André Besnier started a small cheesemaking company in 1933 and launched its Président brand of Camembert in 1968. In 1990, it acquired Group Bridel with a presence in 60 countries. In 1992, it acquired United States cheese company Sorrento. In 1999, la société Besnier became le groupe Lactalis owned by Belgianholding company BSA International SA. In 2006, they bought Italian group Galbani, and in 2008, bought Swiss cheese maker Baer. They bought Italian group Parmalat in a 2011 2.5 G€ take-over after its bankruptcy and have since sought to delist it. In 2013, the Sorrento and Precious brands in the US were renamed Galbani, and the Sorrento Lactalis division was renamed Lactalis American Group. In 2007, the French Institut National des Appellations d'Origine, which administers AOC designations for French food products, refused to permit Lactalis and the dairy cooperative, Isigny-Sainte-Mère, to sell pasteurized Camembert as "true Camembert". As of 2007, these two companies represented between 80 and 90% of Normandy Camembert sales. In 2018, the INAO announced it would relax restrictions and create a new designation to include pasteurized Camembert in 2021. In February 2012 :en:Skånemejerier|Skånemejerier in the south of Sweden was acquired. In May 2015, Lactalis acquired an 80% stake in Turkish dairy Ak Gida, a subsidiary of Yildiz Holding. In July 2017 it was announced that Groupe Danone had agreed to sell its Stonyfield Farm subsidiary to Lactalis for $875 Million to avoid anti-trust claims and to clear the way for Danone's acquisition of U.S. organic food producer WhiteWave Foods. In December 2017, Lactalis announced the acquisition of dairy company Itambé. In January 2018, Lactalis announced it had agreed to purchase the skyr producer Siggi's Dairy, which will continue to be run independently. In October 2018, Lactalis announced the acquisition of Nestlé Malaysia's chilled dairy business unit for approximately $40 million. Lactalis's Indian subsidiary Tirumala Milk Products said that it would acquire Prabhat's dairy business for Rs 1,700 crore. This will be Lactalis's third acquisition in India.
Operations
Owned by the family controlled Belgian holding company BSA International SA, Lactalis in 2015 had global revenues of 16.5 billion euros. Lactalis employs 75,000 people worldwide, at 237 production sites in 43 different countries. The headquarters for Lactalis American Group, Inc. is located in Buffalo, New York.
Controversies
In Aug 2016, farmers blockaded the company HQ in the French city of Laval, protesting what they saw as price fixing. In Jan 2018, the company had to withdraw 12 million boxes of baby formula due to a salmonella contamination. They were accused of trying to hide the initial discovery of contamination, which led to the crisis.
Brands
The group operates in eight divisions:
Lactalis cheeses with President – Rouy Lepetit Bridélight Galbani Rondelé Munster's Little Friends
Lactalis Butter & Creams with President – Bridélice Bridélight Primrose
Lactalis AOC with Pochat – Istara Beulet Salakis Lanquetot Roquefort Société Golden Ball Lou Pérac The Ruby Raguin The Stone Bridge
Lactalis consumption AFH with President – Society Bridel Locatelli
Lactalis industry with BBA – Calciane Prolacta
Tendriade Veal with Tendriade – Eurovo Voréal
Lactalis International with President – Sorrento Valbreso Galbani Sorrento Locatelli Invernizzi
LNUF with The Milkmaid – Yoco Flanby Sveltesse Vienna Greek Yogurt Kremly BA Fold
Lactalis owns 198 industrial sites in 55 countries. 18 of these countries are USA, Romania, Poland, Italy, Russia, Ukraine, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ireland, Portugal, Switzerland, Croatia, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Australia and as of 2011 Canada and South Africa. Lactalis mostly produces yoghurt, butter and cheese and powder milk, baby formula and milk drinks.
