CAP Solutions 7471

CAP SOLUTIONS CULINAIRES

TAILOR-MADE SAUCES

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CAP SOLUTIONS CULINAIRES

I PROFILE

CAP Solutions Culinaires is a provider of tailor-made culinary solutions, including sauces, marinades, garnishes and compound butters. Sales Manager Caroline Catroux and Export Sales Manager Emilie Guerin discussed meeting the demands of international customers from both industrial and food service sectors. Report by Antonia Cole. ounded in 1976, CAP Solutions

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capabilities. Having invested over €10

Culinaires has expanded signifi-

million into production area and industrial

cantly over the years, Sales

tools, the company has come a really

Manager Caroline Catroux said: “In the

long way, now generating an annual

beginning, our clients were primarily from

turnover of €48 million. 20 per cent

the meat industry. Now, we work across

of which is within the export market.”

almost all food sectors, from seafood to sweets. The company has evolved into

Creating solutions

a leader of culinary solutions with our

CAP Solutions Culinaires is founded on

specialised product offerings.”

innovation, with every product specifically

Situated in Brittany, France, CAP Solutions

designed to meet customer demands.

Culinaires has two certified industrial facili-

“Sometimes, our customers will have

ties (IFS & BRC). The company employs

something very precise in mind”, explained

200 people and acts as a key economic

Ms Catroux. “At other times, they have

player in the region. The average seniority

a vaguer idea of what their future product

of its employees is 20 years, which

should be. No matter what stage of devel-

demonstrates their well-being and

opment the project is in, we are able to

commitment to the company.

collaborate with the client and create

“In 2015, we were acquired by Jean

a high-quality result.”

Floc’h, a leading agri-food group,” added

The company creates tailor-made and

Ms Catroux. “This has really driven our

ready-to-use products that fulfil require-

success and allowed us to expand our

ments and might exceed expectations.

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CAP SOLUTIONS CULINAIRES

I PROFILE

From dips to pour-over sauces, fillings,

tastes and consumption habits of foreign

seasonings, gravies, dressings, coulis and

countries. Then, we know the techniques

more, the company has a broad portfolio

and processes to effectively meet them.

of options for clients to customise and

Our equipment and facilities are modern

develop. Customers contact the company,

and advanced, enabling us to satisfy

explain their project detailing requirements,

even the most challenging requests.”

then CAP Solutions Culinaires works to make the idea a reality.

The company has a professional R&D team that innovates customer solutions.

“Our strength is really being able to

Comprised of nine people, three of whom

understand the individual needs of our

are chefs, this team with technical knowl-

clients,” explained Export Sales Manager

edge and taste sensitivity is dedicated

Emilie Guerin. “We have the experience

to designing premium products, having

to listen to demands and expertise with

in mind factory capabilities. CAP Solutions Culinaires works with more than 600 ingredients that can be selected and combined to perfectly match the flavour and texture profile that the customer wants. The company is able to expertly source specific ingredients from all around the world as from Brittany and even raw materials with Protected Geographic Indication.

Sometimes, CAP Solutions Culinaires is contacted by a manufacturer who wants to launch a range of products bearing a famous chef’s name. In this case, the job is to adapt that chef’s recipe and to transpose it from high gastronomy into a convenience product.

“We regularly organise co-creation days or workshops with our customers,”

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continued Ms Guerin. “This is a very efficient way of achieving a product that the client is really happy with.

We also offer back and forth sampling to make sure that the final product is the best it can be. In every project, we are constantly communicating with our clients to understand their precise needs and adjust the recipes we are developing for them.”

Setting trends The company also offers a wide range of possibilities in terms of packaging and presentation. Not only does CAP Solutions Culinaires have a variety of conventional and organic products, but it also has the capability to provide solutions for both chilled and frozen items. From liquid sauces in pouches or individual sachets to IQF portions or pellets, the company is equipped to meet almost any customer need.

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CAP SOLUTIONS CULINAIRES

I PROFILE

“Within the food industry and catering

research these specific flavours and gain

sectors, trends are always evolving, and

more expertise in the market to successfully

it is our job to help our clients stay ahead

deliver products that meet consumer needs.

of consumer demands,” commented

The last years showed a major consump-

Ms Catroux. “As a company, we are really

tion change with numerous creations of

flexible and reactive, which enables our

start-ups to respond to the demand of

clients to drive their business matching

plant-based and vegan meals. There too,

the expectations of their markets.”

CAP Solutions Culinaires brought support

A growing demand over the years is

and knowledge to new and old customers,

for clean label recipes. More companies

to offer them the most suitable sauce.

are requesting health-focused products

As well as environmentally conscious

taking into account ingredient list and

products, there is also a growing require-

nutritional values in order to drive sales.

ment for sustainable operations. CAP

CAP Solutions Culinaires has been able

Solutions Culinaires has implemented

to adapt existing recipes, and create

several environmental initiatives to meet

completely new ones, that meet these

this demand.

demands, evolving its expertise.

More recently, the market has shown

The company’s employees undergo training about preserving natural

a rising interest in Asian-inspired recipes

resources and there are measures in place

and street food. This means that CAP

to limit water and energy consumption.

Solutions Culinaires has had to further

CAP Solutions Culinaires is also ISO 50001

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certified and is dedicated to continuous

honest and longstanding relationships

improvement at its site. The company

that foster innovation and allow us to

plans to install solar panels in its car

thrive. We hope to meet with our cus-

park to further promote sustainability.

tomers and suppliers on our booth at SIAL Paris and welcome the opportunity

Partnership

to make new connections too.”

From start-ups to international big

Moving forward, CAP Solutions Culinaires

players, CAP Solutions Culinaires is

plans to increase its product and pack-

regarded as a reliable partner for manu-

aging portfolio, as well as expanding

facturers and foodservice actors wishing

operational capacity. Through these

to create their very own signature recipes.

investments, the company expects

“Some of our customers have been trusting

to drive activity and growth.

us for over 30 years and continue to submit new projects to us”, said Ms Catroux.

“At CAP Solutions Culinaires, we get to meet with different people and comp-

The company also works closely with

anies every day,” continued, Ms Guerin,

suppliers to source specific raw materials

in conclusion. “We are a worldwide

and ingredients to get the required taste

company and that makes working here

and texture.

so exciting. This is a great company,

“Many of our suppliers have collabo-

with a fantastic team. I look forward

rated with us for over 20 years,” added

to seeing what else we can achieve

Ms Catroux. “The company has built up

in the future.”

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