The Vision enabling growth come true
A steady growth in its diversification of business divisions enables Grupo Empresarial Sonorense to become a force that has gone beyond borders
The history of Grupo Empresarial Sonorense (GEMSO) dates back almost 90 years, having been founded by the late Mr. José Ramón Fernández Suárez and his grand vision, years after immigrating to Mexico.
The company that gave rise to the group is a wheat mill, whose growth and development over the decades resulted in diversification into developing businesses in the agriculture industry, finance, automotive and real estate sectors.
Produced by Jassen Pintado
Translation by María Murgui
Creative Direction Omar Rodríguez
Interviewee
Jorge Alberto Raptis, CEO for GEMSO
- Jorge Alberto Raptis, CEO for GEMSO GEMSO then, now and always will be a group recognized for its solid values and business vocation that prioritizes the customer
For nearly a century of growth, GEMSO has stood out not only for its significant expansion but also for conducting its operations with high business ethics and the human quality of its personnel.
“GEMSO then, now and always will be a group recognized for its solid values and business vocation prioritizing the customer,” added Jorge Alberto Raptis, CEO of GEMSO.
EXPERIENCE IN THE SECTOR AND PREPARATION FOR SUCCESS
Jorge Alberto Raptis’ career has unfolded through various companies, with a focus on the fast-moving consumer goods industry. He gained experience in senior management and executive positions at companies such as Coca-Cola FEMSA, PepsiCo, Danone, and Grupo Lala, as well as in business management at ADO, a major passenger bus line in Mexico.
His academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from ITAM (Mexico Autonomous Technological Institute), followed by a master’s degree in the same discipline at ITESM (Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, also in Mexico), and an MBA at the University of Texas in Austin (United States).
Raptis focuses his leadership at
GEMSO on ensuring the sustainable growth of the group, leading efforts to transcend the regional and national markets and enter international markets through globally growing sectors.
“When I was asked to join this group, I saw a group with ethical, integral partners and a desire to grow,” commented the group’s CEO.
A BROAD PORTFOLIO CONQUERING MORE TERRITORIES
Beyond its name, GEMSO not only prevails in the northwest of Mexico, but also operates in the central, western and northeastern parts of the country. It is also present in the United States in Arizona, California and Nevada, and throughout the country through products marketed and distributed in some self-service chains.
This impressive geographic presence is driven through five business divisions:
• Molinos GEMSO, a company focused on producing the strongest brands of wheat flour in the Northwest of the country, giving identity to this traditional northern Mexican food.
• Autos GEMSO. This division has established strategic alliances with leading automotive brands such as Changan, Ford, Lincoln, Mazda and Peugeot, and is about to close representation agreements with other nationally relevant brands.
• Agroindustrias GEMSO is dedicated to high/medium technology greenhouse production and export of ‘cherry’/’grape’ tomatoes and berries for the most important chains in the United States under the Nature Sweet and Berry World brands.
• Financiera GEMSO, an entity in charge of providing financing for about 50,000 acres of different
We are a leading company with more than 80 years of experience in the market dedicated to the manufacture of paper bags and sacks. Now, we also work with laminated coils and polyethylene bags.
GEMSO has a diversified portfolio of products and services, allowing us to reach different audiences and satisfy different needs
- Jorge Alberto Raptis, CEO for GEMSO
• Desarrollos GEMSO. The group’s real estate firm focuses on projects to be developed in high-value areas for uses such as shopping malls, corporate buildings, and sports complexes.
BACKING AND EXTENSIVE SUPPORT FOR SUPPLIERS
The relationship that GEMSO maintains with its diverse list of suppliers is undoubtedly one of mutual support.
“GEMSO has a diversified portfolio of products and services, allowing us to reach different audiences and satisfy different needs,” added Raptis.
Through Financiera GEMSO, the company provides support and development to its suppliers in the countryside, offering a technological package enabling them to achieve better results out of their crops, along with providing first-hand support to its agricultural producers. In the face of global events that grains to the food and agriculture sector.
HUMAN
have affected wheat prices, GEMSO spared no effort in providing support to compensate for the losses incurred by many farmers, demonstrating solidarity with the countryside.
“We value long-term relationships with our business partners and seek to establish strong collaborations based on trust and mutual benefit,”
said the executive.
THE HUMAN FACTOR: AN EXCELLENT REPUTATION BUILT OVER DECADES
The three pillars defining the work culture at GEMSO are teamwork, respect and excellence. What sets GEMSO apart over decades
FACTOR
of successful business is that the group’s companies have been formed by honorable and respectable partners whose reputation in the community is recognized, generating trust among new hires and those aspiring to join any of GEMSO’s business units.
The group has set the goal of
becoming the best place to work, and one of its most significant efforts in that regard has been to bring in Ms. Sonia Elizalde (Director of Human Capital), who has extensive experience not only in managing the workforce but also in empowering them to achieve their full development.
We will not rest until we make this company one of the most respected worldwide
- Jorge Alberto Raptis, CEO for GEMSO
“We are convinced that we are moving in the right direction, and that can be seen in the opinions of our collaborators and the low levels of turnover we have,” said Raptis.
SUSTAINABILITY: DECISIONS FOR THE FUTURE ARE MADE TODAY
For GEMSO, sustainability goes beyond concepts announced and broadcast, but it involves concrete actions across all its business units. Efforts such as the elimination of PET plastic bottles, savings in energy efficiency, or the exclusively indispensable use of paper for printing are steps in favor of environmental conservation.
GEMSO maintains consistency between the development of new and profitable business with the ethical operation of each unit of the company, having a clear awareness that the future is formed from the best decisions that can be made today.
“The concept of sustainability must
go beyond a politically acceptable statement. It must come with a real commitment,” commented the director.
THE FUTURE: OVERCOMING EXPECTATIONS
Growth has been a constant in GEMSO’s development, with particular emphasis in recent years, considering that in 2022 the group doubled its profits in just one year. It is assured that 2023 will also show growth beyond what was forecasted in its final figures.
Growth not only in numbers but also in operations and business divisions ensures that GEMSO is capable of transcending beyond the areas where it currently operates.
“All paradigms must be left behind, and we will not rest until we make this company one of the most respected worldwide,” concluded Jorge Alberto Raptis, CEO for GEMSO.
FOUNDED: 1926 INDUSTRY: Alimentos / AgroIndustria / Automotriz / Finanzas / Construcción
CONTACT: contacto@gemso.com www.corporativogemso.com
