According to CNC chairman Frans Brienen the altered operational approach means they have decided to part in good mutual consent with the current Lutèce director Charles Jas.

”We highly appreciate all the effort dedicated by Jas towards making the company healthy again”, states Brienen. ”But we are looking for a new director to lead the new challenge, to expand activities in the processed mushroom market and to consolidate Lutèce’s leading position.”

Charles Jas was appointed director of Lutèce on 8th March 2004, following the brief period of service of Albert van der Vlies who succeeded Gerrit Aldag as director.

In the intervening period, the number of factories processing mushrooms has halved to reach two. Parts of the production lines from the two factories shut down have been incorporated into the two other plants. ”This was a costly operation”, says Brienen. ”But it has allowed us to retain the lead as far as our cost price in processing mushrooms. We have also successfully increased our exports of processed mushrooms to France and Spain.”