At the XXVII National Family Business Congress, held in Santander from October 21st to 22nd , business trajectories that represent the legacy and projection of family businesses in Spain were highlighted. One of the key moments for us was the Álvarez family’s presentation, where they shared their experiences and the evolution of their family business.
José Ramón Álvarez emphasized the importance of the family bond as a key differentiator: “The family structure is what makes us different, not only from companies but also from other families,” he remarked, highlighting the company’s core values: innovation, trust, commitment, and responsibility. He recapped the company’s history, referencing its origins in Torrelavega, and how their philosophy of being close to the customer has been essential for growth and expansion. Throughout his talk, he gave practical examples of the complex process of generational transition, one of the biggest challenges for a family business.
He compared this transition to current situations, such as the handover in U.S. politics, and also to the success of the Japanese 4×100 relay team at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics (2016). Despite not being the fastest, their innovative approach to passing the baton earned them a silver medal. “We don’t aim to be the biggest, but rather the best, or at least try to be,” he affirmed.
This mindset has guided the group’s international expansion, which made the leap to the United States in 2014. Pepe Álvarez, now President of SPR Packaging LLC, shared his own experience in the company, where he has faced significant challenges: “Failure was never part of my plan. We’ve gone through very tough times, but today we can proudly say that we have multiplied our annual revenue by five and our production capacity by four,” he explained with pride.
The final presentation was given by Ana Álvarez, Vice President of the Group and Head of Sustainability. She emphasized the importance of promoting sustainability with a global vision, stressing that sustainability is not just the responsibility of a single department, but is a transversal goal across the company.
In her presentation, she discussed the challenges facing the industry with new regulations on the use of plastic: “In 2018, plastic became the villain of the industry,” she recalled, explaining how they had to work hard to demonstrate that plastic, when well-managed, can be an ally. Thanks to a detailed analysis of the life cycle of plastic and its carbon footprint, they were able to dispel misconceptions and reaffirm their commitment to sustainability.
The Armando Alvarez Group has become a benchmark not only for its expansion and business success but also for its ability to adapt and the harmony that continues to drive its growth.
These presentations reaffirm the importance of family businesses as fundamental pillars for the modernization, progress, and prosperity of the Spanish economy, underscored by this edition’s motto: “We Are the Future.”
About the National Family Business Congress
The National Family Business Congress is an annual event that brings together entrepreneurs, institutional leaders, and experts from across the country, cementing itself as the most important business forum in Spain. This year, under the theme “We Are the Future,” more than 650 attendees discussed the crucial role of family businesses in the modernization, progress, and prosperity of the nation.
Organized by the Institute of Family Business (IEF) in collaboration with the Cantabrian Association of Family Businesses (ACEFAM), the XXVII edition was held in Santander from October 21 to 22 at the Palace of Exhibitions and Congresses, with sponsorship from Banco Santander and KPMG.
The Congress included lectures and roundtables addressing key topics such as generational transition, innovation, sustainability, and international expansion. The presentations were delivered by prominent business leaders, including those from the Armando Alvarez Group and the Cosentino Group, who shared their insights and experiences. The event also featured high-level institutional representatives and concluded with a closing speech by His Majesty the King of Spain, underscoring the importance of the Congress for the future of the Spanish economy.
