Bel Group
| Industry | Cheese marketing and manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Établissements Jules Bel |
| Founded | 1865 in Orgelet, Jura, France |
| Founder | Jules Bel |
| Headquarters | Suresnes , France |
Area served | Worldwide (120 countries) |
Key people | Laurent Fiévet (Lab'Bel director, member of Bel family) |
| Products | Processed and semi-processed cheeses (The Laughing Cow, Babybel, Kiri, Leerdammer, Boursin, etc.) |
| Owner | Unibel (principal shareholder) |
Number of employees | (2024) |
The Bel Group (known in French as Groupe Bel or Fromageries Bel) is an international cheese marketing company headquartered in France.
Overview
The Bel Group’s main office is located at 2 allée de Longchamp in Suresnes, Île-de-France. The company specializes in manufacturing and distributing processed and semi-processed cheeses, frequently offered in single-serving formats. Established in 1865 under the name “Établissements Jules Bel” in Orgelet, Jura, the business boasts flagship brands such as The Laughing Cow, Babybel, Kiri, Leerdammer, and Boursin, which are sold worldwide across five continents.
By 2024, Bel manages 30 manufacturing facilities and distributes its products to 120 countries.
History
Founded in 1865 by Jules Bel as Établissements Jules Bel in Orgelet, the company saw its first major brand, La vache qui rit, registered by Jules’s son, Léon Bel, in 1921. The first international subsidiary opened in the United Kingdom in 1929, followed by Belgium in 1933. The Bonbel brand was introduced in 1947, and the acquisition of Port Salut, originally established in 1816, occurred in 1950. The Babybel line debuted in 1952, with a German branch launched seven years later.
In 1965, Bel expanded into Spain with Bel España and launched Kiri the next year. The Netherlands subsidiary (Bel Nederland) was created in 1967, and the company merged with Les Fromageries Picon in 1968.
By 1970, Bel had established a presence in the United States. The company acquired Samos and introduced Sylphide in 1972; it also purchased Crowson (which later became Bel UK) and set up a Swiss subsidiary (Bel Suisse) in 1973. Expansion continued into Morocco through SIALIM in 1974.
In 1976, Société anonyme des fermiers réunis (SAFR) and its affiliates were acquired. The following year saw the purchase of Italian firm Bel Cademartori and the launch of Mini Babybel. Subsequent acquisitions included companies in Sweden (Bel Sverige) and Germany (Bel Adler).
The 1990s featured the release of Mini Bonbel (1990) along with acquisitions of Maredsous (Belgium), Cademartori (Italy), Queserías Ibéricas (Spain), Lacto Ibérica (Portugal), and Kaukauna (U.S.).
In 1998, the group entered Egypt by acquiring Middle East Food Industry (Bel Egypt) and expanded into Poland through Kraft Chorzele (Bel Polska). Between 2000 and 2001, new subsidiaries were established across the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Algeria, Greece, and Tunisia.
Through Bel Kaukauna in 2002, it acquired Merkts and Owl's Nest brands in the U.S., Syrokrem in Slovakia, while also incorporating European subsidiaries such as the Dutch Leerdammer Group and Fromagerie Boursin from Unilever.
Production of Manchego cheese via Queserías Ibéricas ended in 2003, with Cademartori operations ceasing by 2005. Additional subsidiaries were created including Bel Syria. The corporate logo underwent a redesign in 2009. In 2015, Bel secured a majority stake of 70% in Safilait, Morocco’s third-largest dairy producer.
Bel's corporate foundation
Established in May 2008 by both the Bel group and its principal shareholder Unibel, Bel's Corporate Foundation is dedicated to fostering balanced nutrition alongside environmental sustainability crucial for healthy eating habits. Rather than supporting large-scale projects, this Foundation opts to back a variety of initiatives worldwide.
Lab'Bel
Lab’Bel, also known as Bel's Art Laboratory, was established in the spring of 2010 with backing from the Group and Unibel. The initiative is directed by artist Laurent Fiévet, a member of the Bel family, alongside art critic Silvia Guerra.
Throughout its history, Bel has been a patron to notable artists such as illustrator Benjamin Rabier, who created the Laughing Cow character; Francisque Poulbot, recognized for his depictions of Parisian children; and animator Paul Grimault. Additionally, the company supports La Maison de La vache qui rit (The Laughing Cow Museum) located in Lons-le-Saunier, which serves as a venue for exclusive Lab’Bel exhibitions and events.
Bel Group brands
- Adler-Edelcrème
- Apéricube (including PartyCubes, Belcube, Cheese&Fun) (1960)
- Babybel (full size introduced in 1952; mini version launched in 1977)
- Bonbel (1947)
- Boursin (since 2007)
- Cantadou
- Cousteron
- Karička
- Karper (introduced in 2006)
- Kaukauna
- Kiri (1966)
- Leerdammer (acquired in 2002)
- Limiano
- Maredsous
- Merkts
- Nurishh
- Picon
- Port Salut
- Price's
- Régal Picon
- Smetanito / Želatava
- Sylphide
- Syrokrém
- Terra Nostra
- Toastinette
- The Laughing Cow () (originating in 1921)
- Le Véritable Port Salut (since 1950)
- Wispride