Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC)’s office in Geneva, Switzerland has been the Group’s regional headquarters [for the Europe and Black Sea Region] since 2006, leveraging the country’s convenient location in the heart of Europe and its strategic position in relation to key origination and destination points for agricultural commodities. Geneva is an established center of international talent and merchandizing expertise, offers synergies with shipping entities and energy trading houses, and is home to many other reliable service providers that are crucial to our business.

Activities in Switzerland

Our office in Geneva serves as the regional hub for our commercial and merchandizing activities, which span 8 platforms – Grains & Oilseeds, Rice, Freight, Global Markets, Coffee, Cotton, Sugar and Juice.

The EMEA region is the Group’s largest in terms of turnover, encompassing a solid network of industrial assets supporting operations across the value chain. We are present in over 25 countries in EMEA. Our teams in Switzerland oversee our regional operations across more than 60 assets, contributing to our global effort to responsibly and reliably provide sustenance for a growing population.

In recent years we have further developed our origination, processing and logistic capabilities in the Region, and our significant investments enable us to continue enhancing our presence across the value chain.

While managing our business activities, we are also continuously managing business risks. This includes anticipating and responding to any circumstances that may arise or potentially impact supply.

Environment and corporate responsibility 

Committed to the local community

We demonstrate our commitment to local communities by supporting charitable initiatives related to food security, agriculture and children.

In Switzerland, for example, LDC Geneva employees regularly participate in fundraising events and sports activities, some of which are organized by external organizations, to collect donations for local charities. LDC usually adds to employee donations as a company.

Since establishing operations in Switzerland, LDC has supported several activities, including fundraising, and collections of food and winter clothes for various organizations. Every year, LDC Geneva employees volunteer to prepare and serve hot meals to people living in poverty in the city.

Sustainability at LDC

All LDC offices are encouraged to implement sustainability initiatives aiming to raise awareness towards sustainable office operations, while improving quality of life within the LDC work environment.

At LDC Switzerland we have implemented several initiatives that promote sustainability within the office, such as avoiding and reducing the use of disposable items, taking measures to save energy, reusing paper and reducing print consumption, and recycling.

We are continually seeking new initiatives that may be pursued as well, in line with our four sustainability pillars:

People

We protect and invest in our people, who are crucial to our business. The efficiency of our Safety, Health and Environment Management System is a priority.

Environment

We recognize that we have an important responsibility to reduce the environmental impact of sustaining the word’s growing population. We take up this responsibility not only by eliminating waste in the parts of the supply chain that we control, but also by monitoring our own operations, identifying efficiencies, and preserving biodiversity.

Community

We aim for mutually beneficial partnerships with the communities our business reach.

Partners

We have a greater impact when we work with others. We engage a broad range of stakeholders, such as smallholder farmers, global financial institutions and NGOs, either on a standalone basis or as part of multi-stakeholder initiatives.

Operating Safely

LDC’s vision is to create a safe work environment wherever we operate around the world, ensuring that our people return home safely, and without injury, every day.

The safety and health of our employees, contractors and visitors are of key importance to Louis Dreyfus Company. Our business model does not separate Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) from other business functions, but rather integrates it into the way we do business, aiming to ensure all our people go home safely at the end of every day. Our commitment to SHE is demonstrated in the company’s attention and dedication to internal systems, standards and management support.

In 2009, Louis Dreyfus Company implemented a Group-wide, global Safety Day. During this annual event, all our assets celebrate the importance of SHE and focus on their strategies for the following year. Where possible, contractors and vendors with whom we do business are also invited to join Safety Day events.

To make sure employees adhere to best practice, safety measures are built into our operations across the value chain. Our people are given comprehensive health and safety training.

On Safety Day in Geneva office, we organize several activities and events related to safety, such as first aid sessions, safety contests, emergency response training, etc.

Working at LDC

Careers at LDC

Nurturing our people is essential to our success. So we are committed to a culture that effectively identifies and manages talent globally. Our business is supported by a number of different roles, all of which are important to achieving our organizational goals.

Why work for us?

People are our most important asset. As we continue to grow and evolve as a company, it becomes even more important to attract, nurture and retain talented employees. We invest in our people knowing they will play a significant role in how well we adapt to dynamic market conditions and maintain a leading position in our sector.

Graduate Program

We’re looking for outstanding graduates with personal drive, determination, and motivation to join the Group. We also seek specific knowledge and skills relevant to the type of program for which a graduate applies.

LDC's Graduate Program is designed to give young professionals the opportunity to kick-start a career in line with their professional aspirations, within one of the different programs that prepare graduates for significant responsibilities in a highly professional, yet friendly environment.

The four-year programs use a rotation structure that allows graduate trainees meaningful exposure to new people and projects in different areas of the business.