Gonzalo Chiriboga Chaves
President, Confiteca
Grupasa entered the Ecuadorean market in 1991. It was a time when Ecuador had a shortage of cardboard boxes and packages, and our company came to address that situation. Ever since then, Grupasa has been at the forefront of innovation in Ecuador and we have been the first in introducing many industrial practices and pioneering equipment in the country. For example, we have been pioneers in terms of printing and diversification of products, thanks to innovation—a key element in our business strategy. This is a very solid and competitive sector that requires all the players to keep up large production figures to generate interesting profits, as the margins are rather small. In this context, innovation is a key item in the industry, and every single company invests large amounts of money to push innovation and latest technology to the limit. Because of this, I think we will see companies doing what we currently do; trying to differentiate their activities from those of their competitors by building a brand. For example, we have long established our own R&D development that pushes innovation forward in all the areas possible: production, diversification, exports, and the rest.
Vinicio Troncoso
Vice-President of Corporate Affairs, CervecerÃÂa Nacional (CN)
The República de Cacao initiative began when we realized that in Europe the consumption of dark chocolate had been growing for at least 15 years. In the beginning, it is often hard to tell if consumption growth is a trend and the question is always, “how long it will last?“ However, we determined that sugarless chewing gum and dark chocolate were here to stay and that the segments would continue to grow. Up until 1930, Ecuador was one of the top exporters of cocoa, and I have a great-grandfather who was also an exporter. The success of the country was nearly ruined in the 1920s due to plant illnesses that destroyed the crops. Since then, cocoa has always been on our minds. My family recognized the potential when Ecuador’s cocoa was identified and appreciated among chocolate lovers and experts. The same happened in the segment of cheese and a variety of other products, which could be produced and exported at a good price. In the past, we exported cocoa beans and then bought them back as chocolate at a high price. In that respect, luxury chocolate was never a product for the Ecuadorean market. By 2008, we had taken our product to Germany, where the largest candy show in the world happens every year in Cologne. As a brand, República de Cacao made an unbelievable impact at the show.
Luis Jaramillo
General Manager, Luis Jaramillo
For CervecerÃÂa Nacional (CN), R&D does not only mean new products and bottle designs. Innovation begins with the selection of new and higher quality raw materials, improvements in the production chain, and market research. Over the last few years, we have expanded our product portfolio importantly and since 2005, we have invested over $400 million to achieve a world class manufacturing process, with new bottling lines, distribution centers, our carrier fleet and new product development. This investment has also enabled us to increase production and at the moment we are producing over 6 million units per year. We currently work at 90% capacity. It is important to stress the point that CN has identified the main trends and preferences of the market and carried out investments toward supplying the market and consumers with their desired products. In addition, our activities have had great impact on the national economy; for example, in 2012, we contributed over $247 million in taxes, both directly and indirectly, when in 2006 the figures stood at $125 million. In terms of employment, we have a direct staff body of 1,917 people, and provide a work for well over 22,330 people throughout the distribution chain.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
You may also be interested in...
ECUADOR - Energy & Mining
Gonzalo Uquillas Vallejo
Interview
General Manager, Electric Corporation of Ecuador (CELEC EP)
ECUADOR - Real Estate & Construction
Tommy Schwarzkopf
Interview
Founder, Principal, & CEO, Uribe Schwarzkopf
