Copains

Copains.group is a Belgian bakery and pastry company focused on bringing authentic and locally sourced products to market. The company's history traces back to 1964 with a family bakery run by Raymond Beck. In 2015, Olivier de Cartier and a partner took over from the nearly 80-year-old Beck, preserving the simple and natural recipes. After a merger in 2017 with the Le Cygne bakery, run by Fred and Guillaume, to form LCB Bakery, the company rebranded to Copains.group in 2020. Olivier de Cartier, who serves as CEO, transitioned from a career in consulting to rejuvenate the bakery market with a focus on local, collaborative, and healthy products.

Copains.group operates primarily on a B2B model, supplying its bread and pastries to large retailers and communities such as hospitals and retirement homes. Its client list includes major supermarkets like Delitraiteur, Match, Intermarché, and Delhaize. The business model emphasizes a "multilocal" approach, maintaining a maximum 70 km radius between suppliers and clients to minimize environmental impact. A significant aspect of their operation is the commitment to local sourcing, with 100% of their wheat being Belgian, a notable feat given that only one in ten loaves in Belgium is made with domestic wheat. In 2021, the company expanded into pastries by acquiring Pâtisserie Richard, a group founded in 1974.

The company's product line includes a variety of breads, such as traditional baguettes, multigrain loaves, and abbey-style breads like Floreffe. They also offer pastries, with a goal to fully localize the pastry supply chain as they have with baking. All products are handmade by their bakers and pastry chefs. Copains.group has experienced significant growth, multiplying its turnover by seven and its staff by ten in a few years, with a reported turnover of over 12 million euros and more than 120 employees. The company has received financial support from Walloon investment bodies, including IMBC, Sambrinvest, and SRIW, as well as the Réseau Entreprendre Wallonie.

Keywords: Belgian bakery, B2B food supplier, local sourcing, sustainable bakery, artisanal bread, wholesale pastry, retail food distribution, Delhaize supplier, Intermarché supplier, authentic baking, Olivier de Cartier, LCB Bakery, Pâtisserie Richard, Wallonia food industry, community catering, supermarket bakery supplier, eco-responsible production, Belgian wheat, handmade bread, food supply chain