Fruit Today magazine interviewed Enrique Clavel, founder and General Manager of Iberiana Frucht, on the company’s 30th anniversary.
Iberiana Frucht reached a volume of around 270 million kilos of fruit and vegetables.
How do you feel after three decades at the head of the company?
I feel incredibly proud and thrilled to have reached this point. It is not only a personal achievement, but the result of three decades of hard work, dedication and, above all, an extraordinary team that has been beside me every step of the way. Seeing how Iberiana Frucht has grown and evolved over the years is something that fills me with gratitude and satisfaction.
What was the start of Iberiana Frucht like? What challenges did you face, and how did you manage to overcome them?
The beginning, as occurs in many companies, was not easy. We started out with limited resources and a small team, but with great determination and a clear vision: to offer high-quality produce and build up solid, trustworthy relations with our associate clients. There were difficult times, above all in the first years, when we faced the uncertainty of the market and the need to differentiate ourselves in a highly competitive sector. However, these challenges gave us our greatest opportunities. We learnt to be resilient, to adapt ourselves quickly and to innovate to keep ourselves ahead of the game.
What has been the most gratifying element in these three decades at the head of the company?
Without any doubt, it has been seeing how the company has grown, becoming a benchmark in the sector, without ever losing sight of our fundamental values. We have gone from being a small firm to becoming a key player on the market, and we have done this without giving up either quality or integrity. It is also highly satisfactory knowing that we have created jobs, contributed to the economic development in our community and the most important, that our produce has reached the tables of so many families, bringing quality and freshness.
In your opinion, which were the keys to this incredibly positive evolution?
I think, without any doubt, that it has been the trust and loyalty of the group members, suppliers, transporters and employers. From the very beginning, we put great emphasis on building solid, transparent relations. We understand that, in our sector, trust means everything. Our capacity for innovation and adaptation has also been essential. The world changes very fast and we have to know how to evolve with it, whether by adopting new technologies, optimising our operations, or by responding to the every-changing needs of our associate clients.
What is your view for the future of Iberiana Frucht?
I see the company’s future with optimism and ambition. Although we have achieved a great deal, I am convinced that the best is yet to come. We want to continue expanding, not only in market terms, but also in our capacities and in the variety of products that we offer.
In fact, in October 2023, we opened a new office in Bari, which now employs around 15 people. In general, we will continue investing in innovation and sustainability, which are essential for our long-term growth. We will also keep strengthening relations with the group members, because they are the foundations on which our success is based.
What message would you like to send to those who have formed part of this 30-year journey?
I would like to express my deepest gratitude. None of this would have been possible without the support and trust of our associate clients, suppliers, employees and associates. Thank you for being part of this story, for believing in us and for accompanying us each step of the way.
Above all, I would also like to express my most profound thanks to our parent company, Markant, for their support and backing when making decisions, without which this project would not have been possible.
This 30th anniversary is not only a celebration of the company, but of all the people who have contributed to our success. We will continue to move forward with the same passion and determination to build an even brighter future together.
