Michel Besnier | |
|---|---|
| Born | 18 September 1928 |
| Died | 11 June 2000 (aged 71) |
| Nationality | French |
| Spouse | Christiane Besnier |
| Children | Emmanuel Besnier Jean-Michel Besnier Marie Besnier Beauvalot |
| Parent | André 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 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]
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]
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]
He died on 11 June 2000 at his Marbella home.[2][3] He was seventy-one years old.