For several weeks now, the world has been facing an unprecedented health crisis. In its history of more than 160 years, Lesaffre has already been through events with major consequences for the planet.
Very early on, as soon as it appeared in China, where the group has three production sites, we organised ourselves to react to the impact of this crisis. We have gradually extended this mechanism to our facilities throughout the whole world as the pandemic progressed.
Our first priority has been to guarantee the safety of our employees and, in the same spirit, the safety of the service providers and transporters working at our sites. Strict health safety measures, or barrier measures, have been implemented at each of our sites to protect people who work there. Strict respect for these rules is required. They are regularly audited by our safety teams, the safety of everyone in their daily work is at stake. Everyone adheres fully to these rules.
Our second priority is to continue to produce and serve our customers both in the bakery products and in the nutrition and health industries, so that they themselves can meet the needs of their customers on time. Our products are essential in a wide range of value chains in the food industry, such as bakery products and prepared meals. They are also essential in certain areas of nutrition and health, such as antibiotic-free animal feed, in biocontrol or in the production of Covid 19 tests.
Securing the manufacturing and supply processes for our products worldwide is therefore a major challenge. Aware of this essential mission, all our teams throughout the world, whether on site or working remotely, are committed every day despite the many constraints. Our employees face this situation with absolutely admirable courage, dedication and professionalism, for which I would like to pay tribute.
Another of our priorities is to take concrete, tangible and immediate action to help healthcare workers and support the most sensitive communities in the places where we operate. In many countries, given the urgency and scale of the situation, we have contributed to donations of masks and other protective equipment to healthcare workers, financial support to hospitals and charities, in many cases at the initiative of our employees.
While the pandemic is an urgent and immediate crisis, we are not losing sight of the long-term needs of the world in which we live, and in particular continue to work on our many research and development programs. Our mission “Working together to better nourish and protect the planet” is fully in line with this vision.
You can count on the dedication and commitment of all Lesaffre employees, to whom I would like to express my heartfelt thanks.
Antoine Baule