Rémi Souchon manages Udivel, a beverage wholesaler employing 28 people in brand-new premises in Solignac-sur-Loire. It is now owned by the Souchon Boissons Services group, based in the Loire region, which has made it a priority to perpetuate an economic and social model that supports local businesses and employment in the Velay region, an area with many advantages.
Is the Souchon Boissons Services group primarily a family story?
Rémi Souchon: Yes! The company was founded in 1922 in Firminy by my great-grandfather, who was originally from the Haute-Loire region. As a side note, he was a baker by trade and ran the Pertuis bakery! He decided to take over the business before passing it on to my father. It grew in the 90s when it became well-known in Saint-Étienne; the Rouchon family from Pont-Salomon was involved. In fact, it was called Rouchon-Souchon for over 22 years. In 2012, the company became Souchon Boissons Services. We acquired the company Udivel at the end of December 2017.
Have other acquisitions also been made?
Rémi Souchon: Yes. In Haute-Loire, eight years ago we took over the Gilles Crespy company in Monastier-sur-Gazeille and the Verdier company in Boussoulet, which were small local distributors. Bayer Beverages and the Vellavia brewery are our most recent acquisitions.
What does the Souchon Boissons Services group represent today?
Rémi Souchon: Approximately 110 people work for the Souchon Boissons Services group. Just over 80 are based at the Ricamarie site in the Loire region, and 28 at the Udivel site in Solignac-sur-Loire. This number can reach up to 130 across both sites during the summer months. As a side note, about fifty years ago, there was a beverage merchant in every town and village. There might have been a wine merchant or a coffee merchant. It's worth mentioning that my grandparents made lemonade.
What prompted the group to take over Udivel?
Rémi Souchon: Actually, there are only 65-70 km between the Solignac-sur-Loire depot and our La Ricamarie site. We seized the opportunity to take over Udivel because there was no succession plan within the company. This makes perfect sense today for the group, which operates in two departments. It's important to have a depot in both the Loire and Velay regions to leverage proximity and be responsive to our customers.
With what objectives?
Rémi Souchon: First, I'd like to say a word about the three words that make up our group's name. Souchon is our name, Boissons (Beverages) refers to our business, which is beverage wholesale, and the concept of service is simply our raison d'être. We're here to help them, advise them, and provide support when needed. Being a beverage wholesaler requires a lot of logistics. Here, we manage 2.000 different products, and 3.000 at the Souchon Boissons site. We travel to Saugues, Langogne, Yssingeaux, and as far as Fix. Beer represents 45% of our revenue.
A word about the Solignac-sur-Loire depot?
Rémi Souchon: Previously, we rented the old warehouse, which was about sixty years old. The building had seen better days, and our business had also evolved. So we decided to invest in new premises. Today, we have a 3.200 m² building on a 10.000 m² plot. There are 400 m² of offices and staff areas, and 500 m² of loading dock space. Over 2.000 m² are dedicated to storage in a 10-meter-high building. We wanted to improve working conditions for our teams with this new building, which has allowed us to employ 90% local businesses.
And all this in an eco-responsible way?
Rémi Souchon: Yes. We're in passive buildings facing due south to capture solar energy. They're very well insulated, with walls over 50 cm thick in the offices. We also have an air handling unit that's equivalent to a double-flow mechanical ventilation system. Last December, we recorded -12°C outside, 10°C in the unheated warehouse, and 22°C in the offices. We also collect the glass that was wasted from our customers before sending it to a glass manufacturer. Finally, I should mention that 60% of our products are returnable, whether it's the drums or the crates.
With a rather unusual reception area?
Rémi Souchon: Yes. We wanted to offer a rather unique welcome, somewhat like a shop or showroom, allowing us to present our very wide range of wines, spirits, and beers to customers, whether they are world-renowned or craft-brewed. It's a way to keep them entertained while they wait.
Any plans for the future?
Rémi Souchon: Today our goal is to ensure the long-term viability of the Udivel company, to preserve the jobs and the activity we have in the Puy-en-Velay area.
What do you see as the strengths of the Velay region?
Rémi Souchon: The fact that people here love their region is important to them. I completely identify with this in my way of being and working, and in my commitment to employing local people. I have nothing against multinational corporations, but I think each of us should consider the local aspect to ensure the sustainability of businesses and jobs.
Originally from Saint-Étienne, I have to admit that life in the Haute-Loire region is quite pleasant. We're close to nature, and it's a good place to live. The people are very welcoming, in a department that's very popular with tourists.
Practical information
📍 UDIVEL – Alcoholic beverage wholesaler in Solignac-sur-Loire – Le Fangeas 43370 Solignac-sur-Loire
📞 04 71 09 59 68
📲 Facebook Udivel Drinks
Themes
