We know you care about the environment, but sometimes it can be difficult to know what actions to take to make a positive contribution to our surroundings. That’s why today we’re going to give you some tips that you can implement in your workspace, whether at the office or at home, to make it more sustainable.

In addition, in recent years, the vast majority of companies have implemented plans to minimize our negative impact on the planet and the environment, while maximizing positive impacts. We, the people, also play a fundamental role in contributing to the overall well-being of the planet and future generations.

Do you accept our challenge to be sustainable in your workspace?

1. How is your water bottle?: use refillable bottles. You will reduce the volume of disposable plastic.
2. Set the “Power Saving Mode” on your PC or tablet: avoid leaving computers idle, as they consume unnecessary electricity. 
3. Print only what is necessary: reducing the use of paper promotes the preservation of forests. If you must print, use recycled paper.
4. Take the stairs: reduce the use of the elevator and save energy by taking the stairs
5. Create recycling areas: it is important to have different containers for all types of waste. You can add colorful labels to make it a fun practice.
6. Surround yourself with your favorite plant: plants regulate the environment, absorb the radiation emitted by electronic devices and improve motivation.
7. Adjust the temperature: adjusting the heating and air conditioning allows you to save, since each extra degree increases energy consumption.
8. Use sustainable materials: replace bulbs with LED lights, they are more durable and consume less energy. We recommend to take advantage of sunlight for natural lighting.
9. Use ‘eco-friendly’ packaging: we recommend carrying your breakfast in a tupper, avoiding the use of disposable packaging such as silver foil or plastic bags.
10. Avoid unnecessary travel: reduce your business travel. Choose virtual meetings, e-mails or phone calls to communicate.

The Group achieved net sales of €2,082.8 million during the first nine months, an increase of 6.9% in terms of CAGR 2021/2019, revealing the trust and interest of consumers in the differentiation of our brands and products.

After enduring an €83 million increase in costs, our EBITDA-A stands at €262.5 million, just 1.6% down on Q3 2020. Meanwhile, our Net Profit grew by 5.8% to €155.2 million, pushed up partly by the net gains on asset sales concluded during the period.

By business area, in the Rice Division, high cost increases in the areas of logistics, agricultural and auxiliary raw materials, energy, etc. continued to be the general trend during the quarter. The cost of transporting aromatic rice from Asia alone increased tenfold compared to the previous year. It is worth mentioning the double-digit growth in convenience products and, in this context, the start-up of the macro plant for rice-in-a-cup and other value-added products in La Rinconada is scheduled for the end of the year.

Regarding the Pasta Division, has also been affected by the high cost of ocean freight to the United States, a very important market for the Bertagni and Garofalo businesses, and the high raw materialsprices, owing to the sharp reduction in the North American harvest. From a business point of view, fresh pasta sales maintain their strong growth in Italy, France and Canada.

We have closed an extremely complicated quarter, owing to the relentless inflation of costs (estimated at €52 million for the Rice Division and €31 for the Pasta Division) with the satisfaction of having managed to weather the storm, thanks largely to our strong positions in raw materials, a consolidated portfolio of value-added products, diligent decision-making and the trust of consumers who, in spite of a rather unsettling economic environment, remain true to our brands.

Ebro forecasts a FY turnover of between €2,790 and €2,830 million in 2021, while EBITDA-A is expected to be between €347 and 352 million. These would be highly satisfactory results in the current inflation environment. Stripping out the extraordinary earnings posted in 2020 owing to the positive impact of the pandemic on our businesses, in terms of CAGR 2021-2019 forecasts point to a growth of over 10% in respect of the earnings obtained in 2019.

The Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the United Kingdom has distinguished our company the Annual Golden Award 2020 in recognition of Ebro’s outstanding achievements in the British market. This is an important award given annually to recognize the performance of Spanish companies in that country.

The award was collected at the Spanish Embassy in London by the Chairman, Antonio Hernández Callejas, who expressed his gratitude for the award and said he was very happy and proud of this distinction: “we have had very close personal and professional ties with the United Kingdom for over 30 years, where we have three British companies and six production plants that employ 470 people and generate a turnover of £280 million a year“.

The Chairman pointed out that “Ebro’s journey in the United Kingdom began in the late 1980s with the acquisition of the rice company Joseph Heap & Sons Ltd., the seed of other important investments that have enabled us to remain deeply immersed in the rice business and enjoy a significant presence in the industrial, food service and retail channels.  He ended his speech by emphasizing that “our intention is to continue to strengthen this presence and to promote the development of our brands Tilda in the retail channel and Kohinoor in the ethnic segment“.

The president of the Chamber of Commerce, Eduardo Barrachina, pointed out during his speech that the award wants to recognize the work and determination of a company fully committed to growth, sustainability, innovation and high quality. For Barrachina, the fascinating thing about Ebro Foods is that “it owns many brands around the world that belong to the sentimental universe of millions of people. EBRO food products live in millions of homes around the world“.

The event was also attended by the Spanish Ambassador to the United Kingdom, José Pascual Marco Martínez, in his first official act as Ambassador with the Chamber.

Every year, almost 1 billion tons of food are wasted worldwide. Do you want to know how you can help fight this problem? We explain it to you in this video.

