Groupe Lactalis
French privately owned multinational dairy group whose portfolio spans milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, nutrition, and food-service products.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Lactalis is a French multinational dairy group headquartered in Laval, in the Mayenne department of France. The business began in 1933 when André Besnier established a small cheesemaking operation. It later developed from a regional cheese producer into a large international dairy house through a combination of brand building, manufacturing expansion, and acquisitions. The company was known as Besnier S.A. until 1999, when it adopted the Lactalis name. The group's best-known consumer brands include Président, Galbani, Parmalat, Lactel, Kraft Natural Cheese, Siggi's, Stonyfield Farm, Rachel's Organic, Skånemejerier, and other national or regional dairy labels. Lactalis also markets Yoplait products in the United States. Its portfolio covers soft and hard cheeses, mozzarella, butter, milk, cream, yogurt, fermented products, skyr, infant and clinical nutrition, whey ingredients, and food-service products. The breadth of the portfolio allows the group to operate in both everyday grocery categories and more specialized or premium segments. A major early turning point came in 1968, when the company launched Président Camembert. The brand helped give the business a recognizable consumer identity beyond contract or regional cheesemaking. Lactalis expanded further in 1990 through the acquisition of Group Bridel, followed by the purchase of United States cheese company Sorrento in 1992. In 1999, the corporate rebranding to Lactalis accompanied the group's broader international positioning. International acquisitions became central to the company's growth. Lactalis acquired Galbani in 2006, Croatian dairy company Dukat in 2007, Swiss cheesemaker Baer in 2008, and Italian dairy group Parmalat in 2011. Parmalat gave Lactalis a significant international platform, particularly in dairy products and markets outside Western Europe. Later transactions added Skånemejerier in Sweden, a majority stake in Turkey's Ak Gida, Stonyfield Farm in the United States, Itambé in Brazil, Siggi's, part of Nestlé's chilled dairy business in Malaysia, and Kraft Heinz's natural cheese business. The group is controlled by the Besnier family through BSA International. Emmanuel Besnier serves as president and principal shareholder. Lactalis is privately held rather than listed, so its ownership and governance structure differs from many large publicly traded food companies. Its operations are organized around local brands and production networks while being coordinated through a global group structure. Lactalis has also faced significant scrutiny. The 2017-2018 Salmonella contamination crisis involving infant formula produced at the Craon plant led to large-scale recalls and investigations across multiple countries. Other controversies have involved relations with dairy farmers, environmental compliance, milk purchasing competition, alleged tax irregularities, and plant closures. These events have made food safety systems, supplier relations, regulatory compliance, and operational transparency important parts of the group's public profile. Today, Lactalis remains an active, family-controlled dairy company with a broad international manufacturing and brand footprint. Its strategic model combines large-scale production with the retention of well-known local brands, allowing it to compete in mainstream, premium, organic, nutrition, food-service, and ingredients markets.
History
Groupe Lactalis traces its origins to 1933, when André Besnier established a cheese business in Laval, France. The original enterprise was built around dairy processing and cheese production, with growth supported by relationships with milk producers and the development of branded products. Over time, the company expanded beyond its regional base and became one of France's prominent dairy manufacturers. The company was known as Besnier S.A. until 1999, when it adopted the Lactalis name. The Besnier business developed a portfolio approach, combining industrial dairy expertise with consumer brands. Président became an important international cheese identity, while other acquisitions and local operations gave the group access to additional categories and markets. This approach allowed the company to preserve established regional names while coordinating production, distribution and investment at group level. In 1999, the company changed its corporate name from Besnier to Lactalis. The new name reflected the group's international ambitions and its concentration on dairy. The rebranding did not eliminate the portfolio's local identities; instead, Lactalis continued to operate through a house of brands that included cheese, milk, butter, cream, yogurt and nutrition labels. Expansion accelerated during the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Lactalis acquired or developed businesses in multiple European markets and broadened its presence in North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Its portfolio came to include brands such as Bridel, Lactel, Société, Galbani, Kiri and other nationally important labels. The company also expanded into food-service, ingredients and specialized nutrition, reducing its dependence on a single dairy category. The acquisition of Parmalat in 2011 was one of the group's defining strategic moves. Parmalat brought a substantial international platform in milk and dairy products, as well as established market positions outside France. The transaction increased Lactalis's scale and reinforced its strategy of building a worldwide dairy group through a combination of acquisitions and local operating businesses. Lactalis has remained privately held and controlled by the Besnier family. This ownership model has enabled the company to pursue long-term expansion without the reporting structure of a listed company, while also making outside assessment of financial performance less straightforward than for public competitors. The group generally presents itself as a specialist in dairy, with activities extending from milk collection and processing to branded consumer goods and professional ingredients. The company's history also includes a major food-safety crisis. In late 2017, infant formula produced at the Craon site in France was associated with Salmonella infections and a wide product recall. The crisis continued into 2018 as authorities and the company addressed the scope of the recall, the operation of the facility and questions about communication and controls. It became one of the most significant reputational events in Lactalis's history and prompted scrutiny of the company's governance, traceability and food-safety procedures. In the years since, Lactalis has continued to operate as a global, family-owned dairy group with a diversified portfolio. Its present model combines international scale with market-specific brands, covering everyday dairy staples, premium and protected-origin cheeses, chilled products, nutrition and ingredients. The corporate name is widely recognized in the dairy industry, but many consumers encounter the group primarily through brands such as Président, Galbani, Lactel, Parmalat, Kiri and Société.
