Lactalis (www.lactalis.fr ) is a family-owned dairy group based in Laval (Mayenne), in the west of France.

In 1933, André Besnier started up his cheese-making company. On the first day he collected 17 litres of milk and produced 35 camemberts: the Besnier company was in business. Since then, the group, which adopted the more international name of Lactalis in 1999, has continued to expand rapidly.

Its range of products has grown considerably (cheeses, milk, cream, butter, ultra-fresh, etc.), as has the reputation of its products. Lactalis now owns a series of prestigious French and international brands.

The group now employs 38,000 people, and owns 125 industrial plants around the world, 76 in France, 57 abroad in 24 different countries.

It is the:
- number 2 dairy group in the world
- number 1 dairy and cheese group in Europe
- number 1 milk collector in Europe
- number 1 cheese producer in Europe

President is sold in more than 160 countries and represent more than 1.3 billion of euros of turnover and Galbani is sold in more than 85 countries with 1.1 billion of euros of turnover.

In 2009, the Lactalis Group reach a turnover of 8.5 billions of euros whose 56% in the world.

In the world, Lactalis is present in more than 160 countries outside of France, have 57 industrial plants and employs more than 22,000 people. The marketing of the group's products in the countries of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the French Overseas Départements & Territories is managed by the Lactalis International.