History

In March 2024, the Group was admitted to the Euronext BEL-20 Index. Our CEO Jan Boone and Executive Committee proudly represented the Group and symbolically rang the bell.

In February of 2024, Lotus Bakeries has opened a production facility for nākd® Bars in Wolseley, South Africa. This development reflects the company's commitment to local production, job creation and sustainability.

Lotus Bakeries proudly announced its 2023 annual results with strong performances for all strategic pillars and a revenue milestone of EUR 500 million for Lotus® Biscoff®. This annual result showed significant milestones underscoring the company’s ambitious endeavors.

“I want to call out foremost a special thank you to all 2,984 people at Lotus Bakeries who made this possible. This is a team effort from all of us, working together every day, across boundaries of departments, brands and countries.”

-CEO JAN BOONE

On August 11th Lotus Bakeries proudly announced its half-year results. Reaching a new milestone of half a billion euro in sales after the first six months of 2023.

FF2032, Lotus Bakeries' corporate venture fund, announces the closing of a minority investment in US company IQBAR. FF2032 acted as the lead investor in IQBAR's Series B round to support the growth of the company.

Lotus Bakeries acquires 100% of the shares of Peter's Yard, a British artisanal sourdough company that produces healthy and delicious sourdough crackers, crispbreads and crisps made from only natural ingredients. 

FF2032, Lotus Bakeries’ corporate venture fund, announced the closing of a minority investment in US brand ‘The Good Crisp Company’ in December 2021. The company offers a range of natural, gluten-free, clean-label, non-GMO and allergen friendly chips that are entirely free of artificial flavourings, colorants and taste enhancers.

In May, FF2032 acquired a minority stake in the Dutch brand Oot Granola. Oot markets healthy, organic and gluten-free granolas.

On 29 March 2021, Lotus Bakeries acquired all of the shares in Lotus Bakeries Italia. From a new office in Milan, Lotus Bakeries' own team will further strengthen its position on the Italian market.

To further support the growth of Natural Foods, Lotus Bakeries sets up an international Natural Foods headquarters in Switzerland.

FF2032 closes a minority investment in US company Partake Foods. Partake is a fast-growing allergen-friendly brand that markets gluten-free and allergy-friendly cookies.

The unique Biscoff® taste forms the basis for a specially developed new range of Lotus® Biscoff® chocolate. The range consists of two varieties: milk chocolate with crunchy Biscoff® pieces and milk chocolate with smooth Biscoff® Spread filling.

FF2032 takes a minority stake in Love Brands Inc., a US company that markets a delicious crunchy corn snack under the LOVE Corn brand. 

In May 2020, Lotus Bakeries purchases the majority of the remaining stake of Natural Balance Foods' founders Jamie & Greg Combs.

Lotus Bakeries launches the Biscoff® Sandwich cookie: two delicious cookies with a smooth chocolate, vanilla or Biscoff® cream filling.

Lotus Bakeries achieves a turnover of EUR 612.7 million in 2019

Lotus Bakeries sets up incubator fund FF2032 and makes a first investment by acquiring 20% of the shares of Peter's Yard

Following the opening of 2 new production facilities in 2019, Lotus Bakeries quickly grows in number of employees. A new milestone of 2,000 employees is reached.

The first US made Biscoff Cookie can be found on American shelves following the opening of a new Lotus Biscoff manufacturing facility in the US.

Lotus Biscoff Ice cream is launched internationally, ready to melt many hearts.

Acquisition and opening of the new BEAR factory in Wolseley, South Africa.

Lotus Bakeries focuses its CSR initiatives on educational programmes such as the Kusasa Project.

Lotus Bakeries organises successful International Partner Meetings in the UK and the US for distributors of BEAR and Biscoff.

Lotus Bakeries is active worldwide in about seventy countries.

Acquisition of Kiddylicious, a British baby snacking brand that creates nutritious, delicious, portion-controlled snacks and meals for growing babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers.

