To start, can you tell us about your journey with Lesaffre?
I joined Lesaffre in Shanghai in 2013, where I managed the “Greater China” region, consisting of two factories producing yeast, yeast extracts, and ingredients for bakers. We increased their production capacities and improved their performance. In 2015, we had the opportunity to acquire a third plant for yeast and yeast extracts.
From 2016 to 2023, I headed the Latin America region, which included five yeast plants and six ingredient workshops. We continued to develop production capacities, improved product quality, built three liquid sourdough workshops, acquired a plant, and eventually launched the construction of a new yeast factory in Brazil. This latest facility was designed based on circular economy principles.
Now as General Manager at Ennolys, do you recognize any shared values with the Lesaffre Group?
Absolutely! At Ennolys, we embody the many values of the Lesaffre Group: passion, humility, entrepreneurial spirit, trust, and respect. To me, two values stand out the most.
First, “the entrepreneurial spirit”, which is evident in the versatility of our workshops and teams, as well as the diversity of applications we serve.
Second, “humility”, which is key when facing the complexity of our fermentation and post-treatment processes. I believe humility is not only a value but also a strength that enables us to grow and innovate.
What are Ennolys’ ambitions for the coming years?
Over the decades, we have built a unique expertise in fermentation and post-treatment, developed high-performance production workshops, and honed exceptional technical skills. Now, our ambition is to fully realize the value of these investments. This includes expanding our contract manufacturing activity and innovating to diversify our product portfolio. As a key Business Unit (BU) specializing in bacterial fermentation, we also aim to continue offering our production services to other Lesaffre Group BUs.
What are the advantages of working within a group like Lesaffre?
There are numerous advantages!
First, the “purpose” – contributing to Lesaffre’s mission, “Working together to better nourish and protect the planet,” gives true meaning to what we do.
Second, the “impact” – helping to “reveal the infinite potential of micro-organisms and fermentation” is both a real and exciting promise to work toward.
The strength of the group, which has been an industrial and family-driven enterprise for 170 years, along with its investment capabilities and commitment to useful innovation, inspires great confidence in our future.
Additionally, the group’s values and collaborative approach shine in the way we collectively build sustainable solutions. This structure enables everyone to play a meaningful role on a global scale.
We are both a company large enough to make the world a better place and small enough, with agile entrepreneurial teams, to stay close to our markets and regions. By doing so, we encourage our employees to constantly reinvent how we operate.
Our culture revolves around the sharing of ideas and attentive listening. In this spirit, we offer everyone the freedom to express themselves and shape their own career paths.
