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         CHEESES: the world’s leading cheesmaker

In 1933, André Besnier produced his very first Camemberts. The Lactalis group is first and foremost a cheesemaker, with a wide range of cheeses, from the most traditional Appellations d’Origine Protégées to the most universal. Building on this know-how and its growth, Lactalis helps to promote French gastronomy beyond its borders by exporting its cheeses, notably the Président brand, which is present in 160 countries. Similarly, its Galbani brand is the leader in Italian cheeses, sold in 140 countries.

Every day, our R&D teams come up with the products of tomorrow, offering a wide range of products to meet specific needs at every stage of life. These range from infant nutrition to medical nutrition, from fresh convenience products to sports supplements. To achieve this, Lactalis strives to maintain a plurality of sources of innovation, notably through numerous external collaborations, such as with INRA, engineering schools, universities and our suppliers.

Every day, the Lactalis Group is committed to preserving the diversity of dairy traditions that make our regions so rich. This commitment to taste and quality has made the Group the world’s leading producer of PDO and raw milk cheeses. No fewer than 38 European PDO and PGI cheeses are produced by the Group.

A PDO is a European Union quality mark that protects products where all stages of production are carried out according to recognized know-how in the same geographical area, in compliance with precise specifications. PDO = AOC

Since its creation, the Lactalis Group has grown steadily in France and, above all, internationally, developing genuine expertise in corporate integration. Its ambition is to continue its internationalization and consolidate its status as a global and local Group everywhere in the world. In 2018, Lactalis passed the mark of 100 acquisitions in 15 years. Today, 266 production sites are spread across 51 countries, and commercially in 150.

In 2020, 20 billion liters of milk were collected worldwide by the Lactalis Group.

Its international development is based on a unique model: covering all dairy categories. From a solid French base, which still accounts for 20% of its sales today, Lactalis is developing into a truly international Group. Every day, Lactalis is a family business offering healthy, tasty products that bring people together, thanks to the commitment of its 85,000 employees in nearly 100 countries, its partner producers and the preservation of dairy know-how.

• Ambition: To set high standards in the day-to-day running of the business, and to constantly develop our professional and individual capabilities.
• Commitment: Demonstrate a genuine entrepreneurial spirit, both individually and collectively. Demonstrate reliability, responsibility, and loyalty.
• Simplicity: Act transparently, pragmatically, and open-mindedly, working efficiently and results oriented.

October 19, 1933 marked the start of the Lactalis adventure. André Besnier makes his first 17 Camemberts from 35 liters of milk collected in the Laval area. The first page in the company’s history was written: Société personnelle André Besnier was born. The Lactalis Group is a family business. Over three generations, the company has become the world’s leading dairy group. Today presided over by Mr. Emmanuel Besnier, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, the company is pursuing its international expansion from Laval.