Emmanuel Besnier: A Leader in the Global Dairy Industry

Born on September 18, 1970, in Laval, France, Emmanuel Besnier has become a prominent figure in the dairy industry. He serves as the CEO and chairman of Lactalis Group, a company founded by his grandfather, André Besnier, in 1933.

Early Life and Education

Emmanuel Besnier received his education at the Institut Supérieur de Gestion in Paris, where he acquired strong business management skills. These skills have been instrumental in his leadership roles at Lactalis.

Career and Leadership at Lactalis

Since taking over as CEO in 2000, Emmanuel Besnier has been leading Lactalis as a third-generation leader. Under his stewardship, the company has expanded its operations to more than 80 countries, employing over 85,000 people worldwide.

Significant Career Highlights

Besnier's leadership has been marked by several significant events:

• In 2011, he led the acquisition of Parmalat, enhancing Lactalis' presence in the Italian market and extending its reach beyond Europe.
• In 2017, during a salmonella outbreak linked to Lactalis' baby formula products, he took a public stance to manage the crisis, initiating a major recall and promising improved safety protocols.
• By 2020, under his leadership, Lactalis reported €20 billion in sales, reflecting the company's robust growth and strategic investments exceeding €1 billion in various projects.

Despite his preference for staying out of the media spotlight, Emmanuel Besnier's strategic vision has reinforced Lactalis' market position and continued its legacy as a family-owned business. He has also highlighted the challenges posed by the surplus of dairy products in Europe and its impact on Lactalis' pricing strategy, emphasizing the importance of strong brands for market development.

Modified: 2026/05/14