Générale Occidentale

Générale OccidentaleType| Investment company

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Founded| 1969
Founder| James Goldsmith
Headquarters|

France

Générale Occidentale is a French investment company.

## History[edit]

The company was founded in 1969 by James Goldsmith,[1] rapidly absorbing a large number of companies. In 1973, it took control of Générale Alimentaire[2] and its brands Amora, Vandamme, Carambar, La Pie qui Chante and Francorusse.

In 1979, it bought Chocolat Poulain from Clin-Midy, and SEGMA (French: Société d'exploitation des grandes marques alimentaires) with its brand Maille.[3] Only one year later, the entire food arm of Générale Occidentale was sold to Boussois-Souchon-Neuvesel (BSN)[4] (which became Danone in 1994).

Simultaneously, the group grew its publication arm, taking control of L'Express in 1977 and Presses de la Cité in 1986.[citation needed]

In 1987, James Goldsmith sold his share to Compagnie Générale d'Electricité (CGE).[5] Générale Occidentale was no longer a subsidiary of CGE, and its assets were dispersed. Goldsmith's financial director Gilberte Beaux became the managing director of Générale Occidentale.[5]

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Jimmy Goldsmith". universalis.fr (in French). Retrieved 7 January 2015.
2. ^ "Journal de l'année" [Annual Journal]. Larousse (in French). 1974.
3. ^ "Saga Maille". prodimarques.com (in French). Retrieved 7 January 2015.
4. ^ "Maille: bien relevée". strategies.fr (in French). 10 January 2003. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
5. ^ a b Jimmy GOLDSMITH vend la majorité de ses actions de la générale occidentale, incluant sa part dans le magazine "l'express" [James Goldsmith sells most of his shares in Générale Occidentale, including his share of the magazine "L'Express"]. ina.fr (in French). Antenne 2. 27 July 1987. Retrieved 7 January 2015.

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