Danone vs Post Holdings: Founders, CEOs and History
Danone was founded in 1919 by Isaac Carasso and is led by Antoine de Saint-Affrique. Post Holdings was founded in 2012 by William P. Stiritz and is led by Nicolas Catoggio.
Company facts
Danone
- Founded
- 1919
- Headquarters
- Paris, France
- Current CEO
- Antoine de Saint-Affrique
- Employees
- 90,000
Post Holdings
- Founded
- 2012
- Headquarters
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Current CEO
- Nicolas Catoggio
- Employees
- 13,180
Founders
Danone
Isaac Carasso
Isaac Carasso founded Danone in Barcelona in 1919, naming the yogurt after his son Daniel ('Danon' in Catalan).
Post Holdings
William P. Stiritz
William P. Stiritz is the founding Chairman and CEO of the modern Post Holdings. When Ralcorp spun off its Post cereal business in February 2012, Stiritz took charge of the new company and began the acquisition strategy that later added Michael Foods and MOM B…
CEOs and their tenures
Danone
- Antoine Riboud1973–1996
Former CEO and Architect of modern Danone
He turned a regional glass manufacturer into one of France's largest food groups, and his dual-project idea still frames Danone's mission status and B Corp certification.
Source - Franck Riboud1996–2014
Former CEO and Chairman
He pushed Danone deeper into emerging markets in Asia, Latin America and Africa and co-created Grameen Danone Foods with Muhammad Yunus in Bangladesh in 2006.
Source - Emmanuel Faber2014–2021
Former CEO and Chairman
Faber was praised for ESG leadership but criticized by activist investors such as Bluebell Capital and Artisan Partners for lagging sales growth, margins and share-price returns versus Nestle and Unilever. The board removed him in March 2021.
Source - Antoine de Saint-Affrique2021–present
Chief Executive Officer
Under his leadership like-for-like sales growth returned to the 3-5% range with positive volume/mix, recurring operating margin rose from 12.2% in 2022 to 13.4% in 2025 and recurring EPS reached EUR3.80.
Source
Post Holdings
- William P. Stiritz2012–2014
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
As the legendary Chairman and former CEO, the highly revered financial architect completely defined the company's complex, private-equity-style corporate structure.
Source - Robert V. Vitale2014–present
Executive Chairman (CEO 2014-2026)
Previously Post's CFO; from October 1, 2026 advises on capital allocation as Executive Chairman.
Source - Matthew J. Mainer2022–present
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
As CFO, he steers the company's aggressive, highly acquisitive capital allocation strategy, acting as the primary architect behind its massive M&A playbook.
Source - Nicolas Catoggio2026–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Former Boston Consulting Group Managing Director and Senior Partner who advised Post on M&A diligence and integrations before joining.
Source
Timeline: Danone and Post Holdings side by side
1919Danone
Danone founded in Barcelona
Isaac Carasso establishes Danone in Barcelona, Spain, producing yogurt as a medicinal product for children with digestive issues.
1929Danone
Expansion to France
Daniel Carasso founds the Societe Parisienne du Yoghourt Danone in Paris, turning the Barcelona pharmacy product into a French consumer brand.
1941Danone
Entry into the United States
Daniel Carasso flees Nazi-occupied France for New York, where he co-founds Dannon Milk Products in the Bronx in 1942, introducing the brand to American consumers.
1966Danone
BSN formed through glass merger
Antoine Riboud merges glassmakers Souchon-Neuvesel and Boussois to create BSN, the industrial group that would later become Danone.
1970Danone
BSN enters food and beverages
BSN buys Evian, Kronenbourg and Bledina, moving from glass into beverages and baby food. Evian remains Danone's flagship premium water brand.
1994Danone
Corporate name change to Danone
The company changes its name from BSN to Danone, reflecting the food and beverage business's dominance over the original glass operations. This rebranding completes the transformation from an industrial conglomerate into a focused health-food company.
2007Danone
Numico acquisition for ~$13.9 billion (EUR12.3 billion)
Danone acquires Dutch baby-food and medical nutrition group Royal Numico for about $13.9 billion (EUR12.3 billion) and sells its LU biscuit business to Kraft, creating today's Specialized Nutrition category (Aptamil, Nutrilon, Nutricia).
2012Post Holdings
Post Holdings Spin-Off
Post completed its separation from Ralcorp and began trading on the NYSE.
2013Post Holdings
Premier Nutrition Acquired
Post bought Premier Nutrition, the maker of Premier Protein, in 2013.
2014Post Holdings
Michael Foods Acquisition
Post expanded into egg products and foodservice through Michael Foods.
