1950/60
A pioneering company
In 1954, Marcelin Bourdillon left Marseille to settle in Madagascar with his family. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and strong human values, he developed numerous businesses in agriculture (coffee, cocoa, rice, cashew nuts and essential oils) and in industry (Madrigal/rice company – Dipco), and imported and distributed flour, cement and agricultural equipment.
1960/80
Business takes off in the Indian Ocean
Business growth in Réunion and Mauritius:
Environmental services: import, storage and distribution of agricultural and industrial products, petroleum products and derivatives, with Sigloi (1964), Coroi Réunion (1968), Coroi Mauritius (1974) and then Sier (1977).
In 1975, Madagascar became the Democratic Republic of Madagascar after a regime change. The group’s companies were nationalised in 1976 and the Marcelin Bourdillon’s family was forced to leave the island and move back to Marseille.
1980/2000
The marbour group emerges
1987: upon the death of Marcelin Bourdillon, his three children decided to manage the businesses in the form of subsidiaries. This was the start of the marbour group, now under the management of Jean Bourdillon.
In 1997, marbour Foods acquired Soboriz (rice) and SPHB (cooking oil, sold in 2016) on Réunion Island.
1998: controlling stake in Craf, leading rice producer in the French Caribbean.
2 business activities: environmental services and foods.
2000/2010
Foods: becoming one of the leading rice producers in Europe
2003: acquisition of Van Sillevoldt Rijst BV (VSR BV) in the Netherlands, with a production capacity of over 100,000 tonnes per year.
2005: acquisition of Rol Ryz (Poland), with a capacity of 15,000 tonnes per year, increased to 60,000 tonnes.
2006: creation of Inariz (Côtes d’Armor), a plant for ready-to-eat rice production, packaged in sachets or cups.
2010 / 2014
Development of new activities in foods and environmental services
Foods: 2010: acquisition of FEI (Wales) to strengthen Inariz’s expertise and production capacities, making marbour one of the leaders on the UK instant rice market.
Environmental services: water treatment in Mauritius and Réunion, creation of Logysmar in 2010 (logistics solutions) and MCS (implementation and management of water treatment for the Ambatovy mining complex in Madagascar).
2011: acquisition of Edena (Réunion), leader in bottled water, with activities in the soft drinks market (sold in 2016).
2015
Foods : acquisition of MRRM Inc (Canada)
Dainty Foods: rice producer since 1882.
Capacity of 50,000 tonnes of rice.
The Windsor site mills and packs both dry and canned ready-to-eat rice under its Dainty brand, and also produces for private labels. The company also sells bulk rice and rice flour to food industries.
2016 / 2018
Sites in Italy and creation of Epureau
Environmental services: Majority holding in Epureau New Caledonia and creation of Epureau Ivory Coast.
These companies specialise in engineering and the implementation of wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities for local authorities and industry. They also provide service contracts for industry.
Controlling stake in Cereal Food & Nice Food.
Expansion of ready-to-eat rice activities, rice cakes (Cereal Food) and extruded rice snacks (Nice Food).
2016: Partnership with the Colussi Group, under which marbour took over management of GARIBOLDI (Italy).
GARIBOLDI has a capacity of 45,000 tonnes, specialised in parboiling and milling paddy (unmilled rice with the husk on).