The company had two founders: Louis Bonduelle-Dalle (1802-1880) and Louis Lesaffre-Roussel (1802-1869). Both came from country families in the North of France.

Louis Bonduelle succeeded his father as a grower and manufacturer of oil. In 1853 both men decided to establish a grain and juniper distillery in Marquette-lez-Lille.

The expansion of the distillery made it possible for the partners to expand business.

On 17 June 1862 they acquired a farm in Renescure which was transformed into a grain alcohol distillery. The story began.

In 1901, a decisive event took place in the history of the company: the seven factories owned by the company were shared between the three family branches: Bonduelle, Lesaffre and Lemaître. From then on, the Bonduelle company carried on the family tradition.