Lino Saputo

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Emanuele (Lino) Saputo was born in Montelepre, Italy, in 1937, to master cheesemaker Giuseppe and his wife, Maria. He completed his secondary schooling in 1952, and shortly thereafter the Saputo family emigrated to Montreal, Canada.

The Saputo cheese empire was founded in 1954 in Montreal by Lino Saputo and his parents, master cheesemaker Giuseppe and his wife Maria. Initially the company produced about 25 lbs of mozzarella per day. The first production facility was completed in 1957.

Saputo Inc. produces a third of all the mozzarella consumed in Canada. Cheesemaking has long been a part of the family tradition, but Lino Saputo turned it from pastime to trade when he rented a small workspace in a dairy at age 17. He and his father, Giuseppe, started by selling to Montreal's Italian community; later, they fed the city's growing appetite for Italian food.

In 1997 the company completed its initial public offering in Canada (TSX: SAP).

Today, Saputo has over 8,500 employees in 46 plants around the world, including Canada, USA, Argentina and Germany. Combining tradition and innovation, the Company produces, commercializes and distributes the highest quality products under such well-known brands as Saputo, Alexis de Portneuf, Armstrong, Baxter, Dairyland, De Lucia, Dragone, DuVillage de Warwick, Frigo, Kingsey, La Paulina, Nutrilait, Princesse, Ricrem, Sir Laurier d’Arthabaska, Stella, Treasure Cave, Big Daddy, HOP&GO!, Rondeau and Vachon.

It is currently one of the top twenty dairy processors in the world, the largest dairy processor in Canada, among the top five cheese producers in the United States, the third largest dairy processor in Argentina and the largest snack-cake manufacturer in Canada.

Lino Saputo became Chairman of the Board and President of Saputo Inc. in 1969, and was named Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in 1998. In March 2004, his son Lino Saputo, Jr. was appointed to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. Lino Saputo continues to act as the Company's Chairman of the Board.

Lino Saputo also owns an important stake in Montreal trucking company TransForce and has extensive investments in real estate, forest products, hotels and golf courses.

Lino Saputo is also known for his generous philanthropy and support of many causes including many hospitals in Montreal. In July 2006, Saputo committed $7.5 million towards the construction of Montreal Impact new soccer stadium at Olympic Park.

According to Forbes 2006 World's Richest People List, Lino Saputo is worth $2.4B USD and is ranked 317.