Reybanpac celebrates 45 years of healthily nourishing the world.

It was September 1977 when Segundo Wong Mayorga founded Rey Banano del Pacífico - Reybanpac. He was not new in the business, since he had been marketing the fruit associatively for years. But that year he had a vision: to export Ecuadorian bananas for the first time to countries behind the iron curtain and to diversify the Ecuadorian banana market. This is how Reybanpac began operations by establishing trade relations with China, Russia, the German Democratic Republic, among others.

Eladio Benítez, current Chief Audit Executive, has been part of the organization since its early years. He points out that Reybanpac's business strategy, in addition to having achieved a strong start for the company, was also an "important event for the country since it significantly increased the generation of foreign exchange."

Marianella Ubilla, president of the Ecuadorian Association of Banana Exporters (AEBE) states that: “Reybanpac today is the result of the dream and inspiration of its founder, Dr. Segundo Wong Mayorga. Well remembered in the banana industry for its beginnings in exports, the development of a recognized brand such as "Favorita" and the prestige achieved by a company with a great reputation. Achievements obtained with a lot of work, perseverance, discipline and respect towards its workers; whose legacy is being visible with the social programs that it maintains through the Wong Foundation, created in 1993, and with the continuity of the work that its second and new generations pursue today. As president of AEBE, I am proud that one of our founders and main partners is celebrating 45 years in the most important agricultural export activity for our national economy. Reybanpac represents the leading and pioneering company of Ecuadorian origin that has promoted the development of the production and export of bananas in our country; proving to be an exemplary company both in its business model and through its current leaders.”

For Vicente Wong Naranjo, CEO of Reybanpac, reaching 45 years in the banana industry is the result of "the hard and passionate work of a business family that has invested and trusted the country and its people for years."

The values of its founder have been the beat of Reybanpac's path. "My father's values are lived in the organization on a daily basis and can be seen in acts that reflect development, responsibility, excellence, efficiency and unity," says Vicente Wong.

In this regard, Gisella Wong, Executive Vice President, shares that the most important legacy that her father left her and that she instills in her children is faith. “My father was a man of deep faith in God, both his personal life and his business were offered to God. The resilience that faith brings us in complex moments is the energy to not give up and carry forward our ideals as an organization.”

Gisella Wong also highlights the value of persistence, which her father exemplified every day. It was with persistence and strategic vision that Segundo Wong built a solid and innovative company in its sector. Over time, other business units were added to what is today Favorita Fruit Company.

“Reybanpac's main milestones throughout these four and a half decades have been the development of market niches, vertical integration in the value chain, and moving forward in the logistics chain towards value markets; having sustainable development as the cross-cutting axis of our business model”, says Vicente Wong.

Eladio Benítez considers that the company's sustainability has been the result of "solid assets, orderly and structured growth, permanent compliance with regulatory aspects, fully honoring all commitments with the local and international financial system, as well as with all customers and suppliers. This is how a recognized prestige and reputation has been generated”. Benítez also highlights the management of the second generation when assuming the leadership of the company: “with their vision and organization they were able to ensure the continuity and strengthening of all business units.”

Carlos Loaiza, President of the Federation of Ecuadorian Chambers of Commerce joins in recognizing Reybanpac's trajectory: “Its work, commitment and trajectory, without a doubt, have been key to the development of the country since its foundation in 1977. Its efficiency, social and environmental responsibility stand out; fundamental values for the promotion of sustainable development. It is important to note that 19% of Ecuador's non-oil exports belong to the banana sector, with this, I want to emphasize the importance of the progress made in its management and their achievements, above all, in the generation of 7,800 direct jobs. As the National Federation of Ecuadorian Chambers of Commerce, we congratulate all Reybanpac employees and their leaders for the company's growth in these 45 years."

Rafael Simon, director of the cardboard manufacturing company Cartopel, mentions that the group has had an extraordinary business relationship with Reybanpac for nearly 20 years. “During this time we have witnessed a formidable and permanent evolution of their companies and we feel very proud to be their strategic partners on this successful path, where we have learned a lot from them; of its organization, its values, the quality of its work and its passion to grow. They are definitely a role model within the industry.”

Regarding Reybanpac's future, its CEO mentions that it is aimed at "growth in the markets in a competitive and sustainable manner, constantly innovating and adapting quickly to new realities." To this end, he is proud to have "a very focused, prepared, passionate and willing team to conquer the challenges that arise with discipline and perseverance."

Margarita Wong Cevallos, third generation, expresses feeling honored to be part of the present and future of Reybanpac: “It is gratifying to see how every day a great human team looks for new opportunities to continue growing and contributing to the economic development of the country. Always within a sustainable framework and with a great positive impact on society.”

Commitment to the community and social development.

The workers are the heart of Reybanpac, and so Segundo Wong felt. Vicente Wong recalls that the work team was his father priority. "He always told us: 'People must be paid well and they must be paid on time. Payroll is the first thing that must be paid. Don Segundo, as he was called, was a man close to his team, who was interested in them and their well-being. That was the example he set for us and it is the essence of our corporate culture. Like him, today we continue to work for the development of our people, we foster unity and drive them towards excellence.”

Reybanpac's plantations are located in the rural area of the Los Ríos province and are the main source of employment in the area. From the beginning, Segundo Wong identified with concern the need of the region and its population in terms of education and undertook social assistance actions for the community. Over the years, this aid was structured and transformed into permanent programs, for this, in 1993 the Wong Foundation was born.

“During its almost 30 years of existence, the Wong Foundation has benefited more than 70,000 children, adolescents and young people in the province of Los Ríos, in early childhood, education, health, entrepreneurship and employment programs; and continues to increase its positive influence on rural education”, remarks Ricardo Romero, director of the Foundation. “We get involved along with the communities in the generation of mechanisms that create opportunities and solutions to their needs. Likewise, the conservation of nature and its biodiversity is part of our commitment.”

Collaborative work with other organizations, including academia, is another way to contribute to the province's productive and social development. For this reason, Reybanpac values the relationship it has maintained for years with the State Technical University of Quevedo - UTEQ, as well as with other higher education institutions in Ecuador, with which it is a strategic ally for the future of youth and agribusiness.

In the words of Leonardo Matute, outreach director of UTEQ: "The presence of this great company has brought a resounding contribution to our students who have found the possibility of carrying out their job training and community service internships, allowing the transfer of knowledge, technologies and innovations through agreements that have been fulfilled according to the needs of the two institutions. Reybanpac has allowed us to articulate academic programs, lines of research, institutional policies for innovation and technology transfer; all thanks to its collaborative approach for the benefit of society.”

Reybanpac is a purpose-driven company, which understands that its sustainability is related to the sustainability of the territory where it operates. This is the reason for its permanent social investment and the development of shared value initiatives that transcend its business actions.

“We are proud of the path traveled in these first 45 years and we are excited about what is to come. We will continue to work responsibly and passionately for our people, Ecuador, and for the millions of families around the world that we healthily nourish with the best Ecuadorian bananas”, Vicente Wong.