GEA sells its ice machine activities in France
The GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft is selling its ice machine production in the French town of Les Sorinières, near Nantes, following a management buyout. A corresponding agreement was signed by GEA and Serge Vidal, whose responsibilities include being Head of Supply Chain and Production for ice machines at GEA in France.
Local employee representatives and the European Works Council were involved in the process. There are 30 employees working on the consolidated activities that fall under the scope of GEA Geneglace; in the future they will continue all ice machine activities under the direction of Serge Vidal. The turnover of the unit was around EUR 12.5 million in 2016.
GEA made the decision to sell for strategic reasons, as the Group is focusing increasingly on the production of complex technologies and solutions for sophisticated production processes, which will further strengthen the Group's position as a leading system provider in growth markets.
"We are pleased to be able to put the production of Geneglace into experienced hands. Our long-standing cooperation means that we are very familiar with Serge Vidal's qualities and are convinced that this solution also ensures the best possible continuity in the interests of customers," said Jürg Oleas, CEO of GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft.