On September 22, a Solemn Session was held in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Ceará (Alece) to celebrate the 70th anniversary of M. Dias Branco and its first brand, Fortaleza, created in 1953. The initiative came from State Deputies Firmo Camurça and Queiroz Filho. Alece’s president, Evandro Leitão (PDT), opened the ceremony by referring to the company’s history, which “began as a small bakery and today is the largest pasta and crackers and cookies manufacturer in Brazil and one of the largest in the world, with 17 industrial complexes, 30 distribution centers, exporting to more than 40 countries and employing more than 17 thousand employees”, he stated.
The Board was made up of the President of the Industries of the State of Ceará (FIEC), Ricardo Cavalcante; the President of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Ceará, State Deputy Evandro Leitão, the President of the Industry, Economic Development and Trade Commission, State Deputy Firmo Camurça; the Financial Vice-President of M. Dias Branco, Graça Dias Branco da Escócia; the Vice President of Management, Development and Sustainability, Regina Dias Branco and the Secretary of Economic Development of the State of Ceará (SDE) Salmito Filho, who represented the Governor of the State, Elmano de Freitas. M. Dias Branco’s vice-presidents were also present at the session: Daniel Mota Gutiérrez and Gustavo Theodózio, as well as Officer Andréa Nogueira and some managers. The ceremony also featured a special performance by M. Dias Branco Choir, made up entirely of Company employees.
FIEC President, Ricardo Cavalcante, highlighted in his speech that M. Dias Branco is a role model company, recalling the trajectory of its founders, Manuel Dias Banco and Ivens Dias Branco, and praising the continuity being given by their successors to the legacy entrusted to them. “A small artisanal bakery that became one of the largest business groups in Brazil”, he emphasized. Referring to the Social Responsibility actions adopted by the Company, he also pointed out that: “M. Dias Branco has invested heavily in reducing the environmental impacts caused by its operations, and in the efficient use of natural resources in all its units”.
In her speech, Graça Dias Branco recalled the story of her grandfather, the Portuguese Manuel Dias Branco, “a visionary man with an entrepreneurial and trailblazing spirit”, as well as her father, Ivens Dias Branco, and his “immeasurable contribution to the Company’s development”. Graça also spoke about the Company’s most recent achievements, expansion through acquisitions, the IPO and the business internationalization.
During the ceremony, four M. Dias Branco employees were also honored for their time at the company: Research & Development analyst, Janaina da Silva Gomes (10 years); Quality Control assistant, Francineide de Sousa Pantaleão (20 years); commercial analyst Mário Augusto Brito (30 years); operating machine operator, Francisco Gilberto da Silva (40 years). In recognition of the social projects supported by M. Dias Branco, Ivens Dias Branco Social Gastronomy School was also honored, represented by its superintendent, Selene Penaforte. From the hands of the President of the Legislative Chamber, Evandro Leitão, vice-presidents Graça and Regina Dias Branco, received the certificate honoring the 70th anniversary of the company and the Fortaleza brand.
