Grupo Bimbo

Grupo Bimbo: A Mexican recipe for feeding Chile 

Grupo Bimbo is a Mexican multinational company operating in 33 countries in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa, with annual revenue in excess of US$15 billion. The company has been in Chile since its 1995 acquisition of Ideal, the main brand under which it operates here.  

In addition to acquiring other Chilean brands (such as Nutra Bien in 2018), Grupo Bimbo has increased its infrastructure to optimize its production and distribution in Chile. In early 2021, the company announced that it would be investing US$54 million over the next two years to set up a new distribution center in the Quilicura district in Santiago (whose construction has already begun), and build a new plant in the Ñuble region. 

According to the company, the construction and operation of both projects will generate more than 300 jobs.  

The new distribution center will be operational in October 2021 and will supply 24 sales centers throughout Chile. It will also serve as a benchmark in sustainability and the use of clean energy by generating 100% of its electricity from renewable sources. It will do so by using 800 solar panels that will inject 300 kilowatt hours. 

Ideal General Manager Enrique Martínez Gómez said that Ideal “wants to contribute to the growth, reactivation and continuity of Chile’s logistics chain.” “We believe that Chile is the right country to continue to support our consumers, grocers, and small businesses, promoting healthy living and making a contribution through investment, employment, ethics, innovation and sustainability,” he added.