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Gruma, S.A.B. DE C.V
Sociedad Anónima Bursátil de Capital Variable
Traded as BMV: GRUMA B
Industry Food Processing
Founded 1949; 76 years ago (1949) in Cerralvo, N.L., Mexico
Founder Roberto González Barrera
Headquarters ,
Mexico
Area served
  • Worldwide
Key people
Products
  • Corn Flour
  • Tortillas
  • Corn Chips
  • Flat Breads
Revenue
  • Decrease US$ 3,755 million (2014)
  • US$ 3,844 million (2013)
  • Increase US$ 322 million (2014)
  • US$ 248 million (2013)
Total assets
  • Decrease US$ 2,755 million (2014)
  • US$ 3,253 million (2013)
Number of employees
  • 17,845 (2014)
Subsidiaries
  • Gruma Corporation
  • GIMSA
  • Others

Gruma, also known as Gruma, S.A.B. de C.V., is a big Mexican company. It makes corn flour (called masa) and tortillas. Its main office is in San Pedro, near Monterrey, Mexico. Gruma is the largest company in the world that makes corn flour and tortillas.

Some of its well-known brands are Mission Foods (which is called Misión in Mexico), Maseca, and Guerrero. In 2014, Gruma made about $3.8 billion. It has more than 79 factories around the world. Most of these are in Mexico, the United States, and Europe. About 18,000 people work for Gruma. The company's shares are traded on the Mexican Stock Exchange.

The Story of Gruma: How It Grew

Starting with Corn Flour in Mexico

Gruma began in 1949. The first factory to make corn flour in a modern way opened then. It was called "Molinos Azteca, S.A. de C.V." Later, this name was shortened to "Grupo Maseca."

Expanding to Other Countries

The company grew quickly. In 1973, the government of Costa Rica asked Gruma to open a factory there. This started a long tradition of Gruma investing outside Mexico. In 1977, Grupo Maseca opened a branch in California, USA. This was a new step for making tortillas in the United States.

In 1982, Maseca opened its first factory in Texas. This factory made a special type of corn flour called nixtamalized corn flour.

Growth in the 1990s

By 1990, Gruma had branches in North and Central America. These included the United States, Honduras, and Costa Rica. In the same year, the company offered its shares to the public. This happened on the Mexican Stock Exchange. The company was then called "GIMSA," or "Grupo Industrial Maseca."

Gruma became a "holding company" in 1992. This means it owns parts of other companies. For example, it bought 10% of a bank called Banorte. After this, Gruma kept growing around the world. It opened a factory in Coventry, England in 2000. In 2006, it opened another one in Shanghai, China. In 2010, Gruma also expanded to Ukraine.

Gruma's Family of Companies

Gruma is a holding company. This means it owns and manages several other companies. These companies make, sell, and deliver Gruma's products all over the world.

Mission Foods: Flatbreads and Tortillas

Mission Foods is one of the world's biggest makers of flatbreads, tortillas, and corn flour products.

Gruma Corporation: Serving North America, Europe, and Asia

This part of Gruma makes and sells corn flour and tortillas. It operates in the United States, Europe, and China. In the United States, Gruma Corporation's main office is in Irving, Texas.

Gruma Corporation in China is based in Shanghai. It was the first company to make tortillas in China. It can make a lot of wheat tortillas, corn tortillas, and snacks. In Asia, Gruma also sells its products in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Philippines, and Taiwan.

GIMSA: Corn Flour in Mexico

GIMSA stands for "Grupo Industrial Maseca, S.A." This company focuses on making, selling, and delivering corn flour in Mexico. GIMSA makes the most corn flour in Mexico. It has about 70% of the market. GIMSA has factories in 15 different states in Mexico.

Molinera de México: Wheat Flour Leader

This company is the largest maker of wheat flour in Mexico. It can produce one million tons of flour. Gruma started in this market in 1996. It worked with another company and bought others. Some of its main brands are "Selecta," "Reposada," "Sello de Oro," and "Diluvio."

Prodisa: Tortillas for Everyone

Prodisa makes, sells, and delivers tortillas. It uses Gruma's most famous brand, Misión.

Tecno Maíz: Making the Machines

Tecno Maíz designs and builds machines. These machines are used to make tortillas and other corn snacks. The machines are sold under the names "Tortec" and "Batitec."

Gruma Centroamerica: Central American Operations

Gruma Centroamerica works in Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. It makes over 126,000 tons of corn flour each year. This flour is sold under brands like "Maseca," "Masarica," and "Torti Masa." Gruma also sells tortillas called "Torti Rica" and snacks like "Tosty" and "Luisiana."

Gruma also grows palmito in Costa Rica. This is a type of vegetable from palm trees. It is sent to countries like France, Spain, Belgium, Canada, and the United States.

Molinos Nacionales (Monaca) and Derivados de Maíz Seleccionados (DEMASECA): In Venezuela

These two companies handle Gruma's business in Venezuela. They make Gruma the second largest maker of corn and wheat flour in that country.

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