Early Life
Emanuele "Lino" Saputo was born on April 2, 1937, in Montelepre, Sicily, Italy. His father, Giuseppe, was a cheesemaker. In 1952, at the age of 15, Lino immigrated to Montreal, Canada, joining his father and brother. The family's journey from Italy to Canada laid the foundation for their future success in the dairy industry.
Rise to Success
In 1954, Lino's father, Giuseppe, started a cheese-making business with just $500 and a bicycle for deliveries. Lino took the reins of the company in 1969 as chairman. Under his leadership, Saputo Inc. grew into a global dairy processor. In 1997, Saputo Inc. went public, which allowed it to expand further through acquisitions and diversification. Today, Saputo's products are sold in over 60 countries.
Key Business Strategies
The key to Saputo's success was transforming the family business into one of the largest dairy processors worldwide through a strategic expansion that included acquisitions. The company also prioritized product quality and innovation. Saputo expanded its product offerings and geographical reach through multiple acquisitions, making Saputo a leading cheese manufacturer and fluid milk and cream processor in Canada, and a leading dairy processor in Australia and Argentina.
Philanthropy
Lino and his wife, Mirella, created a charitable foundation in 1979 to help sick and disabled children, women, and seniors. The Saputo family has also supported soccer in Quebec, notably by endowing Montreal with a professional soccer stadium in 2008.