Driven by the extraordinary performance of high value-added products, Group net turnover in the first half of the year reached €1,379.7 million. While the comparison with the first six months of 2020 continues to be distorted by last year’s compulsive buying, in CAGR 2021/2019 the turnover rose by 6.4%, showing the strength and leadership of our brands in this new competitive environment.

Net Profit is up 4.3% to €107 million, EBITDA-A was €177.2 million, down 6%, and the Ebitda-A margin increased by 10 basis points to 12.8%, in spite of the increased costs recorded in the first half of the year.

By business area, both the rice and pasta divisions have had to face high cost inflation in raw materials, logistics and energy, among others. In this complex environment, diversification in origins, the increase in working capital and the focus on convenience products, with double-digit growth, have been our main strengths to face this situation with solvency.

These results confirm the leadership of our brands and the success of our strategic focus on the premium, fresh and convenience businesses.

CVC Capital Partners VIII and the Ebro Group have entered into exclusive discussions for the acquisition by CVC Capital Partners VIII of Panzani® dry pasta, couscous, sauces and semolina business.

More specifically, the transaction would include: 1) the Panzani®, Ferrero®, Regia®, Zakia® and Le Renard® brands, and 2) all the operating assets (including plants and mills) related to these brands. The business perimeter contemplated in the transaction posted a turnover of €470 million in 2020 and employs 750 employees. It will remain headquartered in Lyon, France. The divestment would not have any social impact on the employees of the business.

The transaction remains subject to the French workers’ representatives information and consultation, customary regulatory approvals and the approval of General Shareholders Meeting of Ebro Foods, S.A. It is expected that the envisaged transaction would be completed before 31 December 2021.

The transaction has been valued at €550 million (the value of 100% of the business) and would comprise the sale of 100% of the share capital of Panzani S.A.S. Prior to the envisaged transaction, the fresh pasta and rice businesses, including leading brands Lustucru Selection® and Taureau Ailé®, would be carved-out and therefore remain within the Ebro Group.

This divestment is in line with Ebro’s strategic goals for the period 2019-2021 and would enable Ebro to further concentrate its resources with a view to strengthening and expanding its premium, fresh pasta and convenience businesses, in which it is a global leader.

Ebro India, with the support of the Ebro Foundation, has funded and actively participated in the setting up of an oxygen generating plant at the Kalpana Chawla Hospital (KCGMC) in Karnal (Haryana). This is yet another initiative to combat and alleviate the consequences of Covid-19, in line with our commitment to support the local communities in the areas where we operate.

Karnal, home to our Ebro India manufacturing plant, is one of the oldest districts in the state and the KCGMC is one of the largest hospitals in the area, with a capacity of 280 oxygen-assisted beds. The new oxygen plant will be able to serve 107 beds, significantly increasing medical infrastructure resources, and will provide vital support for years to come.

Blanca Hernandez, President of the Ebro Foundation stressed that “we felt the need to stay close to our team at Ebro India and help in this terrible health crisis, especially in an area where many of the people who work with us live. We also want to get the message out to the entire international community that we are very much looking out for you.”

And another piece of good news: Ebro India receives a new GPTW distinction.

In the last newsletter we informed you that our colleagues at Ebro India had been selected for yet another year as a Great Place To Work in the medium-sized company category. Well; to this we have to add a new recognition for them: they have also been distinguished as one of the three best companies in the food and beverage sector. Congratulations to the whole team!

Antonio Hernández Callejas, Chairman of Ebro Foods, gave a summary of the main milestones of the year at the General Shareholders’ Meeting, which this year was once again held telematically.

He dedicated a special tribute to the deceased employees and their families and to those who have suffered the devastating consequences of the pandemic. He stressed that in such a special and complicated year, the company has been able to respond with solvency and responsibility, supplying the markets at all times and reinforcing its commitment to society.

“In line with this commitment, an extraordinary budget of two million euros was approved for the Ebro Foundation, so that the institution could promote various actions to help mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic”.

The Chairman explained that this extraordinary endowment has been used to help the most needy groups in the health crisis: hospitals, old people’s homes, solidarity kitchens, hotel and restaurant owners, children at risk of educational exclusion, etc. And although most of these actions were carried out by the Foundation, alliances have also been established with various companies and institutions, which has served to multiply the results of social action and thus reach millions of people.

In his analysis of the year by divisions, the Chairman highlighted the increase in sales of Rice (+16.1%) and Pasta (+14.5%), which in both cases resulted in a significant increase in profit, despite increases in freight and raw material costs.

Antonio Hernández Callejas pointed out that the Ebro Foods share appreciated by 10.8% during the year, while the IBEX closed the same period with a fall of 16.6%; he also pointed out that the dividend yield per share was 13.25%.

The Chairman closed his speech by warning that 2021 will be a difficult year due to the various uncertainties, but that “we are prepared to face them and will continue to work on the necessary measures to improve our competitiveness, with an open mind to innovation, exploring new strategies that will lead Ebro to a profitable evolution in the sectors and businesses that may have more possibilities for the future“.

We show you in three minutes the highlights of the 2020 financial year.

In a very complex year, the Group has made a major effort to combat the effects of the pandemic and continue to advance its commitment to sustainability.