Early Life
Jean-Michel Besnier was born around 1968 in Laval, Mayenne, France. He is the son of Michel Besnier, who served as CEO of Lactalis from 1955 to 2000, and his paternal grandfather, André Besnier, founded the Besnier Group (later known as Lactalis) in 1933. Jean-Michel has a brother, Emmanuel Besnier, who is the current CEO of Lactalis, and a sister, Marie.
Rise to Success
Jean-Michel, along with his siblings, inherited 100% ownership of Lactalis. Under their leadership, Lactalis has grown into one of the largest dairy companies in the world, with a presence in over 150 countries. The company sells products including President brie, Milkmaid yogurts and Valbreso Feta.
Key Business Strategies
The key to Lactalis's success has been the expansion of its global presence, the acquisition of numerous dairy companies, and an increase in market share. Lactalis has also invested heavily in its global operations, allocating over US$1.07 billion to enhance manufacturing facilities.
Philanthropy
Jean-Michel Besnier is known for his philanthropic activities and support of various charitable organizations. He has also made significant contributions to the local community and the dairy industry.