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
New plant in Hattiesburg
In 2016, we acquired shares of USA Yeast LLC, a yeast producer in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
2023
100 years of yeast production
In 2023, we celebrated the 100 years of yeast production at our Préfontaine plant in Montreal, Quebec.
Currently, Lallemand Baking is the oldest of all Lallemand business units and remains a significant contributor to the company.