Grupo Bimbo
Encyclopedia
Grupo Bimbo is the largest (in sales) Mexican food company and the largest bakery in the world with brands in Americas
, Europe
, and China
.
, Kraft Foods
and Nestlé
. The company became the world's largest bread manufacturing company in 2010 reporting $8.9 billion in sales, a steep increase from the $4.67 billion in sales in 2004. In Mexico and Latin America
, the company is the market share leader, selling over 7,000 products under more than 100 different brands.
Since 1980, Grupo Bimbo has been traded in the Mexican Stock Exchange
. It comprises six organizations and a corporate department that operates companies in the baking industry and in general, in the food industry. The company also makes the majority of the machinery used in its factories through its industrial development branch, as well as a large part of the plastic packaging they use on their products.
The name "Bimbo" has no specific meaning in Spanish; thus, the name has not caused significant uproar as it would in the United States, where the word "bimbo
" has a negative connotation. The official theory believes that the name Bimbo, coined in 1945 when the company was rebranded from its previous name, Super Pan S.A., is the mixing of the words "bingo" and "Bambi
". In addition, the innocent, childlike name went well with the brand image they wanted to build.
In Mexico as in some Latin American countries, it is common to refer to any bread brand as "pan bimbo" (bimbo bread) instead of the proper "pan de barra" (loaf of bread). The name "Bimbo" has almost become a synonym for bread. The brand is highly trusted for quality and taste. It has one of the most extensive distribution networks in Latin America, often making it products available even in the most remote places.
In 1964, Grupo Bimbo introduced sliced bread
in Spain. In 1978, the Mexican group sold all its shares and the Spanish firm operates independently The Portuguese and Spanish Bimbo were acquired by Sara Lee in 2001 Many still refer to the bread as "pan bimbo".
The corporate image, a small white teddy bear
, was inspired by a Christmas
card sent by the grandson of the company's founder to his grandmother during the early 1950s. The teddy bear in the picture was thought to be ideal as Bimbo's corporate image, and was, literally, stripped of its clothes and given a white apron and a chef's hat. To represent Grupo Bimbo, which also encompasses non-food related companies, a new more traditional and mainstream logo was developed. However, the white teddy bear remains the image the general public most relates to Bimbo as a brand.
, Freihofer's, Stroehmann, and Thomas'
, plus 22 factories and 4,000 delivery trucks.
On November 9, 2010, Sara Lee Corporation said that by selling its North American Fresh Bakery unit to Grupo Bimbo, it could grow in other areas. The $959 million deal gives Sara Lee the right to continue using the Sara Lee name on frozen desserts and meat products. Grupo Bimbo will use the Sara Lee name for fresh-baked products around the world except for Western Europe
, Australia
and New Zealand
. The deal also means Grupo Bimbo gets 41 plants and the regional brands Grandma Sycamore's, Heiner's and Rainbo. Adding to its Horsham, Pennsylvania
-based Bimbo Bakeries USA, Grupo Bimbo will significantly expand its coverage of the United States.
On October 10, 2011, Grupo Bimbo bought Sara Lee's operations in Spain and Portugal.
(First Division). Grupo Bimbo's logo can be seen on the front of the América
, Chivas de Guadalajara, and Monterrey
teams jerseys
. They are also the shirt sponsor for Saprissa of Costa Rica
and five-time Primera División champions A.D. Isidro Metapán
and the Panamanian soccer team San Francisco F.C.
that plays in Liga Panameña de Futbol. On January 11, 2011, Bimbo became the jersey sponsor for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer
.
Up to twenty different truck models have been used as Bimbo delivery trucks since the late 1930s. These include 1960s Ford vans, 1990s Chevrolet
, Renault
, Dodge
and Nissan. Mercedes Sprinter delivery vans are currently used. While Bimbo's vehicles were beige by the 1950s, Wonder, Marinela, Barcel and Bimbo trucks have been white since the 1960s, with Tía Rosa trucks remaining beige. Ricolino started using small leisure activity vehicles (Peugeot Partner
and Renault Kangoo
) coloured in royal blue. Twelve plastic 1:60 models of Bimbo trucks were released in 1998, ranging from the 1940s and 1950s beige panels from the 1990s electric van, and a special edition trailer
. These were available in delivery vans and special packages where available, containing the blank model and stickers for the proper decoration.
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
History
Grupo Bimbo was established in Mexico in 1945 by Lorenzo Servitje, Jose T. Mata, Jaime Sendra, and Jaime Jorba. Today it is one of the most important baking companies in brand and trademark positioning, sales, and production volume around the world. The company is currently #4 among the largest food corporations in the world, just behind UnileverUnilever
Unilever is a British-Dutch multinational corporation that owns many of the world's consumer product brands in foods, beverages, cleaning agents and personal care products....
