Courchesne Larose Ltd. taps Michael Aucoin as CEO

Fruit and vegetable distributor Courchesne Larose Ltd. has appointed Michael Aucoin as its new chief executive.

He succeeds Michel Routhier, who becomes vice-chair of the board of directors. Alain Routhier will remain president of the Courchesne Larose.

Aucoin is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in the agri-food sector, having worked for such companies as Smuckers and Hershey. 

He also presided over Agropur's Canadian operations from 2017 to 2019, where he managed nearly 5,000 people, and ensured the operational success of Eat & Beyond, an investment firm that holds stakes in companies that manufacture vegan food. 

"It is important to be able to count on a leader who, in addition to knowing our industry, can effectively mobilize our teams to foster collaboration between the various entities of the Courchesne Larose Group. These ingredients are essential if we are to realize our growth ambitions and become a pan-Canadian leader in the distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables. This is a second significant step in that direction, following the recent arrival of a group of investors led by Sagard," Routhier said in a statement.