When did the company start ?

Our family comes from Solliès-Pont (Var), the land of the famous and only AOC fig. The company was founded in 1850 by my ancestor, Omer Decugis. He set up in Lyon at first before coming to Paris where he was a broker. He was the first to sell on commission. One of his two sons, Alfred, succeeded from him in 1880 and he in turn passed the business on to his son, Omer. Then my father, Paul Omer-Decugis, managed the business from 1930 to 1970. Highly competent and very attached to the profession he was president of the employers’ federation of fruit and vegetable wholesalers for forty years. I myself joined the company in 1968 and I took over from him two years later. My son Vincent joined me in 2001. He is currently deputy managing director in charge of sourcing, diversification and managing the sales team. Representing the 6th generation, he will succeed me as chairman of the group.

How did the move from Les Halles de Paris to Rungis go ?

The move was done on 3 March 1969 and everything went very well. Rungis came into being at the initiative of Mr Libert Bou with whom my father had many meetings to obtain the necessary compensations for fruit and vegetable wholesalers. There were 875 wholesalers in Paris and only 420 came to Rungis. We only number 140 today. The unloading platforms, the new handling tools, computers, controlled temperature storage, the logistics, the daytime working hours have all really improved the profession.

What is the company’s activity ?

When I started in 1968, I was responsible for computers and the development of product procurement in France and abroad. When I became deputy managing director, I set up SIIM (fruit and vegetable imports and wholesale) in 1978, with a very important shareholder, Mr Félix Houphoüet Boigny, the president of the Ivory Coast.
The first product sold was pineapples from the Ivory Coast, an excellent product, shipped by sea or air, as well as pineapples from Cameroon and Ghana.
Later, we purchased Lachiaille, then Bratigny SAS, importing exotic fruit like plantains where we are number on in France, mangos (West Africa), passion fruit and more traditional products like string beans from Kenya by air (clipped or in bulk), citrus fruit, ratatouille vegetables, etc. We are one of the largest banana ripeners on the Market (10 chambers and 10,000 tons/year with 75% Martinique, 15% Ivory Coast, 10% Colombia). We have 130 listed products in our line.

Who is your clientele ?

Generally speaking, we have a rather upmarket clientele. SIIM concentrates 75% of its activity outside France. The clientele is large importers and central purchasing agencies from the 27 EU countries and Russia, delivered from Antwerp or Rotterdam. The remaining 25% goes to French central purchasing agencies. As for the Lachiaille-Bratigny clients, they are itinerant markets (35%), market stallholders (30%), mass distribution (20%) and the catering trade (15%).

What is your strategy for development?

The company’s development strategy first involves organic growth but does not exclude external growth operations. Any interesting opportunity will be closely examined, while bearing in mind that people are what make a company valuable and this is particularly true in our professions.

What is your opinion of the fruit and vegetables market?

This relatively hard market can grow if backed by a thorough communication action, like the banana. It needs to be more segmented to create demand and expand consumption. In twenty years, the tonnage has dropped and we have to market new products. However, I do see it doing better, notably with exotic products.

What do you think of Rungis Market ?

Generally speaking, this market is a success and Rungis is unique in its attractiveness. It is known worldwide for the quality of its fresh produce and vast range. However, we have to deal with certain constraints, notably the amount of the rents and charges. Any increase should be reasonable and negotiated by the trade and the Rungis Market administrator.