September 3, 2007

Hy-Line expands poultry operations in France with acquisition

Hy-Line France has acquired the layer activities of Group Amice-Soquet (GAS), a French chicken producer.

Hy-Line France is the exclusive distributor of Hy-Line International's layer genetics in the French market. 

The sale of hatching eggs and day-old-chicks are the principal activities of Group Amice-Soquet (GAS), established since 1967. The GAS layer division has the oldest layer distribution system in France and is one of the largest in Europe

Under the acquisition, Hy-Line France and the layer activities of GAS will be combined into a new entity under the name of Hy-Line France.

This is a significant strategic acquisition for the company as it would strengthen the Hy-Line brand in France and provide increased access to Hy-Line genetics for French egg producers, the company said.

Through the acquisition, the company is looking forward to the rapid growth of the Hy-Line Brown and Hy-Line Rural products in the French market, said Hy-Line International's president and CEO, Dr John Greaves.

President of Hy-Line France, Loic Taillandier noted that this was a perfect time to make the acquisition.

Hy-Line has achieved a market share of 15 percent within only four years and the existing farm and breeding infrastructure has become the limiting factor for further growth, Taillandier said. 

This acquisition enables Hy-Line to operate with a modern and competitive production infrastructure that would fuel future growth, she said.