Gruma SAB de CV (NYSE: GMK, BMV: Gruma) is the largest manufacturer of corn flour and
tortillas in the world[1]. Its brand names include Maseca, Mission (or Misión, in Mexico), and
Guerrero. Founded in 1949 as "Molinos Azteca, S.A.", the company is now based in Monterrey,
Mexico and has subsidiaries in the United States,
China[2], England, Central America,
and Venezuela. In the United States, Gruma is
headquartered in Irving, Texas
History
The first industrial production facility of corn flour in the world was opened in 1949 under the name "Molinos Azteca, S.A. de
C.V.", later shortened to "Grupo Maseca". Expansion quickly led to the government of Costa
Rica inviting the company to invest in that country, in 1973. From then on, a long tradition of investments outside of
Mexico was followed. In 1977, Grupo Maseca opened a subsidiary in California,
pioneering in the production of tortilla in the United States. It would be in Texas, in 1982, where Maseca would open the first production facility of nixtamalized corn flour in that country.
By 1990, the company had subsidiaries in North America and Central America, including the United
States, Honduras and Costa Rica. It was in this year when the company made its Initial Public Offering in the Mexican Stock Exchange as "GIMSA", or "Grupo Industrial Maseca".
Gruma consolidated itself as a holding company after acquiring 10% of Banorte in 1992. From
then on, a history of expansions would open subsidiaries around the world, including one in Coventry, England in 2000, and another one in Shanghai, China in 2006.
Subsidiaries
Apart from its 10% interest in Banorte, Gruma operates as a holding company for a number of
subsidiaries that produce, market, and distribute its various products around the world.
Gruma Corporation
Produces and commercializes corn flour and tortillas in the
United States, Europe, and China. In the United States, Gruma Corporation is headquartered in Irving, Texas.
Gruma Corporation in China is based in Shanghai, and made it the first tortilla producer in that country. It has a production capacity of 15 Thousand Tons of Wheat Tortillas, 7
Thousand Tons of Corn Tortillas and 6 Thousand Tons of Snacks. In Asia, the company also has distributors in Japan, South Korea, Singapore,
Hong Kong, Thailand, Philippines and Taiwan.
GIMSA
Short for "Grupo Industrial Maseca, S.A.", it is dedicated to the production, distribution, and marketing of corn flour in
Mexico. GIMSA has the largest production capacity, with a market share of about 70%. GIMSA has production facilities in 15
States, including Nayarit,
Sonora, Chihuahua, Veracruz,
Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, Jalisco, Yucatan, Nuevo León,
Baja California, Chiapas, Tamaulipas, Guanajuato, Michoacán, and
the State of Mexico
Molinera de México
It is the largest producer of wheat flour in Mexico, with a
capacity of one million tons. Gruma entered this market through joint ventures with
Archer-Daniels-Midland in 1996, and the further acquisition of other companies. Among its principal
brands are "Selecta", "Reposada", "Sello de Oro", and "Diluvio".
Prodisa
Produces, markets, and distributes tortillas through Gruma's most recognizable brand,
Misión.
Tecno Maíz
Designs, manufactures and markets machinery for the production of tortillas and other corn snacks. The machinery is sold under
the brands "Tortec" and "Batitec".
Gruma Centroamerica
With operations in Costa Rica, Honduras,
Guatemala and El Salvador, Gruma produces over 126,000
tons of corn flour a year, marketed under the brands "Maseca", "Masarica", and "Torti Masa". Gruma also markets tortillas under
the brand "Torti Rica", and other snacks with the brands "Tosty" and "Luisiana".
Gruma also produces palmito in 37,000 acres (150 km²) of fields in Costa Rica, to be
exported to France, Spain, Belgium, Canada and the United
States.
Molinos Nacionales (Monaca) and Derivados de Maíz Seleccionados (DEMASECA)
These two companies operate Gruma's interests in Venezuela, which make the company the
second largest producer of corn and wheat flour in that country.
Notes
External links
Coordinates:
25°39′17″N, 100°21′34″W
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