03 February 2020
A fresh era arrives for the South African dairy industry this year as a new player enters the local market. Lactalis South Africa is the new name for Parmalat SA and this name change came into effect on 1 February 2020.
This is a name change only and it will not impact the company’s existing range of products, brands, projects or business operations. Lactalis South Africa will remain the home of quality and trusted brands such as Parmalat, Melrose, Président and SteriStumpie, as well as Bonnita, PureJoy, Galbani, and Aylesbury. These familiar brands hold strong positions across several dairy product categories, ranging from cheese, yoghurt, milk, and custard, to flavoured milk, cream, drinking yoghurt, maas, fruit beverages, butter and ice cream.
Parmalat SA has been a part of the international Lactalis family for the past nine years since the Lactalis Group bought Parmalat in 2011. The local name change to Lactalis South Africa is the final step towards fully integrating the South African business with its international parent company, a family business that has a rich history and tradition in bringing the enjoyment of dairy products into people’s lives.
Although the company name has changed to Lactalis South Africa, the existing company registration number, VAT number, banking details, site addresses, and telephone numbers remain the same.
The Lactalis Group is a family-led company guided by a passion for dairy that was founded in 1933 by André Besnier in Laval in the west of France, the heart of French dairy country. The Lactalis Group is the world’s number one dairy group with 250 production sites in 50 countries and more than 90 000 team members in 94 countries. In South Africa the international Lactalis Group legacy and knowledge now merges with local dairy know-how and passion that has provided jobs and wholesome dairy products in South Africa since the early 1900s.
Marek Warzywoda, Lactalis South Africa General Manager, says “the change of name in South Africa is an exciting step for the local dairy industry and shows that our global dairy group has confidence in the business opportunities in this region.
“We are committed to continue providing quality products under our well-known local and global brands. Lactalis South Africa will build on the many successes and hard work of those who came before us. Locally the roots of this business can be traced back to the early 1900s. This accumulated South African expertise now joins forces with a proud French family heritage also dating back to the early 1900s.”