, Kraft Foods
Kraft Foods
Kraft Foods Inc. is an American confectionery, food and beverage conglomerate. It markets many brands in more than 170 countries. 12 of its brands annually earn more than $1 billion worldwide: Cadbury, Jacobs, Kraft, LU, Maxwell House, Milka, Nabisco, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Trident, Tang...
and Nestlé
Nestlé
Nestlé S.A. is the world's largest food and nutrition company. Founded and headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, Nestlé originated in a 1905 merger of the Anglo-Swiss Milk Company, established in 1867 by brothers George Page and Charles Page, and Farine Lactée Henri Nestlé, founded in 1866 by Henri...
. The company became the world's largest bread manufacturing company in 2010 reporting $8.9 billion in sales, a steep increase from the $4.67 billion in sales in 2004. In Mexico and Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
, the company is the market share leader, selling over 7,000 products under more than 100 different brands.
Since 1980, Grupo Bimbo has been traded in the Mexican Stock Exchange
Bolsa Mexicana de Valores
The Mexican Stock Exchange is Mexico's only stock exchange. It is situated on Paseo de la Reforma, a prestigious avenue in central Mexico City...
. It comprises six organizations and a corporate department that operates companies in the baking industry and in general, in the food industry. The company also makes the majority of the machinery used in its factories through its industrial development branch, as well as a large part of the plastic packaging they use on their products.
The name "Bimbo" has no specific meaning in Spanish; thus, the name has not caused significant uproar as it would in the United States, where the word "bimbo
Bimbo
Bimbo, in its popular English language usage, describes a woman who is physically attractive but is perceived to have a low intelligence or poor education. The term can also be used to describe a woman who acts in a sexually promiscuous manner...
" has a negative connotation. The official theory believes that the name Bimbo, coined in 1945 when the company was rebranded from its previous name, Super Pan S.A., is the mixing of the words "bingo" and "Bambi
Bambi
Bambi is a 1942 American animated film directed by David Hand , produced by Walt Disney and based on the book Bambi, A Life in the Woods by Austrian author Felix Salten...
". In addition, the innocent, childlike name went well with the brand image they wanted to build.
In Mexico as in some Latin American countries, it is common to refer to any bread brand as "pan bimbo" (bimbo bread) instead of the proper "pan de barra" (loaf of bread). The name "Bimbo" has almost become a synonym for bread. The brand is highly trusted for quality and taste. It has one of the most extensive distribution networks in Latin America, often making it products available even in the most remote places.
Sliced bread
Sliced bread is a loaf of bread which has been pre-sliced and packaged for convenience. It was first sold in 1928, advertised as "the greatest forward step in the baking industry since bread was wrapped." This led to the popular phrase, "the greatest thing since sliced bread".- History :Otto...
in Spain. In 1978, the Mexican group sold all its shares and the Spanish firm operates independently The Portuguese and Spanish Bimbo were acquired by Sara Lee in 2001 Many still refer to the bread as "pan bimbo".
The corporate image, a small white teddy bear
Teddy bear
The teddy bear is a stuffed toy bear. They are usually stuffed with soft, white cotton and have smooth and soft fur. It is an enduring form of a stuffed animal in many countries, often serving the purpose of entertaining children. In recent times, some teddy bears have become collector's items...
, was inspired by a Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
card sent by the grandson of the company's founder to his grandmother during the early 1950s. The teddy bear in the picture was thought to be ideal as Bimbo's corporate image, and was, literally, stripped of its clothes and given a white apron and a chef's hat. To represent Grupo Bimbo, which also encompasses non-food related companies, a new more traditional and mainstream logo was developed. However, the white teddy bear remains the image the general public most relates to Bimbo as a brand.
Expansion
On December 10, 2008, it was announced that Grupo Bimbo bought WFI (Weston Foods Inc.) a subsidiary of George Weston Ltd. for $2.38 billion, making Grupo Bimbo the largest bakery company in the USA and the only bakery in the USA with a national footprint. They now own brands such as Arnold, Boboli, Brownberry, Entenmann'sEntenmann's
Entenmann's is a company that manufactures and delivers sweet baked goods. The company offers dessert cakes, donuts, ultimates, cookies, loaf breads, pies, club packs, singles, cereal bars, little bites, Enten-mini’s products, as well as Danish, crumb cakes, and buns...
, Freihofer's, Stroehmann, and Thomas'
Thomas'
Thomas is a brand of English muffins and bagels in North America. It is owned by Bimbo Bakeries USA, which also owns Entenmann's, Boboli, Stroehmann, and Arnold bread companies. It advertises as having "nooks and crannies" in the muffins, making it less dense than competitive brands...
