The rebirth of the Dragées Rosière, a Provençal gourmet institution

New packaging, renovated shop and many other projects under study

An almost century-old house and a true institution of the Marseille confectionery industry, Les Dragées Rosière is enjoying a rejuvenation with its takeover in February 2018 by Ivan Dumon. An entrepreneur at heart, he intends to bring the dragée back up to date and relocate production. Attached to delicacies made in Provence, this manager born in Marseille has the ambition to create a real centre of local specialities and plans to buy other small-scale craftsmen in the same vein. Supported in his quest by Provence Promotion, Ivan Dumon raises a corner of veil on his projects.

"Gourmandise, Marseille and tradition. These three key words made me fall in love with them," Ivan Dumon confessed to the evocation of the Rosière Dragées. Founded in 1924 by a couple of Armenian confectioners driven out of Turkey, the Rosière Dragées have become an institution for several generations of Marseillais, marking out the happy events of their lives, family celebrations, religious or secular ceremonies.

Over the years, the Sme has become a beautiful sleeping beauty that Ivan Dumon woke up in February 2018. Dragées Rosière now offers a complete range of guest gifts for family celebrations (several collections in partnership with designers) and dragées and sweets made with almonds, marshmallow, chocolate, caramel or praline. "I am interested in companies with traditional know-how and history. Every day, the people of Marseille prove to me their incredible attachment to the brand," says the entrepreneur who wants to bring the forgotten little tablecloth back to life.

One year later, the new momentum inspired by marketing initiatives, the creation of new packaging and the renovation of the boutique in the 12th arrondissement of Marseille began to bear fruit with a 30% increase in activity between April and September, the wedding season.

Relocation of production in Provence under study

Surfing on consumers' enthusiasm for almonds, this greedy and passionate buyer has created a pocket size, the "Dragette", that is easy to slip into a handbag or a jeans pocket. "We are also committed to diversifying by marketing jams and honey," he explains.

While his predecessors entrusted production to a French manufacturer with the maintenance of specific and exclusive original recipes, Ivan Dumon eventually wanted to relocate production to the 500 m² factory that he wanted to rehabilitate in order to accommodate other companies, but also a museum to display his incredible collection of sugar cane stands.

His immoderate taste for exceptional know-how led him to found the Association des Repreneurs d'Entreprises aux savoir-faire d'Excellence (RESFE). Also a member of the National Commission of Living Heritage Companies (EPV), he intends to participate in the preservation of French industrial heritage. His insatiable appetite led him to seek opportunities to buy out companies with specific businesses related to the delicacies of the region: nougats, shuttles, chocolates or calissons. This delicatessen hunter approached Provence Promotion, which introduced him to craft companies looking for a buyer.