Catalonia, a key player in Transgourmet Ibérica's 100 years of growth

TarragonaSince its beginnings in Figueres in 1925 with the wholesale sale of food, Catalonia has played a leading role in the company's growth. A deep-rooted presence it maintains today, with more than 1,300 employees in the region.

One of the most significant milestones in Transgourmet Ibérica's history took place in 1970, when the first center was opened. cash and carry in Spain aimed at professionals. Under the name of Gros Mercat, it was located in Figueres, marking the beginning of a business model that is currently fully consolidated in Catalonia with 24 centers aimed at the hospitality and commerce sectors: Barcelona (13), Girona (6), Tarragona (4) and Lleida (1).

Past, present and future, because in Barcelona, specifically in Mercabarna, a new cash and carry, which will become the company's flagship. Currently under construction, it will have a completely modern and innovative format and will represent a qualitative leap forward in the service the company already offers its customers. cash They also operate as a proximity platform, offering an exclusive service for direct delivery to bars, restaurants, and cafes.

Also notable were the years 1985 and 2001, when the company opened the logistics platforms in Vilamalla (Alt Empordà) and Tortosa (Tarragona), respectively. Now, together with three other distribution centers spread across Spain, they constitute one of the most important networks in the country for supplying the hospitality and retail sectors.

Both platforms are of great strategic importance: Vilamalla, where the company has its Central Services, covers an area of 48,600 m² and guarantees supply to all of Catalonia (except Tarragona), Andorra, Mallorca, and Menorca, while Tortosa, with a surface area of 25,000 m², supplies Albacete, the Region of Murcia, and the islands of Ibiza and Formentera.

In the retail sector, its other line of business, Transgourmet Ibérica is also celebrating the 25th anniversary of Suma, its franchised supermarket brand. The first store opened in May 2000 on Muntaner Street in Barcelona. Two years later, there were already more than 100 Suma stores in Catalonia.

The company currently has nearly 700 franchised supermarkets across 15 autonomous communities, under the Suma, Proxim, and Spar brands, the latter in the provinces of Barcelona and Girona. Catalonia is the region with the largest network of stores, totaling more than 350.

Recently, Transgourmet Ibérica has taken a further step in its distribution in local supermarkets by signing a strategic alliance with the Llobet distribution group, a benchmark in Central Catalonia. The goal is to grow in the regions of Bages, Berguedà, Solsonès, Lluçanès, Moianès, Anoia, and Vallès Occidental, where this family business has 39 supermarkets.

Transgourmet gathered in June at the Tarraco Arena in Tarragona More than 500 people, including local and regional institutional representatives, staff members, clients, and suppliers, who wanted to pay tribute to the company for its 100 years of history.

Lluís Labairu, General Manager of Transgourmet Ibérica, remembered in his speech all the people who have made it possible for Transgourmet Ibérica to celebrate a century of history, with a special mention to the employees, clients, and suppliers.

This is the second event that Transgourmet Ibérica has organized in Catalonia to mark its centenary, following the inaugural event that took place last March. at the Girona Fair, and which brought together more than 1,300 people. Following the celebrations in Malaga, Burgos, and Tarragona, the commemorative program will extend to other cities such as Las Palmas and Madrid, culminating in Barcelona with the final event in November.