, plus 22 factories and 4,000 delivery trucks.
On November 9, 2010, Sara Lee Corporation said that by selling its North American Fresh Bakery unit to Grupo Bimbo, it could grow in other areas. The $959 million deal gives Sara Lee the right to continue using the Sara Lee name on frozen desserts and meat products. Grupo Bimbo will use the Sara Lee name for fresh-baked products around the world except for Western Europe
Western Europe
Western Europe is a loose term for the collection of countries in the western most region of the European continents, though this definition is context-dependent and carries cultural and political connotations. One definition describes Western Europe as a geographic entity—the region lying in the...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. The deal also means Grupo Bimbo gets 41 plants and the regional brands Grandma Sycamore's, Heiner's and Rainbo. Adding to its Horsham, Pennsylvania
Horsham, Pennsylvania
Horsham is a census-designated place in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 14,842 at the 2010 census. Horsham is located entirely within Horsham Township, and it is home to Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove.In 2007, Horsham was named the 15th best...
-based Bimbo Bakeries USA, Grupo Bimbo will significantly expand its coverage of the United States.
On October 10, 2011, Grupo Bimbo bought Sara Lee's operations in Spain and Portugal.
Sponsorship partners
Grupo Bimbo is shirt sponsor for three of Mexicos top-flight professional soccer league, Primera DivisionPrimera División de México
The Primera División Profesional , known simply as the Primera División, is the top level of the Mexican football league system and is administered by the Mexican Football Federation. It was established in 1943 and as of 2011 has 18 clubs. Up to June 2011, it was divided into three groups competing...
(First Division). Grupo Bimbo's logo can be seen on the front of the América
Club América
Club América is a Mexican Professional football club based in Mexico City. It competes in the Primera División, the top professional league in the country. The team's nickname is Las Águilas ....
, Chivas de Guadalajara, and Monterrey
Club de Fútbol Monterrey
The Club de Fútbol Monterrey is a Mexican football club from Monterrey, Nuevo León, and the current champion of the CONCACAF Champions League. Founded on June 28, 1945, it is the oldest active team in the professional division from the northern part of Mexico....
teams jerseys
Jersey (clothing)
A jersey is an item of knitted clothing, traditionally in wool or cotton, with sleeves, worn as a pullover, as it does not open at the front, unlike a cardigan. It is usually close-fitting and machine knitted in contrast to a guernsey that is more often hand knit with a thicker yarn...
. They are also the shirt sponsor for Saprissa of Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
and five-time Primera División champions A.D. Isidro Metapán
A.D. Isidro Metapán
Asociación Deportiva Isidro Metapán, also known simply as Isidro Metapán, is a Salvadoran football club based in Metapán, El Salvador. The club currently plays in the Primera División, which is the top tier football league in the country...
and the Panamanian soccer team San Francisco F.C.
San Francisco F.C.
San Francisco Fútbol Club is a professional football team located in La Chorrera, Panamá, that plays in Liga Panameña de Fútbol, the top Panamanian football league. The club plays its games in Estadio Agustín Sánchez. San Francisco have won 6 Liga Panameña de Fútbol championships, the second...
that plays in Liga Panameña de Futbol. On January 11, 2011, Bimbo became the jersey sponsor for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
.
Delivering trucks
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
, Renault
Renault
Renault S.A. is a French automaker producing cars, vans, and in the past, autorail vehicles, trucks, tractors, vans and also buses/coaches. Its alliance with Nissan makes it the world's third largest automaker...
, Dodge
Dodge
Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
and Nissan. Mercedes Sprinter delivery vans are currently used. While Bimbo's vehicles were beige by the 1950s, Wonder, Marinela, Barcel and Bimbo trucks have been white since the 1960s, with Tía Rosa trucks remaining beige. Ricolino started using small leisure activity vehicles (Peugeot Partner
Peugeot Partner
The Peugeot Partner is a van and leisure activity vehicle made by the French car manufacturer Peugeot. The van is named Partner and the leisure activity vehicle Partner Combi. In Italy it is known as the Peugeot Ranch....
and Renault Kangoo
Renault Kangoo
The Renault Kangoo and Kangoo Express are panel van and leisure activity vehicle produced by French automaker Renault since 1997. The Kangoo is manufactured in the MCA plant in Maubeuge, France, and in Santa Isabel, Argentina. The version for the ASEAN markets was assembled by the Tan Chong Euro...
) coloured in royal blue. Twelve plastic 1:60 models of Bimbo trucks were released in 1998, ranging from the 1940s and 1950s beige panels from the 1990s electric van, and a special edition trailer
Trailer (vehicle)
A trailer is generally an unpowered vehicle pulled by a powered vehicle. Commonly, the term trailer refers to such vehicles used for transport of goods and materials....
