In this interview, Eric Mainbourg, manager of Les Caves d’Affinage de Savoie and a loyal customer of the Cheese and Dairy Products Show, talks about how he started his business, his experience at the Cheese and Dairy Products Show, and his plans for the future. He also shares his commitment to CSR and his innovations for 2026.

Can you introduce your company in a few words?

We are an artisan cheese maturing company operating in underground tunnels in Savoie. I founded it in 2011. We have tunnels in Rognaix, Ugine and Chambéry. We are a 100% independent company. We offer raw milk cheeses (farmhouse or co-operative). We have our own direct customer base of cheese retailers and do not sell through supermarkets. Our company is made up of a wonderful team of 17 dedicated, trained and motivated people!

Can you tell us about your first time participating in the show?

It was in 2014, the year we won the gold medal for Tomme de Savoie at the Concours Général Agricole. It was epic. I travelled to the show and set up the stand at the Cheese and Dairy Products Show on my own, while also helping the team manage day-to-day operations remotely. I saw a lot of people at my ‘little’ stand, I didn't even have time to eat at lunchtime, it was intense.

What was the best meeting you had at the show?

Export customers, with whom we are still working, by the way!

Why did you choose to participate again in 2026?

I'm renewing my participation in 2026 to meet my customers, raise awareness and take part in an event that brings the industry together!

What products and offers do you want to present at the 2026 edition?

In 2026, I want to take advantage of my participation in the Cheese and Dairy Products Show to present my tunnel-ripened cheeses!

Has your company implemented a CSR policy? If so, can you tell us more about it?

Yes, we have implemented many initiatives over the past two years, but we do not currently have any specific certification. For example, in terms of the environment: sorting and recycling with the acquisition of two compactors (cardboard, plastic and wood), installation of a solar water heater to wash our bins and boards with hot water, optimisation of delivery routes, switch to two 100% electric vehicles, use of reusable bins for collecting cheese from our farm producers (avoiding the use of cardboard boxes), insulation of a technical building with a white-painted roof, etc.

Do you have any ongoing projects that you would like to share with visitors to the show?

We are working on testing new cheeses with farmers... we have some surprises in store for the end of 2026!

Come and visit Les Caves d'affinage de Savoie at the Cheese and Dairy Products Show from 7 to 9 June 2026 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles!

European PDO Tour: Austria
$name