1939
Founding of a family company

founding-of-a-family-company

Our story starts with Gerard Vanherpe, who sets up a flour mill (Ganda Molens) in Ghent, Belgium. Today, his grandsons Guido and Marc Vanherpe are the 3rd generation to lead our company.

"A hard-working, no nonsense, lifelong entrepreneur with vision, passion for quality & excellence."

1973
From acre to baker

from-acre-to-baker

In the sixties, Gerard’s sons Erik and Johan join the company. By taking over ‘La Lorraine Artisan Bakery’ in Ninove (Belgium), the business diversifies from milling into bakery. The bakery was founded in 1943 at Place Sainte Catherine in Brussels and moved to new premises in 1970.

1980’s
Breakthrough innovation

breakthrough-innovation

LLBG pioneers with a groundbreaking new bakery technology: bake-off. Products are partially baked, frozen and then delivered to the clients who bake off exactly what they need and when they need it. More convenience, less waste!

1982
Panos is born

panos-is-born

Start-up of the concept Panos. Aim: selling bread, viennoiserie and quick sandwich lunches to consumers. First store opens in Ostend (Belgium).

1989
New frozen factory

new-frozen-factory

Construction of a new frozen bakery in Erpe-Mere (Belgium).

1999
‘Go East strategy’ takes off

go-east-strategy-takes-off

For the first time, LLBG invests outside of its home country Belgium. We go east, towards the Czech Republic, where we start a joint venture with bakery Delta Frozen in Kladno (near Prague).

2005
First steps in Poland

first-steps-in-poland

Our ‘Go East strategy’ continues with the acquisition of Nowakowski bakery in Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki, near Warsaw, now known as La Lorraine Poland.

2005
Welcome, PANESCO!

welcome-panesco

In the same year, LLBG also acquires and adds a brand to its portfolio: PANESCO Europe, which focuses on foodservice.

2008
Disastrous fire

disastrous-fire

On 28 October, a huge fire destroys our largest fresh bakery in Ninove (Belgium). It is completely rebuilt in only a year.

“What does not kill you, makes you stronger.”

2012
Entrepreneur of the Year

entrepreneur-of-the-year

LLBG is nominated ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’, a prestigious award in Belgium. The event created a fantastic feeling of pride and togetherness in our entire organisation. Alongside us in the hall of fame are many great Belgian companies such as Soudal, Katoen Natie, DEME, etc. 

2014
First Highbay warehouse

first-highbay-warehouse

Opening of our first Highbay, in the Czech Republic. It is a high-tech frozen warehouse of more than 40 meters high, drastically increasing our production and storage capacity and improving our logistic flow.

2016
Opening new Turkish production site

opening-new-turkish-production-site

LLBG builds a brand new state-of-the-art bakery near Izmir, Turkey. Our gateway to the Turkish and Middle East markets!

2019
80 Years of Shared Passion

80-years-of-shared-passion

LLBG celebrates its 80th birthday with all 4,000 employees across the group, throwing fantastic parties which will be remembered for a long time!

2022
Integration of joint-venture in Hungary

integration-of-joint-venture-in-hungary

In 2021, LLBG increased its stake in Hungarian joint-venture partner Pékpont. In 2022, the more than 250 colleagues were fully integrated in our company. Pékpont was founded in 1997 and is known for selling artisan bakery products.

2022
Acquisition local bakery plant in Abu Dhabi (UAE)

acquisition-local-bakery-plant-in-abu-dhabi-u

We expanded our production footprint to the Middle-East region, with the acquisition of a frozen bakery plant in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The aim is to support our ambitious growth plans in the region, especially in the segment of rustic touch breads.