Conservas Centauro

1. ConservasCentauro ConservasCentauro is in the processed fruit industry ConservasCentauro sells many kinds of fruits and vegetables. They also sell a few prepared meals like pork and beans. Centauro is an international company, and sells its products to many places around the world.

2. Some of ConservasCentauro’s competitors are AgroFoods Central Valley Chile , Nestlé Chile, ComercialFruticola, Copefrut , and Alimentos y Frutos. An advantage for ConservasCentauro is that the company owns a can supplier, and also some of the farms where the company’s fruit is grown.

3. Processed Fruit industry in Chile Chile is a leading country in the production of fruits and vegetables. Chile exports over 200 thousand tons of 50 different kinds of fruits and vegetables every year. Sales of Chilean fruits and vegetables was over 1,200 million dollars, and the U.S. imported more than 140 million dollars of fruits and vegetables from Chile in 2006. Chile is know as one of the top exporters of tomato paste.

4. Company History • Founded in 1908 in Quillota, a small town approx. 120km north of Santiago • Towards end of WWII, focused on canning of legumes, peas, corn and green beans • In the 1950’s, began to manufacture its own containers and became more self-sufficient • Also expanded product list • Peaches, apricots, strawberries, fruit cocktails, jams, whole peeled tomatoes

5. Company History • In 1985, shipped first exports to Japanese market • In 1987, entered North American market with a line of canned tomatoes • Today, they export to many countries including Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, and the United States

6. National Environment • High success in the canned fruit and vegetable industry in Chile • Industry’s regional leader • Strong investment • Skilled labor • State-of-the-art food processing technology

7. Global Environment • World leader • One of the safest and most reliable suppliers to international markets • Country mainly exports products

8. What gets canned? • Boiled • Acidic Fruits • pH under 4.6 • Pressure Canned • Meats • Dairy • Poultry • Lowly Acidic Fruits • pH above 4.6

9. The Canning Process • Double seamed cans • Airtight • Reduces contamination • Hollow cylinder of tin • Ends are cut to produce flared edges • Bottom lid is pressed in place • Food is input • Top lid is placed and sealed • Edges bent inward • Heat sealed

10. Machinery • Can Maker • Production Line • Food Packaging • Sealer

11. Raw Materials and Final Product • Inputs • Fruits, Vegetables, and Tin • Fruits and vegetables grown on site • Aluminum produced in Chile and South America • Final Products • Important Chilean exports • Exported through Pacific Ocean

12. Safety and Skill Level • Microbacterial Infections • Sanitary facilities • Airtight seals • Machinery • Worker skill level • None

13. Engineering Relations • Mechanical • Machinery • Industrial • Production Line • Chemical • Food Processes

14. Questions to Ask ConservasCentauro • How is the firm affected by the government and the politics of the country? • Has the recent economic downturn in the US and other countries affected the firm’s exports? • What type of advances technologically has the firm made in order to better their business?

15. Students Professionals • Why isn’t ConservasCentauro a part of the Asociación de Empresas de Alimentos de Chile(ChileanFoodIndustryAssociation)? • Do you see any disadvantages to not being a part of the Asociación de Empresas de Alimentos de Chile? • What is the first company that comes to mind when you think of fruits and vegetables?

16. Questions on Engineering • What are the input costs of the machinery used? • Do you produce the cans on site, or purchase them elsewhere? • What is the sterilization process you use?

17. Works Cited • http://www.chilenaturally.com • http://www.chilealimentos.com • http://www.conservas-centauro.cl/