1923
The beginnings
Lallemand’s activities originally started in Montreal (Canada) with the production of fresh baker's yeast in 1923.
1943
Dry yeast production
The company began the production of dry yeast in 1943.
1976
The start of exportation
Export of dry yeast into the Caribbean and North Eastern US in 1976.
1989
The first expansion
American Yeast and its Baltimore plant were acquired in 1989, which marked the beginning of the expansion of Lallemand Baking activities outside of Canada.
1994
Acquisition in Estonia
Lallemand Baking became active in Europe through the acquisition of a yeast plant in Salutaguse (Estonia) in 1994. This acquisition strengthened Lallemand Baking presence in the Baltic and Eastern European countries, distributing fresh baker's yeast in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the Kaliningrad region of Russia.
1995
The start of Lallemand Baking Solutions
In 1995, the North American baking enzymes business of Gist-Brocades (now DSM) became part of Lallemand Baking North American activities.
2000
The growth of the Western European markets
In 2000, Lallemand Baking had the opportunity to grow its baker's yeast activities in the Western European markets with the acquisition of the Hamer Heffe Company and its Vienna plant in Austria and join a Bavarian yeast producer, to launch Hagold Hefe GmbH with plants operating in Schwarzenbach and Passau (Germany), as well as in Jozefow (Poland) and its own distribution system in Southern Germany and Austria and exports to Bulgaria, Slovakia, Serbia, France, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Sweden and Greece.
2001
Let's start
In 2001, Lallemand acquired the sourdough starter culture business of Chr. Hansen, which became part of Lallemand Baking EMEA activities.
2006
Anchor Yeast joins the Lallemand family
In 2006, Lallemand Baking acquired ownership of Rymco (Anchor Yeast), in South Africa, a long-standing leader in the production and distribution of yeast and ingredients for the baking and fermented beverage industries.
2007
New yeast production in Finland
In 2007, Lallemand Baking purchased Suomen Hiiva Oy, a Finnish yeast company operating a yeast plant in Lahti, Finland, and marketing its fresh baker's yeast in Finland and Russia. It also acquired the Danish company De Danske Gaerfabrikker AS with a plant located in Grenå.
2009
Growth in Europe
In 2009, Lallemand Baking acquired from AB Mauri, the GBI baker's yeast business in Spain and Portugal, the AB Mauri yeast plant located in Setúbal (Portugal) and the company GB Ingredients Ltd (GBI) from Cie des Levures Lesaffre operating in the UK and Ireland from its factory based in Felixstowe.
2016
Joint venture in Italy
In Europe, Lallemand Baking enters a joint yeast venture in Italy with another family owned company, Zeus IBA S.R.L., property of the Grechi family. This acquisition further broadens the unit’s product lineup while expanding its European research and development.
2016
Acquisition for Lallemand Baking Solutions
Acquisition of Best Bake BV in The Netherlands, allowing Lallemand Baking to expand their global presence and expertise of enzyme based solutions.
2016
New plant in Hattiesburg
In 2016, we acquired shares of USA Yeast LLC, a yeast producer in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
2018
Joint venture in Germany
Another joint venture is concluded in 2018 with Indawise, parent company of German yeast producer Deutsche Hefe Werke (DHW). Under the venture, the DHW plant in Nuremberg is jointly operated with Lallemand subsidiary Hagold Hefe as Lallemand-DHW, with its activities focused on baker’s yeast sales in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
2020
Full ownership of Zeus
After 4 years of joint ownership with the Zeus Baker’s yeast business in Florence, Italy, and thanks to the mutual trust relationship between the Grechi and Chagnon families, Lallemand acquires full ownership of Zeus.
2021
Acquisition in Greece
Lallemand Baking acquires the yeast business of Zanae in Greece. Zanae, also a family-owned company, commenced yeast production in Thessaloniki Greece in 1930 and in 1992 the company moved yeast production to a new facility in the industrial area of Sindos, Thessaloniki. As part of the acquisition deal, the Zanae yeast plant was closed down and the Greek entity is now supplied by Lallemand Baking plant in Florence, Italy.
2023
100 years of yeast production
In 2023, we celebrated the 100 years of yeast production at our Préfontaine plant in Montreal, Quebec.
2024
New products in South Africa
Lallemand Baking in South Africa has acquired the Marmite and Bovril spreads and the Savoury Foods Ingredients business from Pepsico South Africa.
2024
CerealTech joins the family
Lallemand acquired CerealTech from its founding and investor shareholders. CerealTech is a well-known and respected company in the APAC region servicing larger industrial bakeries with ingredient solutions. It will continue to operate from Singapore under its existing brands and with its current operations and commercial teams.
Currently, Lallemand Baking is the oldest of all Lallemand business units and remains a significant contributor to the company.