Finalist
Retail, Consumer Products and Hospitality
To Marcelo Young, the notion of simplicity embodies an entrepreneurial spirit that has compelled him to transcend global borders and also resize a dream of redefining an industry.
The founder, president and CEO of Transnational Foods Inc. set sail for the U.S. in March 2002 as an immigrant from Argentina, where he was in charge of managing growth in the Russian market for Molinos Rio de la Plata, Argentina’s largest branded food company.
The task of starting his own business proved more difficult than originally anticipated, but after six months of perseverance, the first container of imported olive oil made its way to Miami.
After demonstrating the ability to source quality products to its initial clientele, Transnational Foods developed its own branding under the name Pampa, a name also given to the fertile lowlands near Young’s hometown, Buenos Aires.
For the next few years, Young began to expand the company’s product line and operational capacity. Currently, Transnational Foods operates six distribution centers in the U.S. and sources products from both Latin America and Asia. The company’s primary product offerings include: vegetable oil, olive oil, peanut butter, olives and dry pasta. Through the development of high-quality product offerings, Young has continued to build relationships with retailers throughout the U.S. Those relationships have proven beneficial to the company’s future. It has been through patience and perseverance that Transnational Foods’ price and value propositions have ultimately taken root.
Its price and value propositions have been key drivers to the company’s success. Transnational has generated profit consistently year over year and yielded revenue growth of 43 percent during the three-year period from 2007 to 2009.
How to reach: Transnational Foods Inc., (800) 238-1954 or www.transnationalfoods.com
