Groupe Bel

Pic: Lactalis

Lactalis completes acquisition of Leerdammer and Shostka

By Jim Cornall

Global dairy company The Lactalis Group has acquired the European cheese brand Leerdammer, in an operation that includes Royal Bel Leerdammer The Netherlands, Bel Shostka Ukraine, the commercialization of Bel products in Italy, Germany and Ukraine and...

During the 12-month pilot program, Bel and DFA will support the adoption of energy-efficient and cost-effective on-farm milk cooling methods. Pic: Bel

Bel Brands USA to work with DFA on sustainable milk cooling program

By Jim Cornall

Bel Brands USA has announced a new program in partnership with dairy cooperative Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) to implement and measure sustainable cooling practices designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by reducing on-farm energy usage.

Bel’s board of directors has declared itself in favor of the move towards separate governance as of 2022.  Pic: Groupe Bel

Changes in governance at Bel Group

By Jim Cornall

French dairy company the Bel Group has announced its intention to move towards a form of governance that separates the functions of chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer, which should lead Antoine Fiévet and the nomination committee...

Since Bel bought it in 2002, Leerdammer sales and earnings have nearly doubled.  Pic: Groupe Bel

Lactalis set to buy Leerdammer cheese from Bel

By Jim Cornall

Bel Group and Lactalis Group said they have begun exclusive negotiations, with Bel Group set to sell Royal Bel Leerdammer NL, Bel Italia, Bel Deutschland, the Leerdammer brand and all related rights plus Bel Shostka Ukraine, to the French dairy giant.

The Laughing Cow has launched two new product lines. Pic: Laughing Cow

The Laughing Cow launches new snacks

By Jim Cornall

Featuring plant-based ingredients like lentils, red beans and chickpeas, or portable cup packaging, The Laughing Cow's newest offerings in the US have been created to meet rising demand for better-for-you snack options and on-the-go snacking.

Dairy Dialog podcast 118: Babybel, CP Kelco, Gadot Biochemical. Pics: Babybel, CP Kelco, Gadot Biochemicals

Dairy Dialog podcast 118: Babybel, CP Kelco, Gadot Biochemical

By Jim Cornall

There are four guests on the podcast this week. We have conversations with Babybel senior brand manager Ridhi Barber; sales and marketing manager at Gadot Biochemical, Youval Saly; and from CP Kelco, Sandra Catarino, marketing director, strategic segments,...

Available in six-count packages, Babybel Plus+ Probiotic and Babybel Plus+ Vitamins launch at US retailers next month. Pic: Babybel

Babybel goes functional with vitamins and probiotics

By Jim Cornall

To meet the rising consumer demand for functional products in 2021, Babybel is introducing a new range of functional dairy snacks in the US this month in two varieties, Babybel Plus+ Probiotic and Babybel Plus+ Vitamins.

A plant-based version of Boursin will be sold on the American market through the Amazon Fresh platform as of the end of October 2020. Pic: Bel

Bel includes plant-based in transformation strategy

By Jim Cornall

CEO of Bel Group Antoine Fievet and Cécile Béliot, executive vice-president in charge of strategy, growth levers and markets, have revealed innovation projects in a variety of markets to accelerate the group’s transformation.

The Bel Group is hoping to create a global snack-food company through its proposed acquisition of MOM Group.

Bel Group to acquire MOM Group from LBO

By Jim Cornall

The Bel Group and MOM Group’s management team have agreed to undertake exclusive negotiations with LBO France to acquire the MOM Group.

Wessanen quits dairy sector

Wessanen quits dairy sector

The reorganisation of Dutch group Wessanen is now complete with the
sale of Leerdammer, the last of its dairy units, to Fromageries Bel
of France. The group will now focus on the wellness sector - but
this will not necessarily lead...