Biography of Emmanuel Besnier
Born on September 18, 1970, in Laval, France, Emmanuel Besnier is a prominent French businessman known for his leadership in the global dairy industry. As the third-generation leader of the Lactalis Group, Emmanuel's educational foundation was set at the Institut Supérieur de Gestion in Paris, where he acquired essential business acumen.
Current Role and Responsibilities
Emmanuel Besnier has been at the helm of the Lactalis Group as its CEO since 2000. Under his leadership, the company, which was founded by his grandfather André Besnier in 1933, has grown to become one of the most significant dairy manufacturers globally. Lactalis operates in more than 80 countries and employs over 85,000 people worldwide.
Significant Career Events
Emmanuel Besnier's tenure as CEO has been marked by several pivotal events. In 2011, he orchestrated the acquisition of Parmalat, expanding Lactalis' influence in the Italian market and underscoring a strategic move to extend beyond European borders. A challenging period arose in 2017 when a salmonella outbreak was linked to Lactalis' baby formula products. This incident posed a considerable reputation risk, prompting a substantial product recall. Despite his usual media shyness, Emmanuel took a public stance, assuring stakeholders of stringent safety protocol improvements. His leadership saw Lactalis recover and reinforce its market position. Another landmark achievement was reached in 2020 when the company reported €20 billion in sales, illustrating Emmanuel's effective steering of the company's growth trajectory. Furthermore, Emmanuel highlighted Lactalis' resilience and commitment to growth by investing over €1 billion in strategic projects.
References
This information is based on business journals and public records of Lactalis Group's events and Emmanuel Besnier's contributions to the dairy sector.
Modified: 2025/05/18