New title sponsor for the Vendee Globe

Familiar name to back non-stop singlehanded round the world race

Created 30 years ago by delicatessen dealers Simone and Joseph Bourgo in the Vendée Region, the Sodebo Group has progressed to the top end in the French fresh delicatessen catering market with wide scale distribution through its savoir-faire and policy for innovation.

The company index turnover is of 372 million euros today (over an 11% turnover growth in 2003 on 2002). The company spreads its five production sites over 120 000sqm area and employs 1 750 staff. In thirty years, the privately owned family company has become an industrial one, which has not stopped demonstrating its capacity for leadership and its innovative abilities. Through adventure and competitive sailing the company is able to voice its humanitarian values and savoir-faire. Sponsor of one of the performance leading ocean going trimarans, skippered by Thomas Coville Sobdeo have now extended their sponsorship in sailing as title sport of the 2004-5 Vendee Globe.

“As a sponsor in sailing since 1998, we are happy to be supporting this event of great importance with will go hand in hand with our global communications strategy,” said Patricia Bonnard, President of the Sodebo Group. "For thirty years the Sodebo Group has been a major player in the farm produce industry. This year the brand confirms its position as leader in the fresh produce delivery industry (GMS)."