Pascal Houle is the new chief operating officer of Canada’s Sollio Cooperative Group.
Houle’s responsibilities will include the implementation of the company’s strategic plan. The CEOs of Sollio Agriculture and Groupe BMR will report to him. This nomination is part of the deployment of the succession plan for Sollio Cooperative Group, formerly known as La Coop fédérée.
"At the end of a rigorous process that has once again demonstrated the talent and excellence within our organization, I would like to congratulate Mr. Houle on his nomination, which is part of the implementation of our succession plan, so that he will be in a position to fill the position of chief executive officer when the time comes," said Gaétan Desroches, chief executive officer of Sollio Cooperative Group. "Based on our cooperative business model, I am convinced that Mr. Houle will be able to use his skills to help feed people while ensuring the prosperity of farm families. The future of Sollio Cooperative Group is promising, and he can count on my support and that of the entire management committee in achieving our common goals."
"Over the past seven years at Group BMR, I have had the opportunity to work with a network of passionate, creative and talented people who have taught me a lot and helped me grow," said Houle. "It is therefore with a small twinge of sadness that I leave them, but also with a sense of duty accomplished. And I know that in a way, they will accompany me in my new functions. It is therefore with great pride and enthusiasm that I begin this new stage in my career with Sollio Cooperative Group, a network that I joined more than 20 years ago."
Houle has held several positions since joining the network in 1998. He was first the hardware manager at La Coop des Appalaches, then as a management consultant at La Coop fédérée. In 2004, he joined La Coop des Bois-Francs, now known as VIVACO groupe coopératif, as hardware, materials and petroleum manager. In 2008, he was appointed general manager of the cooperative. Houle joined Group BMR as retail vice-president in 2013, before being appointed executive vice-president. In 2015, he became CEO of Groupe BMR and executive vice-president of Sollio Cooperative Group.
Houle's appointment to his new position was ratified by the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer of Sollio Cooperative Group in December 2020, but he assumed office the day after the Annual General Meeting, which was held January 26.
Steps to appoint a new CEO of Group BMR are currently underway. Houle will continue to head Group BMR until his successor is appointed.
About Sollio Cooperative Group
Sollio Cooperative Group represents more than 123,000 members, agricultural producers and consumers in 48 traditional agricultural and consumer cooperatives across several Canadian provinces. It employs more than 15,000 people and has sales of CA$7.282 billion. Its activities are divided into three divisions: Olymel L.P., Sollio Agriculture and Group BMR.
According to the Poultry International Top Companies rankings, Sollio Cooperative Group is the 19th largest broiler company in North America. It is also involved in turkey production.
The company has also recently expanded its presence in the animal feed industry. During the past three years, it acquired Cargill’s grain and crop inputs retail assets in Ontario, Standard Nutrition Canada, a 50% stake in WS Feed & Supply, and F. Ménard.
