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Wikipedia / Bel Group

The Bel Group (legally Société Bel) is a French multinational food industry company headquartered at 2 allée de Longchamp in Suresnes (near Paris), Île-de-France. It specializes in portion-controlled cheese, fruit, and plant-based products. The company "Établissements Jules Bel" were founded in 1865 in Orgelet in the (Jura) Department. The group manufactures and markets processed, cooked, semi-cooked and pressed cheeses, many of which are sold in individual portions. The family-owned group became a major player in the sector through brand development, international expansion, and various acquisitions during the 20th century. It later diversified into plant-based and fruit-based products after the 2000s.

Bel is a family-owned multinational group operating in more than 120 countries, with annual revenue of approximately €3.83 billion in the early 2020s. It employs nearly 11,000 people and owns a portfolio of consumer brands including The Laughing Cow (La Vache qui rit), Babybel, Kiri, Boursin, and Pom'Potes. Since 25 January 2022, Bel has been 94.70% owned by the family holding company Unibel, in which the Fiévet family holds an 80% stake and is the controlling shareholder. On May 12, 2022, the group's board of directors appointed Cécile Béliot as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and renewed Antoine Fiévet's mandate as Chairman of the Board. In 2024, Bel adopted the status of a mission-led company (Entreprise à mission), committing itself to the goal of providing "healthier and more sustainable food for all."

Overview

The Bel Group is headquartered at 2 allée de Longchamp in Suresnes (near Paris), Île-de-France. It manufactures and distributes processed and semi processed cheeses, frequently packaged in individual portions. The company "Établissements Jules Bel" was founded in 1865 in Orgelet in the Department of the Jura. The Laughing Cow, Babybel, Kiri, Leerdammer and Boursin are Bel's five core brands that are distributed on five continents.

As of 2024, the Bel Group has 30 production sites, and its products are sold in 120 countries.

History

The company was founded in 1865 by Jules Bel, under the name of Établissements Jules Bel in Orgelet.

In 1921, his son Léon Bel registered the La vache qui rit brand. Eight years later, in 1929, he created its first subsidiary in the United Kingdom. In 1933, another subsidiary was established in Belgium. In 1947, the Bonbel brand was launched. Three years later, in 1950, the company acquired Port Salut, which had been founded in 1816. In 1952, they launched Babybel. A new subsidiary was established in Germany in 1959.

Six years later, in 1965, another subsidiary was established in Spain; it would later become known as Bel España. (Bel Spain). The Kiri brand was launched in 1966. Meanwhile, a year later, in 1967, another subsidiary was established in the Netherlands; it would later become known as Bel Nederland (Bel Netherlands). The following year, in 1968, Les Fromageries Picon merged with the company.

In 1970, a new subsidiary was established in the United States. Two years later, in 1972, it acquired Samos and launched Sylphide. The following year, in 1973, it acquired Crowson in the United Kingdom, later to become known as Bel UK. That same year, it also established a subsidiary in Switzerland, later to become known as Bel Suisse (Bel Switzerland). A year later, in 1974, it established a subsidiary in Morocco, later known as SIALIM.

In 1976, it acquired the Société anonyme des fermiers réunis (SAFR) and its subsidiaries. In 1977, it acquired an Italian company, later to become known as Bel Cademartori. It also launched Mini Babybel. A year later, in 1978, it acquired another company in Sweden, later to become known as Bel Sverige (Bel Sweden). By 1989, it acquired the Adler company in Germany, later to become known as Bel Adler (Edelcreme).

It then launched the Mini Bonbel in 1990. A year later, in 1991, it acquired the Maredsous company in Belgium. Three years later, in 1994, it acquired the Cademartori company in Italy, later to become known as Bel Cademartori in 2001. It also acquired the Queserías Ibéricas company in Spain. By 1996, it acquired the Lacto Ibérica company in Portugal (Limiano, Terra Nostra) and the Kaukauna company in the United States, later known as Bel Kaukauna.

In 1998, it established a subsidiary in Egypt (Bel Egypt) and acquired the Middle East Food Industry, later known as the Bel Egypt Food Company. It also acquired Kraft Chorzele in Poland, later to become known as Bel Polska (Bel Poland). Additionally, it launched Mini Babybel in Maasdam. By 2000, it acquired the Želetavská Sýrárna company in the Czech Republic (Želetava, Apetitto) and the Zempmilk company in Slovakia (Karička). The following year, in 2001, it established a subsidiary in Algeria, known as Bel Algeria.

A year later, in 2002, it acquired the assets of Merkts and Owl's Nest through its United States based subsidiary, Bel Kaukauna.

It also acquired Syrokrém in Slovakia and established subsidiaries in Greece (Bel Hellas Cheese Company) and in Tunisia (Bel Tunisia). Additionally, it terminated the production of soft cheese by the SAFR. It also acquired the Dutch Leerdammer Group and its European subsidiaries based in Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Belgium and the Czech Republic. It also acquired Fromagerie Boursin from Unilever.

In 2003, it terminated the activities of Manchego through its Queserías Ibéricas subsidiary. Two years later, in 2005, it terminated the activities carried out under the Cademartori brand. Meanwhile, it established subsidiary in Syria, known as Bel Syria. By 2009, it changed its logo. In 2015, it acquired 70% of Safilait, a cheese company in Morocco.

In October 2016, Bel acquired a 65% stake in the MOM Group for €850 million. MOM owns several food brands, including Mont Blanc and Materne.

In March 2021, Bel announced an agreement with Lactalis under which it sold the Leerdammer brand, along with its German, Italian, and Ukrainian subsidiaries, in exchange for the 23.16% stake that Lactalis held in Bel.

Bel's corporate foundation

Bel's Corporate Foundation was created in May 2008 by the Bel group and its reference shareholder, Unibel. The Bel Foundation was created to promote a balanced diet and preserving the environment, as far as it is required for a healthy diet. Rather than support big initiatives, the Foundation supports a number of projects around the world.

Lab'Bel

Lab'Bel is Bel's Art Laboratory, inaugurated in the spring of 2010, and sponsored by the Group and its main shareholder, Unibel. Heading up Lab'Bel are artist Laurent Fiévet, a member of the Bel family, and Silvia Guerra, an art critic and exhibit curator.

Since its founding, Bel has supported artists such as illustrators Benjamin Rabier, who designed the Laughing Cow, Francisque Poulbot, known for his iconic drawings of Parisian children, and celebrated animator Paul Grimault. Bel sponsors a museum dedicated to its legendary cow – La Maison de La vache qui rit (The Laughing Cow Museum), in Lons-le-Saunier – which also houses special events hosted by Lab'Bel.

Bel Group brands

See also

References