- 2017
Craon infant-formula crisis
[3]Infant formula made at Lactalis's Craon facility was linked to Salmonella contamination, leading to recalls, investigations and the site's temporary closure.
- 2011
Parmalat acquisition
[3]Lactalis acquired Parmalat, significantly expanding its international dairy operations and brand portfolio.
- 1999
Besnier becomes Lactalis
[3]The group adopted the Lactalis name as its corporate identity, reflecting its international development and dairy specialization.
- 1933
André Besnier establishes the business
[3]André Besnier founded the dairy business in Laval, France, beginning the enterprise that later became Groupe Lactalis.
Products and positioning
A broad dairy portfolio spanning mass-market staples, premium and specialty cheese, food-service ingredients, and nutrition products, supported by a mix of global and local brands.
Cheese and dairy products
Président
Président is one of Lactalis's best-known international consumer brands. It is associated particularly with French-style and European cheeses, but the range also includes butter, cream and other dairy products in selected markets. Product formats and recipes differ by country, allowing the brand to serve both everyday household consumption and premium positioning.
Milk and fresh dairy
Lactel
Lactel is a major milk brand associated with France and other markets. Its portfolio has included fresh and extended-life milk as well as related dairy products. The brand is positioned around regular household dairy consumption, with variations in formulation, packaging and nutritional claims depending on the market.
Italian cheese and dairy products
Galbani
Galbani is an Italian-origin dairy brand in Lactalis's portfolio. It is particularly associated with mozzarella, mascarpone, ricotta and other Italian cheeses, alongside additional dairy products. The brand gives Lactalis a strong position in Italian-style cheese and supports retail and food-service distribution across multiple countries.
Milk and dairy products
Parmalat
Parmalat is an international dairy brand and company acquired by Lactalis in 2011. Its activities have included milk, shelf-stable dairy, fresh dairy products and other nutrition-related offerings. Parmalat remains especially important in markets where it has longstanding consumer recognition and local production capabilities.
Processed cheese
Kiri
Kiri is a processed cheese brand known for individually portioned, mild and spreadable cheese products. It has strong recognition in France and international markets and is used in household, lunchbox and snack occasions. The brand forms part of Lactalis's broader portfolio of branded cheese products.
Specialty cheese
Société
Société is associated with Roquefort and other specialty cheese products from France. Its heritage and protected-origin positioning give Lactalis exposure to premium and traditional cheese segments, distinct from the group's mainstream milk and processed-cheese businesses.
Controversies
2017
Salmonella contamination and infant-formula recall
Infant formula produced at Lactalis's Craon facility was associated with Salmonella infections in France. The company issued a broad recall, authorities investigated the incident and the facility was closed during the response. The affair led to criticism concerning product controls, the scope and execution of the recall, and communication with consumers and authorities.
Brand decisions
2017
Recall and closure of the Craon facilityOtherBackground
Products made at the Craon infant-formula facility were linked to Salmonella contamination and illnesses.
Action taken
Lactalis recalled affected infant-formula products, expanded the recall as information developed and suspended production at the site.
Aftermath
The response became a major food-safety and reputational crisis, prompting regulatory scrutiny and changes in attention to traceability and controls.
2011
Acquisition of ParmalatM&ABackground
Lactalis sought to broaden its international footprint and strengthen its position across milk and dairy categories.
Action taken
Lactalis acquired Parmalat and integrated the company into its wider global dairy group.
Aftermath
The transaction substantially increased Lactalis's international scale and added a major portfolio of established dairy operations and brands.
1999
Corporate rebranding from Besnier to LactalisStrategyBackground
The business had expanded beyond its original regional identity and was developing an international dairy portfolio.
Action taken
The group adopted Lactalis as its corporate name while continuing to operate numerous local and category brands.
Aftermath
The change created a unified international corporate identity without replacing the consumer brands used in individual markets.
Recent events
Philippe Palazzi departs as Lactalis CEO[4]
Lactalis announced that Philippe Palazzi had departed his role as CEO effective February 3, 2022. Lactalis president Emmanuel Besnier thanked Palazzi for his work toward the company's 2021 financial objectives.
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