The history of Maison Ferrier
The 5 key dates in Maison FERRIER's history
Summarising 60 years of family history in one sentence:
Question yourself and adapt!
Follow us on this epic journey.
In 1958, Fernand FERRIER switched his pitchfork for a calculator: professional farmer, he started a fruit and vegetable shipping business to diversify his activities. His son Joseph joined him in this new adventure.
Alain, the grandson, joins the family business. Gradually, they move away from wholesale customers and focus on exports to Africa. To serve destinations such as Abidjan, Dakar and Ouagadougou, FERRIER had to review its product range, strengthen its collaboration with partner producers and redefine its quality requirements. These three areas are the core of FERRIER's DNA and are still part of our performance criteria today.
In 1992, Alain took over the business. His strategy was to refocus on the French market and the growth of mass retail. Thanks to its strong salad brand, Aladines, FERRIER became a supplier to the first Carrefour platform in Bondoufle in 1995. As the benchmark brand for this product, it quickly found its way onto the shelves of all major supermarket chains.
An important milestone in the history of Maison FERRIER: the move to 3400 Chemin Donné in Sénas.
Where we still are today.
Of course, the building continues to evolve as needs change.
From pitchfork to calculator
La philosophie
vision and values of Maison Ferrier are rooted in the family's history.
A visionary farmer
Fernand Ferrier, accompanied by his wife Solange, seized the opportunity presented by a changing world to start his fruit and vegetable shipping business in 1958. As a former farmer, he knew by heart the agricultural stakes: the uncertainties of harvests, the difficult years, a demand labor.
At the same time, he also knew the pride we feel in producing beautiful and tasty products. It meant understanding the time needed for crops to grow and knowing all the necessary steps involved. Agriculture is deeply rooted in nature and requires an essential ability to adapt.
All these qualities and this knowledge accompanied him in his new life as a merchant and proved to be real assets.
Alain, a pioneer at heart
Alain, Fernand's grandson, wanted to make Ferrier a leading supplier of fruit and vegetable. He was a pioneer in developing a modern and closed relationship with the company's partner producers. This relationship, based on respect and an understanding of contraints, probably owes much to his family background.
He realised early on that brands were the future: the success of Aladines, Soladines and Nectar de Provence proved him right.
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The vision
The longevity of family businesses is the result of a specific vision of the world in which they operate.
Maison FERRIER's vision is based on three main pillars:
The first pillar is its ability to recognise the end of commercial and entrepreneurial cycles early on, thereby anticipating change and responding to it in a fairly radical manner. Over the past 60 years, there have been six major periods during which FERRIER has undergone profound changes. The systematic re-evaluation of product ranges, standards and partnerships is part of Maison FERRIER's DNA.
The ability to surround oneself with the right people is Maison FERRIER's second strength. Human encounters, trust, respect and the quality of relationships are the foundation of the company's longevity.
Internally, it is the involvement of the teams that enables progress, development and performance. Generations and management teams come and go, but this vision is shared by all.
Finally, Maison FERRIER has a relevant and detailed understanding of developments in the fruit and vegetable sector. It is because it is at the heart of this sector that it can perceive all its subtleties!
The future of small and medium farms, which are Maison FERRIER's partners, is a real concern, and the support provided is essential in terms of both technical and economic assistance. AF ‘We like small and medium-sized farms, so we make sure that this network continues to thrive!’
The 6 cycles of Maison FERRIER
Values
unchanged since the company was founded
Although Maison FERRIER has gone through many stages and undergone profound changes, its values have remained the same over time. It is these values that consolidate each stage and enable the company to move on to the next.
Humanism is the first value we wish to share, as it determines all relationships both outside and within the company.
Our desire, even obsession, to unite, share and progress together, whether with our teams, our producer partners or stakeholders, stems from the central importance we place on human relationships.
The boldness to experiment and the courage to continuously improve. Engaging teams in a quality approach and investing in a different kind of relationship with producers, reveal this mindset.
Finally, the last shared value is passion. Passion for our work, for the people and for the fruit and vegetables we produce and sell.
Since 1958, we and our teams have been passionate about what we do!