the Rungis market in Paris, have operated for over 17 years as specialists in the sourcing and distribution of high quality, high value, fresh produce with a particular emphasis in avocados, citrus, pomegranates and grapes. This acquisition forms part of Keelings exciting growth strategy and builds upon the established business built by the team in France, since they opened a Keelings office in the Rungis market in 2015. Keelings Fresh International currently supply retail and wholesale customers with fresh produce, including the Keeling brand, in over 26 countries across Europe.
This acquisition will allow Keelings to further build strong strategic partnerships with new suppliers and customers, while improving synergies across logistics and operations. It will also broaden the Keelings product portfolio and increase volumes as they continue to build the Keelings brand and business across Europe.
Keelings will also move office to a 27,000 square ft building that Caposud were based in within the Rungis market, that will include both a warehouse facility and ample office space to cater to a growing Keelings team that will be based out of this location to service their retail and wholesale customers.
Keelings Fresh International will also welcome eleven new colleagues to their team, who will transition over from Caposud. Keelings are delighted that Eric Vallet, the former sole-owner of Caposud, will also work with Keelings on a consultancy basis over the next few years, bringing with him over 35 years of experience in the fresh produce industry.
Speaking on the recent acquisition, Eric Vallet, Caposud, Mathieu Leveque, Business Unit Director for Keelings International and Steven Fagg, CEO International commented;
Eric Vallet, Owner, Caposud
“I’m very proud to be part of the Keelings family. Caposud has been a great adventure. Great people have been with me all along the way. This new chapter will allow them to flourish once again.”
Mathieu Leveque, Business Unit Director, Keelings Fresh International
“With this new acquisition in Europe, The Keelings Group consolidates 13 years of really hard work from all our teams and marks the start of a new page in its history. I am excited to welcome all our new colleagues and warmly thank everyone involved in this great adventure so far. Without your talents, your energy, and your trust we would never have been so successful, and I look forward to leading this team, with all their passion to succeed into the next steps of our journey in Europe.”
Steven Fagg, CEO Keelings International
“It is really thrilling to see the continued expansion of our international activity which unlocks so many opportunities for Keelings. The addition of Caposud will further accelerate this momentum with new products, customers, operations and, most important of all, its team of experts. We very much welcome our new colleagues into the Keelings family.”
About Keelings
Keelings Fresh International operate as part of Keelings International. The Keelings group are a 98-year-old family business operating within the Fresh produce industry since 1926. Headquartered in Co. Dublin, Ireland, Keelings own and farm over 3,000 acres across Ireland, Costa Rica and Brazil. They source fresh produce from over 46 countries worldwide, supplying over 1000 customers and employ over 2,700 people, across 7 countries.