Meet Dieter Dedier, Plant Manager at Lantmannen Unibake Mouscron, the "croissant factory"
As a child, DIETER wanted to be a fighter jet pilot. A career he also started, but then changed direction and became Plant Manager for Lantmännen Unibake Mouscron, also known as the "croissant factory". He describes himself as a social and very driven guy who appreciates spending time with his family and friends. He is a volunteer firefighter in his spare time and currently exercise to complete a marathon in 2025.
Hi, who are you?
I’m a very social guy who finds joy in helping other people, whether it is my friends (or better mentioned as “Framily”), the school of my kids or helping people during interventions with the fire brigade.
What are you most proud of in your life?
My wife Sofie and our two kids, our daughter Fauve 9 years old and our son Ferre 5 years old. They are my support in everything I do. They often miss me due to work commitments, interventions, or training sessions. When I get paged, I need to leave home immediately, which isn’t easy for them. I am very grateful for their support.
Tell us about your career at Lantmännen.
During my career at previous companies, I’ve built and started new production lines. Coming from other sectors provides a different perspective on how production factories operate. Many technologies from other industries can be incorporated into the food industry.
Lantmannen crossed my path by coincidence. I met different people in Mouscron and had great conversations with them. At that time the factory of Londerzeel was just starting the concrete works for the new factory of the future. During one of the conversations the Operations Director and The Plant Manager of Mouscron at that time, was telling me about Lantmännen Unibake, the company values, and the culture with our employees. Everything just felt right, and I was ready to join Lantmännen Unibake.
My first seven years as Maintenance Manager was a great experience. I encountered many challenges, and we came up with many improvements that we were able to implement. The biggest challenge was to gain the knowledge of how we operate, how all the different processes work, and how we make or products.
When I was offered to take on the role as Site Manager I had to let go of my passion about technics and maintenance, which was not easy. My role changed completely to instead keep the overview of what is happening, and assuring we are going in the right direction to achieve our company strategy. My previous years as a Maintenance Manager is absolutely my biggest advantage. I just know every corner of the factory and exactly what we are capable of.
Describe your current role.
I’m currently leading the anchor plant for French pastry in Mouscron. Over the last eight years, I’ve seen the plant standardize and continuously improve. We’re breaking records year after year, and it’s exciting to be part of that. In my role, I focus on the long term: the direction we’re heading towards, what we’ll need in the future, and how we can improve and help develop our people. The biggest investment, no matter where, is in our people. They are the most valuable asset of our company.
What is your relationship with Lantmännen’s values - openness, holistic view, and drive?
I am very driven myself. At the beginning of my career at Lantmännen Unibake, I encountered the saying, 'If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.' This is absolutely true; everyone needs to be on the same boat or train, or you’ll never achieve common goals. Take your time to ensure that everyone is on board, and once they are, go full speed ahead. When you make a mistake, you don’t lose, you learn. I believe that is very much what openness, holistic view and drive is about.
What drives you to develop?
I always want to evolve. I see a bright future for the French pastry anchor plant. Our team is ready and eager for expansion. My future goal is to expand our plant in Mouscron.
What do you hope will be your next step within Lantmännen?
My top priority is to ensure that we can expand our plant, which I believe will bring new challenges. After that, I’m confident that new opportunities and challenges will arise within Lantmännen.
Your best advice for others who want to make a career at Lantmännen?
Live by the Lantmännen values and ensure you have a broad network within the company. There are many people willing to help you develop.
What's your best advice for someone who is newly hired at Lantmännen?
Understand how we work, especially since we are a big company, and don’t hesitate to ask questions, even critical ones. New people help our company review our processes, and just because we’ve always done something a certain way doesn’t mean it’s the best way. Dare to challenge!
Three words that describe Lantmännen?
Sustainable, growing, people focused.
Name and age: Dieter Dedier, 36 years old
Years at Lantmännen: since May 2016, 8 years
Previous roles: Master of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology (Automation) – Ghent University, Maintenance Manager – Espabel, port of Ghent, Maintenance Manager – Unilin, Wielsbeke and Maintenance Manager – Lantmannen Unibake Mouscron
Current role: Since 2023, Plant Manager – Lantmannen Unibake Mouscron, the "croissant factory"
Hobbies: Running (training towards a marathon in 2025), voluntary firefighter (since 2010), spending time with family and friends
As a child, I wanted to become: Fighter Jet Pilot. From the age of 16 I actually did glider flying at the army in the youth defense. When I turned 18, I joined the army to become a Fighter Jet pilot. However, after six months of training I quit because I realized I could not work for an employer who is telling you what to do without the important why.
Favorite product from Lantmännen's range: Our Pastridor Bestblends Hazelnut Croissant!