KEY DATES
- 1933: The company was founded in Laval, in the heart of Mayenne by André Besnier, who began making camembert under Le Petit Lavallois brand name
- 1955: His son Michel Besnier took over the reins of the company, which then had fifty employees. He initiated external growth in the 1960s
- 1968: Launch of the Président brand
- 1969: Launch of the first milk packaged in Tetra Pak UHT cartons
- 1972: The company first expanded internationally in the US, followed by Spain, Italy, Poland…
- 1999: The company was renamed Lactalis Group. That same year, the Lactopôle museum was opened by Michel Besnier
- 2000: Emmanuel Besnier began chairing the Group and accelerating the international growth
- 2006: Acquisition of the company Galbani and launch of a Lactalis/Nestlé joint venture