Bel UK & ROI History
To understand where we are today, you need to understand where we’ve been. And that means going all the way back to 1865 and a gentleman named Jules Bel. Explore our timeline below and see just how things have changed over 150 years.
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1865
Jules Bel set up his comté cheese ripening and trading business in France's Jura region.
1921
Léon Bel trademarked The Laughing Cow®, a product new to France at the time owing to its original recipe, soft texture, individual portion presentation, triangular format and packaging.
1929
Bel opened a UK subsidiary.
1973
Bel acquires Crowson, which becomes Bel UK.
1977
Mini Babybel is launched
1999
Mini Babybel supports Comic Relief for the first time.
2000
Mini Babybel Cheddar Variety is launched
2002
Bel acquires the Dutch Leerdammer group
2004
Bel launches The Laughing Cow Extra Light in the UK
2007
Acquisition of Boursin
2010
Commenced partnership with Kent Messenger Group to sponsor their Walk to School initiative
2010
Bel UK moves from Maidstone to Sevenoaks
2012
Bel sponsors 3 Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls for 2012 – Jack Green, Natalie Seymour and David Smith
2013
Launch of Boursin Portions Garlic & Herb and Boursin Black Pepper
2015
Launch of The Laughing Cow Light with Cheddar
2017
Launch of new recipe and pack for Boursin Garlic and Herb
New recipe and packs for The Laughing Cow range
2018
Launch of The Laughing Cow tubs and Mini Babybel Organic
2019
Launch of Babybel Mini Rolls
2021
Launch of Nurishh
2022
Launch of Babybel Plant-Based
2024
Bel UK celebrates 25 years of supporting Comic Relief