From left to right: Jan Boone (CEO Lotus Bakeries), Isabelle Maes (CEO Natural Foods), Sally Preston (Founder Kiddylicious), Neil Mather (Commercial Director Kiddylicious)

In 2016 the US becomes the biggest sales market for Lotus® Biscoff®.

Reaching a turnover of more than EUR 500 million, Lotus Bakeries sets a new record.

The executive committee (EXCO) and several corporate departments move into brand-new headquarters in the former presbytery in Lembeke.

Lotus Bakeries invests further in the healthy snacking segment with the acquisition of BEAR, a kids fruit snacking brand that offers natural snacks made from pure fruit.

From left to right: Jan Boone (CEO Lotus Bakeries), Isabelle Maes (CEO Natural Foods) , Hayley Gait-Golding (Founder), Andrew Gait-Golding (Founder), Giles Brook (Partner).

Lotus Bakeries strikes a strategic partnership with Natural Balance Foods ('NBF') and with that, ventures in the healthy snacking segment. NBF is a pioneering British wholefood company which offers uncomplicated bars under the Nakd and TREK brands.

From left to right: Jamie Combs (Founder NBF), Greg Combs (Founder NBF), Jan Boone (CEO Lotus Bakeries), Isabelle Maes (CEO Natural Foods)

With its own sales office in China and South Korea (2015), Lotus continues its strong presence and growth in the Asian market.

In 2012, the iconic Dinosaurus brand becomes part of the Lotus family and targets children and young people with its crunchy biscuits.

In 2011, Jan Boone becomes CEO of the Lotus Bakeries Group and leads the members of the executive committee on a day-to-day basis.

With a turnover of more than EUR 250 million, Lotus Bakeries reaches a new milestone in 2008.

Lotus® Biscoff® becomes much more than your coffee's favourite companion. As from 2008, the unique taste of caramelised biscuits can also be found in a sweet spread. Its surprising taste brings variation to the table, whenever you enjoy a slice of bread or toast. Apart from being a delicious alternative for traditional spreads, it's also often used as an ingredient for delicious desserts, like tiramisu or Lotus® Biscoff® cheesecake.

In November 2008, Lotus Bakeries acquires Annas, a company characterised by its ambition to bake the world's best Pepparkakor or ginger thins. Annas now has a presence in over 20 different countries.

As of 2006, Matthieu Boone takes over from Karel Boone as CEO of Lotus Bakeries.

With the acquisition of Peijnenburg, Lotus integrates delicious gingerbread in its range of specialities.

The start of the new millennium is marked by Biscoff's first export into the Middle East.

In 1999, Suzy waffles is welcomed into the Lotus family. Ever since, the waffles are being enjoyed at heart-warming occasions with family and friends.

In 1998, Lotus Bakeries reaches a new milestone in terms of turnover, for the first time exceeding EUR 100 million.

In the 1990's, Lotus® Biscoff® is first exported to the US via Airlines, slowly winning the hearts of American consumers in the process.

Lotus bakeries was listed on the Brussels Stock Exchange in 1988, with the Boone & Stevens family as shareholders.

From left to right: Karel Boone (former CEO Lotus Bakeries), Antoine Stevens (Founder Corona)

Moving beyond borders, Lotus Bakeries introduces its unique flavour on the Asian market in 1980.

Karel Boone assumes the position of CEO at the head of Corona-Lotus.

Partnering up with the Stevens family in 1974, Lotus merges with Corona and now also includes delicious cakes and pastry within its product range.

Through the years, Lotus® Biscoff®'s popularity rises far beyond the borders and is distributed to our neighbouring countries.

The very first Lotus biscuit was introduced in the food industry as the biscuit to be served with coffee. It's an instant hit because tastewise, coffee and the caramelised biscuit have complementary taste profiles. They boost each other's flavour.

Our history begins in 1932, when Jan Boone Sr. creates a caramelised cookie with nothing but natural ingredients. He names it Lotus, after the flower that symbolises purity.