Regional supplier Chef Middle East has signed a major deal with dairy food producer, Lactalis.

The new business partnership between the companies is effective immediately and both firms are adamant that the deal will only strengthen their positions in the market.

Olivia Hingray, food service sales manager UAE at Lactalis said: “Being in the Middle East region for over 20 years, Chef Middle East has acquired a tremendous experience and knowledge of the market, and is recognized by its peers as a well-established and trusted company.”

“Chef Middle East’s expertise and broad client portfolio within the hotel and dining industries will be a strong driver for Lactalis in terms of exposure, resulting in higher sales performances.”

Steve Pyle, chief executive officer at Chef Middle East said: “Lactalis have an extensive dairy range with exceptional and globally recognised brands like Président and Galbani, and as such we believe we will leverage on each other’s strengths in the markets we operate in,” he said.

“The Lactalis range will strengthen our existing dairy portfolio and will increase the credibility of our dairy proposition with both existing and prospective customers.”

He said this new range addition will also position Chef Middle East’s pastry and bakery range as ‘the one stop solution’ for pastry professionals with the French Président cream and butter range while complementing the strong and developing Italian range with Galbani cheeses.

Dany Abi Khalil, general manager at Lactalis added: “Our objective throughout the diversification of distribution for Président and Galbani brands is to improve our reach in all the segments of the food service market.

“With Chef Middle East on board, we strongly believe that we will improve our presence – especially in the hotels segment.”