From now on, customers across France will be supplied directly from Aviagen France, whose office is located in Beaucouzé, near Angers. As well as the office, the company now owns a hatchery and 14 grandparent (GP) farms. All employees that were involved in GFA's GP operations have transferred to Aviagen France.

The company will be led by Thierry Rolland, who will take up the position of Business Unit Manager in mid-May. Mr Rolland has been involved in the poultry industry for almost 25 years, the vast majority of this time within the broiler industry, working with birds of all generations. He has significant experience of primary breeding companies, having spent 18 years with ISA and Hubbard. For the last four years, he has been General Manager for an animal nutrition company, where he has been instrumental in the growth of the company, in terms of market share, size and profit.

The co-ordination and provision of technical service will also be locally supplied and will be the responsibility of Gérard Munsch, newly-appointed Technical Service Manager. Mr Munsch has been involved in the French poultry industry for over 20 years, mainly working for primary breeding companies. For the last 13 years, he has been providing technical service for company-owned and customer grandparent and great grandparent (GGP) flocks, and has extensive experience in all areas of flock management.

Mr Munsch will report directly to Mr Rolland but will work closely with the wider Aviagen European technical team and will have the back-up of Aviagen's global network of specialists in areas such as nutrition, health and incubation.

Brian Whittle, Aviagen's President of European Operations, commented: "Aviagen France SAS is a welcome addition to our European production network. Our mini product, the Ross PM3, has a proven track record of success in the market through the good work done by Grelier over many years. They have provided us with an excellent platform from which to further develop the relationships with our French customer base, which will, for the first time, be able to utilise the unrivalled support, technical service and genetics directly from Aviagen."

Alain Noel, Directeur Général or Groupe Grelier, added: "We have had an excellent relationship lasting over 20 years with Aviagen and I am delighted that we have been able to commence this project, which will be to the benefit of all concerned. Our relationship with Aviagen will continue as a Parent Stock customer and I am confident that Ross products will continue to offer maximum returns to our business through the increased experience, support and expertise that Aviagen offers."