1933
1933
1933 – The Besnier Company was Founded in Laval
On October 19, 1933, André Besnier produced his first 17 Camembert cheeses under the brand name “Le Petit Lavallois.”
About Lactalis USA
About Lactalis USA
As part of Lactalis Group – our actions at Lactalis USA are guided by our Purpose, Nurturing the Future. This means fostering a responsible future guided by our Values and experience, and driven by our collective passion for dairy. From the refrigerator at home to the shelves of your favorite store and the kitchens of local restaurants, our foods are a part of everyday moments.
Lactalis USA is made up of global, regional and local dairy brands, offering cheeses, yogurts, butters, dairy ingredients, whey protein powders and whipped cream. Across our brands, dairy takes many forms, including Galbani® Italian cheeses, Président® specialty cheeses and gourmet butters, Kraft® Natural Cheese in natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s® cottage cheese, ricotta and sour cream, Cracker Barrel® cheese, Black Diamond® cheddar cheese, Parmalat® milk, yogurt brands such as Yoplait®, siggi’s®, Stonyfield Organic®, Brown Cow™, Green Mountain Creamery®, Mountain High®, Go-GURT®, :ratio®, Oui® and Karoun®, Gopi®, Arz®.
We also operate an import‑export business that links the Lactalis Group’s global dairy capabilities with U.S. markets. Alongside this, our foodservice business provides dairy products and expertise for restaurants, operators and culinary professionals, helping deliver exceptional taste and consistent results across their menus.
Around the country, we employ approximately 5,000 people across 13 manufacturing sites and seven corporate offices.
A History Shaped by Dairy
1968
1968
1968 - Launch of the Président Brand
Originally introduced with Camembert, Président expanded beyond cheese to bring together multiple types of dairy products under one brand.
1980s
1980s
1980s – Entering the United States
The company opens a New York import and export office, bringing French cheeses like Brie to the U.S., and acquires its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Belmont, Wisconsin, in 1981.
1990s
1990s
1990s – Lactalis Expands in the U.S.
Lactalis expands its U.S. footprint by acquiring plants in Buffalo, New York, and Nampa, Idaho.
2017
2017
2017 – Lactalis Grows its U.S. Product Portfolio with Stonyfield Organic and Karoun Dairies
Lactalis acquires Stonyfield Organic, a New Hampshire-based yogurt maker, rooted in organic dairy farming and quality ingredients.
The company also acquires Karoun Dairies, specializing in European, South Asian and Middle Eastern dairy products.
2018
2018
2018 – Lactalis Strengthens Its U.S. Yogurt Offering with siggi’s
siggi’s, rooted in Icelandic skyr traditions, grows Lactalis’ U.S. presence in the yogurt market.
2019
2019
2019 – Lactalis Acquires Commonwealth Dairy
Lactalis acquires Commonwealth Dairy, a yogurt maker inspired by the ingredients and the foothills of Vermont, with an additional manufacturing facility in Arizona.
2021
2021
2021 – Kraft Natural Cheese Joins Lactalis
Lactalis acquires Kraft Natural Cheese, Cracker Barrel, Breakstone’s and Knudsen, emerging as a leading player in the U.S. cheese market.
2025
2025
2025 – Lactalis Welcomes Yoplait to its Product Portfolio
Lactalis acquires the Yoplait, Go-GURT, Oui, Mountain High and :ratio businesses in the United States.