Mexican entrepreneur Roberto Servitje passes away at the age of 97, leaving behind a legacy as the founder of Grupo Bimbo, which he established in 1945.
Grupo Bimbo, a multinational food company renowned for its baked goods, traces its roots back to 1945 in Mexico City. The company was born from the vision of its founders, who previously operated the El Molino bakery, with the aim of producing nutritious, tasty, and fresh bread for every Mexican household [3].
Among the initial founders of Grupo Bimbo were Roberto Servitje Sendra and his brother Lorenzo Servitje. Roberto, born in 1928, joined the company at the tender age of 17 as a sales supervisor. His contributions extended beyond sales, as he later created and managed the Vehicle Department, a crucial aspect of the company's early operations [1].
Roberto Servitje's role in the company's growth was significant. He led the opening of Bimbo Occidente in 1956, expanding the brand's presence in Guadalajara, León, and San Luis Potosí. By the end of his term as Subdirector, the Bimbo Organization had 13 factories [2]. In 1979, he was named General Director of Grupo Bimbo, a role he held until 1990 when he assumed the position of Executive President [3][4].
During his tenure, Grupo Bimbo expanded significantly, creating 24 operating companies and raising its total to 50. The company also installed the largest bakery plant in Latin America and one of the ten largest in the world in 1972 [2][3].
Sadly, Roberto Servitje passed away on Thursday at the age of 97. His death was announced shortly after Grupo Bimbo announced an investment of 2,000 million dollars in Mexico, to be developed from 2025 to 2028. This investment is part of President Claudia Sheinbaum's Mexico Plan [1].
Roberto Servitje's journey with Grupo Bimbo began in Montreal, Canada, where he studied humanities. He later graduated as an accountant from the Escuela Bancaria y Comercial in Mexico. After graduating from the course of development and management at the University of Harvard in 1969, he returned to the company and was appointed Subdirector, a position he held for nine years [1][4].
In 1994, Roberto Servitje was named President of the Board of Administration and held the role of President of the Group until 2013 [3]. His contributions to the growth and success of Grupo Bimbo will be remembered as the company continues to shape the world of baked goods.
Sources: [1] El Economista [2] Forbes México [3] Grupo Bimbo [4] Diario de Yucatán
The finance entrepreneurship of Roberto Servitje flourished within Grupo Bimbo, as he joined the company at a young age and quickly ascended to become the General Director and later the Executive President, leading the expansion of the company with 24 operating companies and a significant investment in Mexico. His business acumen and vision for the company's growth are still remembered as Grupo Bimbo continues to shape the baked goods industry.
