Quaker, the name of oats
The history of Industrial Molinera is strongly linked to the consumption of oats in our country, by the hand of one of the most famous brands in the world, Quaker®, which emerged in 1877 and 90 years later arrived in Ecuador.
After World War II, which left fields abandoned, the world prioritized the supply of natural foods. This is how Don Luis Noboa Naranjo, an Ecuadorian businessman, had the vision of specializing in the production of basic items that guarantee food security and contribute to national development.
Wheat and oats are vital to achieve this and that is why, in 1961, he founded Industrial Molinera (IMCA) with a comprehensive business purpose. Not only did it import the product in bulk, but it also brought in its flagship brand, invested in an oat mill and began production under the license of Quaker Oats, now owned by the multinational Pepsico.
Quality, our priority
Industrial Molinera CA controls the entire process, from the purchase of grain oats, to the packaging of the products. “We guarantee the consumer quality and freshness with a technically trained staff who receives the grain in our private port at the foot of the Guayas River,” says Verónica Barreda, manager of this industry.
In addition to a port with an environmental license and BASC certification, it has the only two oat mills in Ecuador, which allows the grain to be processed 24 hours before being packaged and distributed for sale. And although in the beginning, foreign technicians were in charge of the operation, the current Production Deputy Manager, Ángel Abad, has been the first national technician for more than 30 years. Since its inception, the plant, being a Quaker Oats licensee, has passed strict auditing processes and implemented rigorous quality systems and for six years has been certified in Good Manufacturing Practices (BPM) and HACCP standards, says Jorge Bodero, chief Quality Control.
Food tradition
Originally, Industrial Molinera produced only flaked Quaker oatmeal used in the traditional home-made drink that over time appropriated the brand name. In 1998, the whole grain ground oats arrived, which by not transforming it into flour, preserves its nutritional essence and dietary fiber intact. Hence, it retains the characteristic color of the product and does not look white like flours. Two years later, the brand began its commitment to instantaneousness, creating flavored oats, fortified oats for children and oats with a mixture of cereals.
In this 2021, Quaker reaffirms its indisputable preponderance in Ecuador. “Industrial Molinera will achieve that the per capita consumption of oats in this country is among the most important in the region, and that in addition to contributing to the family diet, it is used as raw material for enterprises, a fit diet and even in the cosmetic industry ”, Says Janina Rizzo, Assistant Sales Manager.
But beyond its trajectory of success, Quaker – from the unconditional hand of Industrial Molinera – evolves as an authority in oats; and under the leadership of the lawyer Álvaro Noboa Pontón, it is preparing to renew its image, maintaining the original values that positioned it in the market.
Business file
- Year of creation: 1961
- Founder: Luis Noboa Naranjo
- Star product or service: Quaker Oats
- Certifications: Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HACCP. BASC certified private port
https://www.eluniverso.com/patrocinado/quaker-el-nombre-de-la-avena/