The executives of Groupe Robitaille and Olymel L.P. have announced the signing of an agreement in principle to enter into a business partnership in Aliments Lucyporc of Yamachiche, in the St. Maurice Valley region of Quebec. Aliments Lucyporc, a hog slaughtering, butchering and processing firm owned by Groupe Robitaille, would be equally owned by Groupe Robitaille and Olymel through an exchange of shares. The joint venture would continue to operate under the name Aliments Lucyporc. This agreement in principle encompasses the hog slaughtering, butchering, processing and pork products marketing sectors, as well as Viandes Dunham, a meat processing company serving the hotel, restaurant and institutional (HRI) sector which is owned by Groupe Robitaille. This partnership agreement will be subject to approval by the Competition Bureau.
Apart the farms belonging to Groupe Robitaille which would continue to supply the Aliments Lucyporc plant according to the demanding specifications for the production of distinctive niche products, this agreement does not affect other activities in which Olymel and Groupe Robitaille are involved. Aliments Lucyporc employs over 350 persons at its Yamachiche processing plant, while Viandes Dunham has more than 30 employees. These jobs will be maintained. Aliments Lucyporc specializes in quality niche products such as Nagano pork, and exports much of its production to Japan and several other countries under different brands.