FCCCO CXO Rendez-Vous: Leadership, Growth and Innovation with Mark Taylor, President & CEO of Lactalis Canada

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The SME Club: Showcasing Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Before the CXO Rendez-Vous, participants gathered for the FCCCO's SME Club, a dedicated session highlighting the expertise and achievements of one of the Chamber's member companies.

On this occasion, Jerzy Debski, representing Albéa Tubes, introduced the company and shared insights into its activities, innovation strategy, and role within the global packaging industry. The presentation offered attendees a valuable opportunity to discover the journey of a leading industrial player while encouraging meaningful exchanges among members of the France–Canada business community.

Lactalis Canada: A Major Player in the Canadian Food Industry

Lactalis Canada is one of the country’s leading dairy companies and part of Lactalis Group, a global leader in the dairy industry.

Through a broad portfolio of well-known brands and products, the company plays an important role in Canada’s food ecosystem, serving consumers across the country while working closely with employees, producers, customers, and business partners.

Its development combines organic growth, strategic acquisitions, operational investment, and continuous innovation.

This approach enables Lactalis Canada to respond to evolving consumer expectations while strengthening its long-term position in a highly competitive market.

A Fireside Chat with Mark Taylor

As President and CEO of Lactalis Canada, Mark Taylor shared his perspective on leading a large organization through transformation and uncertainty.

Drawing on his experience in the food industry, he discussed how leaders can maintain momentum while adapting to technological change, evolving market conditions, and increasingly complex business environments.

The conversation highlighted the importance of combining strategic ambition with practical execution, while ensuring that employees remain actively involved in the transformation process.

Digital Transformation Begins with People

Artificial intelligence and digital technologies are changing how organizations operate, make decisions, and engage with their customers.

However, Mark Taylor emphasized that successful digital transformation is not driven by technology alone. Its impact depends on how effectively employees understand, adopt, and use new tools.

AI can help teams access information more quickly, improve decision-making, simplify processes, and focus their efforts on higher-value activities.

Technology becomes a true business accelerator when it empowers people rather than simply adding new systems or processes.

Growth Requires Ambition and Measured Risk-Taking

Lactalis Canada’s growth strategy combines acquisitions with organic development and continued investment in its operations.

This approach reflects a long-term vision in which growth requires both discipline and boldness. Organizations must be willing to invest, test new approaches, and make measured decisions even when the broader economic environment remains uncertain.

Innovation is not limited to launching new products or adopting new technologies. It also involves reconsidering established practices, identifying emerging opportunities, and making thoughtful investments that prepare the business for future growth.

The Importance of the CXO Rendez-Vous

Beyond the insights shared, this conversation highlighted the value of creating spaces where business leaders can exchange openly about their experiences and challenges.

The FCCCO CXO Rendez-Vous brings together senior executives from across sectors to discuss the forces shaping the future of business. These conversations strengthen connections, encourage knowledge sharing, and contribute to a more dynamic France–Canada business ecosystem.

As organizations navigate increasingly complex transformations, access to trusted peer dialogue and diverse perspectives becomes more important than ever.

The FCCCO extends its sincere thanks to Mark Taylor for sharing his leadership experience and strategic insights, and to all participants for contributing to another meaningful and forward-looking discussion.