It is the third largest dairy products group in the world, and is the second largest food products group in France, behind Danone.[citation needed] It owns brands such as Sorrento, Société, Bridel, Président, Rachel's Organic and Valmont
History:
André Besnier started a small cheese-making company in 1933 and launched its Président brand of Camembert in 1968. In 1990 it acquired Group Bridel (2,
300 employees, 10 factories, 4th largest French dairy group), with presence in 60 countries. In 1992 it acquired United States cheese company Sorento. In 1999 la société Besnier became le groupe Lactalis, owned by Belgium-based holding company BSA International SA. In 2006 they bought Italian group Galbani, and in 2008 bought Swiss-based cheese maker Baer. In 2007, the French INAO (Institut National des Appellations d'Origine) which administers AOC (L'appellation d'origine contrôlée) designations for French food products, refused to permit Lactalis and the dairy cooperative, Isigny-Sainte-Mère, to sell pasteurized Camembert as "true Camembert". These two companies, as of 2007, represented between 80 and 90 percent of Normandy camembert sales. Operations:
Owned by Belgium-based holding company BSA International SA, Lactalis in 2008 had global revenues of 9.35 billion euros, 5.6 billion euros (60%) outside France. According to the company's website, Lactalis has 16,500 employees outside France, at 44 production sites. [2] Lactalis USA is located in New York City.
