Agromousquetaires, the agri-food subsidiary of Groupement Mousquetaires, has completed the sale of its Plozévet site, in Finistère, to Groupe Gendreau. Founded in 1877 and part of the Mousquetaires group since 1988, this historic Breton cannery, previously operated under the Capitaine Cook brand, has been trading under a new name since 1 July 2026: La Conserverie Bigoudène. The transaction brings together two complementary players in the seafood industry around a shared industrial project that preserves 100% French production and local expertise in the regions.
Advised by AURIS Finance as sell-side adviser, Agromousquetaires is thus continuing to refocus its portfolio of industrial activities.
A recognised industrial site in the heart of the Pays Bigouden
Located on a 28,000 m² plot that includes a 10,000 m² industrial building, the site employs 126 people and produces nearly 20 million cans a year, from around 200 tonnes of sardines processed annually. Awarded the “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant” (Living Heritage Company) label, it has recognised expertise in the selection and processing of seafood, based on know-how passed down from generation to generation.
The choice of buyer was based on Groupe Gendreau’s commitment to securing the site’s jobs over the long term and to delivering an ambitious development project. This project also meets the Groupement’s requirements in terms of product quality and its values.
Groupe Gendreau: a well-established player in the seafood industry
Based in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, in Vendée, Groupe Gendreau operates in the processing and marketing of canned food. Its development, historically linked to France’s maritime regions, is based on preserving traditional craftsmanship and maintaining local employment.
This momentum has been built through several external growth transactions: Océaniques, whose sale was advised by AURIS Finance, Vif Argent, Le Grand Lejon and then Petit Pierre, acquisitions that have consolidated its positions in canned mackerel, tuna salads, tuna in sauce and ready meals in trays. In 2019, the Group also created La Belle Alliance, a fishing vessel operator dedicated to sustaining the local fishing industry, which now has two pelagic sardine boats.
The arrival of La Conserverie Bigoudène expands the family group’s capabilities with new ranges of sardines, tuna, and rillettes in cans and jars, as well as soups and sauces, with the stated ambition of increasing the site’s annual production to 35 to 40 million cans.
A refocusing transaction for Agromousquetaires
This sale is part of the refocusing strategy undertaken by Agromousquetaires around raw or minimally processed products. Conducted responsibly, it aims to ensure the continuity of the Plozévet site’s activity within a leading industrial player with the capabilities needed to support its development. The transaction also reflects Agromousquetaires’ commitment to favouring takeover projects that safeguard know-how and preserve local employment. The transaction was completed following a structured competitive process organised by the AURIS Finance teams.
The role of AURIS Finance
AURIS Finance acted as exclusive adviser to Groupement Mousquetaires. This mandate continues the firm’s work alongside Groupement Mousquetaires, following in particular the sale of Keranna Productions to Cité Marine. This new transaction confirms the commitment and expertise of the AURIS Finance teams in sale and industrial carve-out transactions in the agri-food sector.
