page_title: Michel Besnier
section_title: Career
hierarchical_section_title: Michel Besnier / Career
caption_attribution_description: English: French cheese Camembert fabriqué en Normandie by President
context_page_description: Michel Besnier was a French heir and businessman. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Besnier Group, later known as Lactalis.
context_section_description: Besnier started his career at the family business alongside his father in 1946. After his father died in 1955, he became its Chief Executive Officer. 
  He launched Président, the brand of camembert, in 1968. He also acquired Lepetit, Lanquetot, puis Bridel, Lactel and Roquefort Société. His success lay in his ability to predict the vast expansion of supermarkets.
  He changed the company name to Lactalis in 1999.
caption: Président camembert.
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