Besnier USA Becomes Lactalis USA; Company Acquires Simplot Dairy Products

Following the January 1999 name change of its parent company from Compagnie Laitiere Besnier (Laval, France) to Groupe Lactalis, Besnier USA today announced that it will change its name to Lactalis USA, effective May 1.

The domestic name change coincides with finalization of Lactalis USA's purchase of Simplot Dairy Products Inc., a cheese producer with operations in Idaho, Wisconsin, and Washington, on March 31. As part of the name change, Simplot Dairy Products will change its name to Sorrento Lactalis, Inc. Sorrento Lactalis will own and operate the Swiss Village cheese plant in Nampa, Idaho as well as plants in Arpin, Wisconsin; Lacy, Washington; and Salmon, Idaho.

Lactalis USA operations will include Sorrento Cheese Company Inc. and Sorrento Lactalis Inc., operating nine manufacturing facilities, with annual sales of over $800 million. Lactalis USA manufactures and markets a full line of cheeses with brands such as President, Sorrento, Precious, Oly, Olympia Naturals, Bella Gento, Swiss Village, Arpin, Salmon Valley, and Mountain Farms.