WINNER 2019
For more than 30 years, Lino A. Saputo, Jr. has been one of the major contributors to Saputo‘s success. Chairman of the Board of Directors (BD) since 2017 and CEO since 2004, he has made a number of major acquisitions that have given the company, founded by his father in 1954, a giant leap forward.
Last year, Lino A. Saputo, Jr. had a successful year with the purchase of Australian Murray Goulburn for $1.3B, Ontarian Shepherd Gourmet Dairy for $100M and American F&A Dairy Products for $113M. His company is now preparing to acquire the British Dairy Crest Group for $1.7B.
Good leadership involves giving people the latitude to grow while keeping them accountable for their decisions.
Lino A. Saputo, Jr.’s strategy has propelled the company among the top 10 dairy processors in the world, with revenues of $11.5B. It employs 15,000 people in 62 plants, including 22 in Canada, and exports to 40 countries. A visionary, Lino A. Saputo Jr. has several other acquisitions in his sights.
Involved in the community
Buying companies is one thing, integrating them well and growing them is another. Lino A. Saputo, Jr. excels in this regard, focussing on best practices in governance and human resource management. The development of skills, promotion of diversity and equal opportunities are particularly important to him. He is also very proud that Saputo’s Board of Directors is 50% women.
Finally, Lino A. Saputo, Jr. is actively involved in promoting his industry and in many social causes, in particular Centraide of Greater Montreal and as Chairman of the BD of the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation. He also acts regularly as a mentor to young people.