AG Thames is changing the name of its UK subsidiary CPM Retail to Soloberry to align the business with the group’s Spanish arm and bring all of its berry activities under one brand.
The move, which will take effect from 1 December, follows the continued success of Soloberry SL, based in Moguer, Andalusia. Founded in 2013, the Spanish business has thrived, selling direct to clients across Europe.
In the past year, the company has added stonefruit to its portfolio, linking its customers, growers, breeding and investment projects further.
Expansion plans in North Africa, South America, Eastern Europe and Asia will see the business become one single international berry company.
As part of the change, Begnat Robichaud, the former general manager of CPM, will become managing director of Soloberry, with Graham Blake, formerly the general manager of Soloberry SL, moving to a non-executive role to support the transition.
“I am excited about the changes that I believe will drive the company to go forward as one, a stronger combined team, able to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead,” said Blake. “We have an owner committed to success, and there is big potential to deliver for our customers, growers and breeding partners.
Robichaud added: “Our combined management team has a mixture of youth and experience with unsurpassed depth of industry knowledge and a clear understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities.
'From being a business selling exclusively in UK, we now have activity in all European markets, and initial sales into the developing Asian markets which expands almost daily.”
