Michel Besnier

Michel Besnier (1928–2000) was a French heir and businessman. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Besnier Group, later known as Lactalis.

Michel Besnier
Born	18 September 1928 Laval, Mayenne
Died	11 June 2000 (aged 71) Marbella, Spain
Nationality	French
Spouse(s)	Christiane Besnier
Children	Emmanuel Besnier Jean-Michel Besnier Marie Besnier Beauvalot
Parent(s)	André Besnier

Early life

Michel Besnier was born on 18 September 1928 in Laval, Mayenne.[1] His father, André Besnier, founded the Besnier Group, a cheese company, in 1933.[2] He received a Certificat d'études primaires.[3]

Career

Président camembert.

Besnier started his career at the family business alongside his father in 1946.[1] After his father died in 1955, he became its Chief Executive Officer.[2]

He launched Président, the brand of camembert, in 1968.[3] He also acquired Lepetit, Lanquetot, puis Bridel, Lactel and Roquefort Société.[3] His success lay in his ability to predict the vast expansion of supermarkets.[3]

He changed the company name to Lactalis in 1999.[2]

Personal life

He married Christiane Besnier.[3] They had two sons, Emmanuel and Jean-Michel, and a daughter, Marie.[2][3] They owned a house in Marbella, Spain.[3]

Death

He died on 11 June 2000 at his Marbella home.[2][3] He was seventy-one years old.

References

1. Lactalis: Michel Besnier
2. Le groupe Lactalis perd son président et propriétaire, Michel Besnier, Les Echos, June 14, 2000
3. Marie Bordet, Besnier, le milliardaire invisible, Le Point, May 19, 2011