2015Post Holdings
MOM Brands Acquisition
Post broadened its cereal portfolio with MOM Brands.
2017Danone
WhiteWave acquisition for about $12.5 billion
Danone completes its roughly USD12.5 billion (including debt) acquisition of WhiteWave Foods in April 2017, adding Silk, Alpro, So Delicious and Horizon Organic and becoming a global leader in plant-based foods.
2017Post Holdings
Weetabix Acquisition
Post added the U.K. Weetabix cereal business.
2018Post Holdings
Bob Evans Acquisition
Post expanded refrigerated retail and foodservice exposure.
2019Post Holdings
BellRing Brands IPO
Post listed its active-nutrition business as BellRing Brands in October 2019.
2021Danone
Antoine de Saint-Affrique becomes CEO
Former Barry Callebaut CEO and Unilever executive Antoine de Saint-Affrique becomes CEO on September 15, 2021, after the board removed Emmanuel Faber in March 2021 under activist pressure.
2021Post Holdings
Peter Pan Acquired
Post bought the Peter Pan peanut butter brand from Conagra in January 2021.
2022Post Holdings
BellRing Brands Distribution
Post distributed most of its stake in BellRing Brands to its shareholders in March 2022.
2023Danone
EDP Russia exit and US organic dairy divestiture
Russia places Danone's local dairy business under temporary state management in July 2023; Danone deconsolidates it and agrees in 2023-2024 to sell it, while also selling U.S. organic dairy brands Horizon Organic and Wallaby to Platinum Equity.
2023Post Holdings
Pet Food Brands Acquired
Post bought Rachael Ray Nutrish, 9Lives, Kibbles 'n Bits and other pet food brands from J.M. Smucker in 2023 for about $1.2 billion.
2024Danone
Renew Danone delivers volume-led growth
Danone reports FY2024 sales of ~$30.9B (EUR27.376B), up 4.3% like-for-like, with recurring operating margin of 13.0% and free cash flow of ~$3.39B (EUR3.0B).
2025Danone
FY2025 Quality Growth and Global B Corp Certification
Danone reports FY2025 sales of ~$30.8B (EUR27.283B), 4.5% like-for-like growth, recurring operating margin of 13.4%, and worldwide B Corp certification.
2025Post Holdings
8th Avenue Acquired
Post acquired the remaining interest in 8th Avenue Food & Provisions.
2026Danone
H1 2026 results and Huel acquisition
Danone reports H1 2026 sales of ~$15.7B (EUR13.936B) (+3.5% like-for-like) and a 13.3% recurring margin, and completes the acquisition of UK functional nutrition brand Huel in September 2026.
2026Post Holdings
CEO Transition
Nicolas Catoggio became President and CEO on October 1, 2026.
Acquisitions
Danone
- Huel2026Undisclosed
- Kate Farms2025Undisclosed
- WhiteWave Foods Company2017$12.5B
- Royal Numico N.V.2007$12.3B
Post Holdings
- 8th Avenue Food & Provisions2025Undisclosed
- Pet Food Portfolio (J.M. Smucker)2023$1.2B
- Bob Evans Farms2018$1.5B
- Weetabix2017Undisclosed
- MOM Brands (Malt-O-Meal)2015$1.1B
- Michael Foods2014$2.5B
Questions about Danone vs Post Holdings
Who is the CEO of Danone S.A. and Post Holdings, Inc.?
Danone S.A. is led by Antoine de Saint-Affrique and Post Holdings, Inc. is led by Nicolas Catoggio. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Danone S.A. founded vs Post Holdings, Inc.?
Danone S.A. was founded in 1919 — 93 years before Post Holdings, Inc., which was founded in 2012. Danone S.A.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Post Holdings, Inc..
How many employees does Danone S.A. have compared to Post Holdings, Inc.?
Danone S.A. employs approximately 90,000 people, while Post Holdings, Inc. employs approximately 13,180. Danone S.A. has the larger workforce at 90,000 employees, compared to Post Holdings, Inc.'s 13,180. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Danone S.A. and Post Holdings, Inc. headquartered?
Danone S.A. is headquartered in France and Post Holdings, Inc. is headquartered in United States. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Danone S.A. and Post Holdings, Inc.?
Danone S.A. was founded by Isaac Carasso. Post Holdings, Inc. was founded by William P. Stiritz.
Which company has a longer operating history — Danone S.A. or Post Holdings, Inc.?
Danone S.A. has been operating for approximately 107 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Post Holdings, Inc. has been in operation for around 14 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Danone vs Post Holdings overview