Dominique Rassinier, 60, started out in banking following studies at the Paris Chamber of Commerce. A career as legal agent for an American bank came to a halt in 1976 due to a series of reengineering measures…

At the time, his father-in-law Roger Lagneau, who was Director of FrugiSol, a Rungis-based fruit and vegetables trading company, asked him to install an IT system… Dominique Rassinier was first taken on for a short contract, and went on to become Director when his father-in-law retired in 1981. "In 1985, Air France was looking for fruit and vegetable deliveries, so we created Frugi-Services. Then, in 1988, the airline asked us to produce fruit baskets. It was a real challenge, and remains so today. The CEO of Air France, Mr Bernard Attali himself, came to visit our premises, which at the time were down in the basement. We now have spacious, functional facilities qualified to EU standards. Having started out with just two staff, we now employ 35, some of whom have been with us for a very long time, and everyone deploys a highly professional approach." Cyril Rassinier, who joined 12 years ago, is marketing director. Cyril was a top-level athlete (twice French synchronized trampoline champion, and four world championship events), and he created a high-performance site to showcase the company's produce. The site supplies 95% of airline catering, delicatessens, semi-wholesalers, companies (in the events and shows sector), palaces, top-notch hotels… and even the French Parliament via a well-renowned delicatessen.

All quality and staff issues are managed by Christophe Delacour whose role becomes increasingly crucial with the major end-of-year orders (20,000 baskets in 10 days for a major chain store). The company also offers delivery services and runs the Hédiard brand. "We created the Décofruits concept to meet private and business market needs: births, birthdays, gifts, seminars, guest supplies, etc. We cover over a thousand orders a day, 50% of which is in the high-end bracket. Our product panel covers baskets of berry fruits through vegetable compositions for buffets and fusions of wide-ranging seasonal and exotic produce. As an agrifoods showcase, Rungis Market is just like a fruit basket: all the best products together in the same place".