Since 1995, the Fournil du Val de Loire has been manufacturing sandwich bread in its Joué-lès-Tours factory, as well as industrial pastries for major distributor brands.
Located in the Morier district, this production unit, a subsidiary of the AgroMousquetaires group (1), is partly surrounded by pavilions. An obstacle to a possible extension? For several months, the group has been looking for land to build a larger and, above all, more efficient factory (2). Several sites were coveted by the company: in Noyant-de-Touraine, Bléré and Sorigny, but it was ultimately the town of Neuillé-Pont-Pierre which was chosen by the managers.
More precisely the Polaxis activity zone, located to the east of the town center, along the A 28 motorway. The services of the Gâtine-Racan community of communes supported Le Fournil du Val de Loire in its project . A building permit application has been submitted to the town hall. Since December 2, 2024, an environmental authorization request has also been the subject of a public inquiry.
A 10 hectare plot
Available at the Neuillé-Pont-Pierre town hall, it reveals the projects of the manufacturer Fournil Val de Loire. The company plans to build a production unit of more than 25,000 m2 on a plot of almost 10 ha, in the southern part of the Polaxis activity zone.
“This move will be beneficial for the site because it is moved to an area where traffic will be less intense. The project site will be located in close proximity to a highway to accommodate the local flow of trucks more quickly.we specify in the impact study carried out by an environmental design office.
Since 1995, the Fournil du Val de Loire has been manufacturing sandwich bread in its Joué-lès-Tours factory (above) but also industrial pastries for major distributor brands.
© (Photo NR, Pascaline Mesnage)
The planned production site in Neuillé-Pont-Pierre aims to replace the aging Joué-lès-Tours factory, with the aim of reducing the group's environmental impact. New generation installations would result in significant savings in water, an essential raw material for the manufacture of sandwich bread. According to studies carried out, the ratio of volume of water released per tonne of finished product could increase from 1.2 m3 to 0.68 m3.
Reduce the amount of waste
The new installations would also allow the manufacturer to improve crusting (removing the crust from sandwich bread) and thus reduce the quantity of waste produced.
In its request for environmental authorization, the Fournil du Val de Loire highlights the strategic location, along the highway, far from homes. No more noise pollution caused by the comings and goings of trucks, on the edge of the Joué-lès-Tours site.
An investment of 85 million euros
The group is expected to invest 85 million euros in this factory, with the aim of improving its productivity: 292 tonnes per day, compared to 120 tonnes currently. While the Joué-lès-Tours factory employs 140 employees, that of Neuillé-Pont-Pierre could have up to 170.
If the prefecture gives the green light, following the public inquiry, construction of the building could begin in September 2025, with the first production lines commissioning in January 2027.
The public inquiry is visible at the Neuillé-Pont-Pierre town hall until January 9, 2025.
(1) The industrial center of the Groupement Les Mousquetaires.
(2) When contacted, the management of the AgroMousquetaires group did not wish to comment on this subject.
In Joué-lès-Tours, “a privileged location”
The mayor of Joué-lès-Tours, Frédéric Augis, heard about the project to move the Fournil. Unofficially. “It’s a very nice company, many of its employees live in Joué and go to work on foot, by bike… I understand that they want to develop their production tools. Finding ten hectares in the metropolis of Tours is not easy. That they decide to stay in the region, in Indre-et-Loire, is a good thing for the employees. »
If the departure from Le Fournil to Neuillé-Pont-Pierre is confirmed, what future for the Jocondian site? “We will look carefully at what the Musketeers want to do. It is a privileged location, near the Deux-Lions. It is fortunate for Joué-lès-Tours to have so much land. » A real estate transaction is not the priority for the elected official. “We already have a project for 1,000 housing units on the Carmeries site (formerly Michelin). A territory also needs industries and adapted services for residents. »