. These were available in delivery vans and special packages where available, containing the blank model and stickers for the proper decoration.
Main Brands
- Arnold is a brand of loaf bread primarily sold throughout the United States and Mexico.
- BarcelBarcelBarcel is a maker of tortilla, potato chips and other confectionery and snack foods. It is a unit of Grupo Bimbo created in 1950. A different company with the same name, but operating in Chile, was acquired by PepsiCo in 1998.-External links: * *...
is a Mexican brand producing potato chips and other confections, such as Duvalín, primarily sold throughout the United States and Mexico. - Bimbo breads and cakes are found in major United States cities with large Mexican and Mexican-American populations.
- Boboli is a producer of ready made pizza crusts.
- BranFruit brand cereal bars are sold only in Mexico.
- Brownberry is a brand for specialty breads.
- CenaCenaIn ancient Roman culture, cena was the main meal of the day. It was a focal point of social life, along with the public baths, the frequenting of which often preceded the meal...
is a ChileChileChile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
an budget bread brand. - Coronado cajetaCajetaCajeta is a Mexican confection of thickened syrup usually made of sweetened caramelised milk.According to chef Rick Bayless, the name for cajeta came from the Spanish phrase al punto de cajeta, which means a liquid thickened to the point at which a spoon drawn through the liquid reveals the bottom...
and goat-milk caramel have been produced since 1932. - El Globo is a Mexican fine pastry bakery founded in 1884 (bought in 2005 from Grupo CarsoGrupo CarsoGrupo Carso is a global conglomerate company owned by the Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim. It was formed in 1990 after the merger of Corporación Industrial Carso and Grupo Inbursa...
). - Entenmann'sEntenmann'sEntenmann's is a company that manufactures and delivers sweet baked goods. The company offers dessert cakes, donuts, ultimates, cookies, loaf breads, pies, club packs, singles, cereal bars, little bites, Enten-mini’s products, as well as Danish, crumb cakes, and buns...
pastry products are sold in the United States. - Francisco
- Freihofer's is a bread and pastry baker originally based in Troy, NY, United States.
- GansitoGansitoGansito , is a Mexican snack cake, similar to Twinkies, with the exception of strawberry jelly along with the creamy filling and that it is covered in chocolate with chocolate sprinkle topping. It was created in 1957 by Marinela . Gansito is one of the first three products to emerge from this brand...
is a snack cake similar to ChocodileChocodileChocodiles are a confection created by the Hostess Brands company. The package describes the snack cake as a "chocolate coated sponge cake with creamy filling." The Chocodile is Twinkie shaped, but unlike the Twinkie which is sold in packages of 2 or 3 cakes, the Chocodile is sold individually...
s - Ideal is Bimbo's Chilean bread brand; though the Bimbo name is not used, Ideal shares the same logo as Bimbo.
- Lara produces salted and sweet cookies.
- LonchiBon brand instant microwave foods are sold only in Mexico.
- Los Sorchantes brand for bread used in Uruguay
- Marinela is a producer of Mexican cookies founded around 1950. In ColombiaColombiaColombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
, the brand is known as Marisela. It also is sold throughout the United States. - Milpa Real produces corn and flour tortillas, as well as tostadas in different variations.
- Mrs. Baird's is a leading bakery primarily present in TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and surrounding states. - Old Country
- Oroweat loaf bread is primarily sold throughout the United States and Mexico.
- Plus Vita bread, cakes and cereal bars are produced and sold in BrazilBrazilBrazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and Mexico. - Pullman also produces bread and cakes in BrazilBrazilBrazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. - Ricolino makes confectionery, candy and chocolates, with plants in Mexico, Europe and the United States.
- Sara Lee
- Stroehmann's, with Oroweat above, is a producer of loaf bread in the United States.
- Suandy is a brand for of breads and pastries.
- Thomas'Thomas'Thomas is a brand of English muffins and bagels in North America. It is owned by Bimbo Bakeries USA, which also owns Entenmann's, Boboli, Stroehmann, and Arnold bread companies. It advertises as having "nooks and crannies" in the muffins, making it less dense than competitive brands...
produces and sells English muffins and bagels. - Tía Rosa markets home-style bread, pastries and tortillas.
- WonderWonder BreadWonder Bread is the name of three North American brands of white bread: One produced by George Weston Bakeries in Canada, another by Hostess Brands in the United States, and the third by Grupo Bimbo in Mexico.- United States :...
branded bread in Mexico only is owned by Bimbo.
External links
- Official Site
- About Bimbo at the corporations site.
- Company website in United States