Grupo Nacional de Chocolates

Infobox Company
company_name = Grupo Nacional de Chocolates
company_
vector_
company_type = Public
genre =
foundation = April 12, 1920
founder =
location_city = Medellín
location_country = flagicon|Colombia Colombia
location =
origins = Colombian
key_people = Carlos Enrique Piedrahita CEO
area_served = flagicon|ColombiaColombia
flagicon|Costa Rica Costa Rica
flagicon|PeruPeru
flagicon|Bolivia Bolivia
flagicon|EcuadorEcuador
flagicon|PanamaPanama
flagicon|SpainSpain
flagicon|United StatesUnited States
flagicon|MexicoMexico
flagicon|GuatemalaGuatemala
flagicon|El SalvadorEl Salvador
flagicon|Venezuela Venezuela
flagicon|Puerto Rico Puerto Rico
industry = Food processing
products = Coffee
Chocolate
Ice Cream
Pasta
Biscuit
Processed Meat
revenue =
operating_income = US $3,499 billion
net_income = US $1,414 billion
num_employees =
divisions =
subsid = Nacional de Chocolate
Zenu
Alimentos Carnicos
Noel
Colcafe
Tropical Coffee Company
Meals de Colombia
Pozuelo
Doria
Hermo
Blue Ribbon
Bernard
Comorrico
Dulces
Seta
owner = Grupo Empresarial Antioqueño
company_slogan = "Tus momentos, nuestra mejor inspiración"
homepage = [http://www.grupochocolates.com/ www.grupochocolates.com]
dissolved =
footnotes =

Grupo Nacional de Chocolates S.A. (English: Chocolates National Group) is a food processing conglomerate headquartered in Medellín, Colombia.

The group's principal activity is operating the food industry with focus on producing, distributing and selling chocolates; roasted and milled coffee; cereals; pasta; meat; food for human and animal consumption; sausages; candies; sugar; honey; and crackers. Other activities include the investment or application of resources or cash under whatever form authorized by law and the exploration of the metal-mechanic and packaging industry.

In 2004, the group began their international expansion, acquiring several companies in Central America and the Caribbean. As of 2008, the Grupo Nacional de Chocolates continue expanding and consolidating their presence in the region.

Company History

In 1912, Fábrica de Galletas y Confites (a company making biscuits and confectionery) was set up in Medellin, Colombia. In 1925, the company changed its name to Fábrica de Galletas Noel S.A. and again in 1999 to Compañía de Galletas Noel S.A. In 1920, a chocolate-processing company under the name of Compañía Nacional de Chocolates Cruz Roja was founded and later changed its name to Compañía Nacional de Chocolates, S.A. In 1933, this company acquired stake in the biscuit firm and thus paved the way for the subsequent creation of the food conglomerate.

In 1950, with the boom of the coffee industry, Compañía Colombiana de Café S.A.- Colcafé, was created and soon become an important Colombian export company.

In 1993, the confectionery company, Compañía Dulces de Colombia S.A. was set up. In 1995, the Organization’s trading companies were established abroad forming what is known today as the Corialsa network, first in Ecuador and second in Venezuela. The company also made its first investment abroad and expanded its meat-processing business with Industrias Alimenticias Hermo de Venezuela S.A. In 1999, the Organization spun off two of its companies, Noel and Zenú.

In 2003, the holding company Inversiones Nacional de Chocolates S.A. came into being, with important interests in chocolate and coffee businesses as well as the Organization’s food investment company Inveralimenticias (that has holdings in the meat, cookie and confectionery business). In 2004, the organization began expanding into Central America and the Caribbean through the purchase of Nestle’s cookie and chocolate plants in Costa Rica. In 2006, the Organization changed its name to Grupo Nacional de Chocolates S.A.

Business Strategy

Mission is to progressively create value, obtain an outstanding return on investment and surpass the cost of employed capital. The organization seeks to improve consumers’ quality of life and the progress of employees.