Sharing a wonderful year together

Dear all,

2022 has brought a lot of unexpected events but a lot of satisfaction and joy too. For la belle-iloise’s-90th anniversary, we launched delicious new products and opened our 90th direct-to-consumer store in Angers. The publishing house Editions Ouest-France published a book on our history: La belle-iloise, la jolie boîte bretonne (La belle-iloise, the beautiful box from Brittany), and we also shared ten portraits on our website, talking about our daily lives, products and jobs.

This anniversary year gave us the chance to remember who we are and look back at what has endured over the last two centuries. Ninety years after my grandfather laid the first cornerstone of the company, la belle-iloise continues to be a family company with artisanal savoir-faire that manufactures and distributes exceptional tinned produce straight from Quiberon.

Since 1932, we have seen the company upended, and collective history turned on its head many a time. Thecompany has seen highs and lows, but if it’s still here, stronger than ever, it’s because it has always been able to adapt and be flexible. I want to sincerely thank those who have helped la belle-iloise grow and reinvent itself while respecting our core principles and preserving the company identity.

As CEO, my role is to give the teams a vision for the future. Yet in the current circumstances, it’s not particularly easy to picture. So I tell myself,“Rather than worrying about what will happen, let’s ask ourselves what we would like to happen!” Focusing on the horizon and making the choices that will see us reach our destination are the best way of riding the storms and moving forward.

It’s why in 2023, la belle-iloise will continue to stay on course,working daily to produce healthy, responsible food. In this regard, last spring, we were certified a Label Enseigne Responsable, a sustainability label recognising our commitment to being more respectful of humankind and the environment.

La belle-iloise products are good for you and the planet and are synonymous with pleasure and comfort. In these turbulent times, strike a balance by enjoying the simple things in life and good times.

What’s more, tinned goods really are a product of the future. They don’t need energy to be stored, and they preserve the precious nutrients of the fantastic things we put inside for a long time.

Incidentally, my uncle Georges would have probably told you to stock up on tins this winter as he did 30 years ago in one of his letters to our customers.

In 2023, yes, we need to be forward-thinking, but above all, confident that things will get better. Whatever the moment or occasion, you can count on our tasty tins to eat well: whether you’re out and about, in the office, at home, wherever.

La belle-iloise has been by your side for 90 years, and we plan to remain for much longer!

Caroline Hilliet-Le Branchu

Caroline HILLIET, President and CEO of la belle-iloise,

and the founder’s granddaughter.