1900

At the turn of the century, just about every village had its own dairy. These were often cooperative dairies, associations of farmers who brought the milk to one central location, to process it there and then sell it together. When these dairies start working together, they establish the first Cooperatives. As time passes, various smaller cooperatives merge into larger ones.

1906

“Helpt Malkaar” (Help each other), a farmers’ guild, founds the cooperative society “Melkerij St-Paulus” in Langemark. Their motto: "For and by farmers." This will become the foundation for our future activities in Langemark.

1936

The ‘Sint-Jacobus’ dairy is founded to collect milk around most of the Waasland region. It will become the cornerstone of our Kallo operations.

1939

Right before the outbreak of WWII, Moorslede’s first dairy factory is baptized 'Sint-Martinus', after the parish’s patron saint. In 1948, following its WWII bankruptcy, the dairy is taken over by Roeselare’s farmers’ guild, who turn it into a cooperative dairy, “De Toekomst” ("The future"). The dairy will grow to become Flanders’ most well-known cheese factory.

1940 - 1946

During the war, the sector becomes increasingly professionalized, and the first steps towards automation are taken. Smaller cooperatives start running into difficulties, resulting in several mergers. About 10 smaller dairies join forces in the Limburg Lilac cv merger, founded in 1946. Another one, in the Antwerp region, is INZA (INtercoöperatieve Dairy Factory Antwerp), which is a merger of 15 cooperatives.

1948

Diary cooperative “De Toekomst” (The Future) in Moorslede initially produces milk, butter and milk powder. It starts producing cheese from 1959 onwards. A success story from the very start. The factory makes a name for itself with the excellent quality of its flavourful cheeses, which take home awards time and again.

1949

Ice cream manufacturer Ysco starts its operations in Zarren, in West Flanders. In 1975, a production hall is built in Langemark, where a dairy had been operational since 1906.

1951

Five cooperative dairy factories from East Flanders found S.V. De Melkweg (The Milky Way) - the former ‘Sint-Jacobus’ - in Kallo. The dairy becomes a household name fairly quickly. Within a 10-year span, all of the East Flemish cooperative dairy factories join The Milky Way.

1990 - 1992

The mergers continue over the years. 1991 sees the birth of the Belgian Dairy Union (BZU) (Antwerp, Limburg), a merger between INZA, Kempico, and the Kalmthout/Achterbroek dairy. Still in 1991, eight East and West Flemish cooperatives merge into Belgomilk. In 1992, YSCO joins the Belgomilk group. There are now effectively two big dairy groups in Belgium: BZU and Belgomilk.

1998

In order to promote and sell the cheeses it produces even better, Belgomilk takes over DUPONT cheese traders. Thus becoming the largest independent cheese wholesaler. The company now has a presence in all elements of the chain. Founded in Bruges, Kaasimport Jan Dupont nv have been importing, trading, cutting and packaging cheeses since 1929. Cheeseline, their in-house transport company, handles customer distribution.

2001

By taking over the Ségès-Frigécrème ice cream factory in Argentan, YSCO stakes a solid claim in France, as well.

2004

Belgomilk takes over cheese wholesaler AVOLAC, owners of well-known cheese brands Nazareth, Corsendonk and Postel and De Stroobloem butter. In doing so, they strengthen their position as the Belgian cheese specialists.

2005

BZU and Belgomilk join forces to become Milcobel on 1 January 2005. In the years that follow, Milcobel invests in innovation and automation in its factories of the future. The company becomes a household name in the market for cheese, milk powder, cheddar, mozzarella and private label ice cream. There are expansions here and there, with the company also making a name for itself on the international stage, and increasing exports across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Milcobel confirms its worth as an established player in the dairy landscape.