Lorenzo Servitje
Lorenzo Servitje Sendra (Spanish pronunciation: [loɾenso seɾbid͡ʒe sendɾa]), (November 20, 1918 – February 3, 2017) was a Mexican accountant, businessman, and philanthropist, who co-founded Grupo Bimbo, the world's largest bakery company, in 1945 with four partners, Jaime Jorba, Jaime Sendra, Alfonso Velasco and José T. Mata.
Lorenzo Servitje | |
|---|---|
| Born | Lorenzo Servitje Sendra November 20, 1918 Mexico City, Mexico |
| Died | February 3, 2017 Mexico City, Mexico |
| Nationality | Mexican |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Co-founder, Grupo Bimbo |
| Spouse(s) | Carmen Montull Valles |
| Children | 8, including Daniel Servitje |
Biography
Servitje was born in Mexico City on November 20, 1918. His father, Juan Servitje, a baker by profession, and his mother, Josefina Sendra, had immigrated to Mexico from Catalonia in Spain.[1][2] His granddaughter is the actress Marina de Tavira, who appeared in the film Roma.
Servitje is credited with expanding Bimbo from a small, Mexican baking company into a multinational conglomerate that has acquired more than 100 domestic and international brands, including Thomas', Entenmann's, Stroehmann, Oroweat and Freihofer's.[1][2] Servitje was Bimbo's president from 1945 to 1981, and remained chairman until 1994.[2]
He co-founded Bimbo in 1945 with ten delivery vans and thirty-eight employees.[1] By 2017, Bimbo owned 100 brands in 22 countries. The company reported $10.7 billion in sales in 2015.[1]
Death
Lorenzo Servitje died in Mexico City on February 3, 2017, at the age of 98.[1] He was predeceased by his wife, Carmen Montull Valles, who died in 2002, and survived by eight children, 24 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren.[1][2]
His son, Daniel Servitje, is now the chairman and CEO of Grupo Bimbo.[2][3]
Dignitaries in attendance at Servitje's funeral included Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, chairman of Grupo Carso Carlos Slim, and billionaire businessman Alberto Baillères.[3]
References
- "Mexican bakery king Lorenzo Servitje, who turned Bimbo Bread into international empire, dies at 98". Los Angeles Times. 2017-02-03. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
- Roberts, Sam (2017-02-06). "Lorenzo Servitje, a Founder of the World's Biggest Bakery, Dies at 98". New York Times. Retrieved 2017-02-27.
- Estevez, Dolia (2017-02-06). "Billionaire Carlos Slim And Mexico's Bread Giant Bimbo To Launch A Made-In-Mexico Electric Vehicle". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-02-27.