When Giraldo Food Group decided to expand fully into the retail channel, they knew doing more wasn’t enough—they had to do it better. Raquel Montalvo Rochas, Operations Director, explains how implementing Lean with the support of SGS PRODUCTIVITY helped them manage growth, professionalise their plant, and improve on-time delivery.
From tradition to retail: scaling up with new demands
Giraldo Food Group operates in the food industry with two clearly defined business lines: desalted cod production and ready-to-eat meals—many of them fish-based. Their products reach both the horeca channel and organised distribution, a dual model that reached a turning point in 2020.
Entering the retail market came with new levels of complexity: large production volumes, tighter delivery deadlines, and the need to maintain efficiency across all operations. To meet these demands, Giraldo set out to implement a productivity improvement system to gain control, responsiveness, and operational professionalism.
Backed from the top from day one
Unlike many organisations, Giraldo’s continuous improvement journey had one key advantage from the start: strong commitment from ownership. As Raquel Montalvo explains, it was company leadership that initiated the partnership with SGS PRODUCTIVITY, which made internal alignment much easier.
With middle management also on board, the next step was to bring that vision to the shop floor. While initial resistance was expected, the shift soon gained momentum. Work routines evolved, teams got involved, and improvement became part of the day-to-day. The transition was smoother than anticipated, and the new system gradually became embedded in the company culture.
KPIs, autonomy, and a new production line
Raquel highlights two key milestones in the process. The first was the systematic use of performance indicators—something entirely new to the company. Working with data daily brought a clear shift in how decisions were made and operations were assessed.
The second major leap was launching a new production line with double the previous capacity. This project, supported by SGS PRODUCTIVITY, enabled Giraldo to meet growing retail demand without compromising quality or delivery. In fact, one of the most notable achievements has been a significant improvement in on-time service—a critical factor for customers and for the brand’s reputation.
But the benefits went beyond the numbers. The team gained autonomy, clarity, and better structure. The plant now operates with less stress, more order, and a more professional approach.
A transformation that continues
Today, continuous improvement is part of Giraldo Food Group’s DNA. They’ve managed to meet new market demands without losing their essence—proving it’s possible to combine tradition with efficiency, volume with control, and growth with professionalism.
And they’ve done it with a practical, realistic approach—guided by a partner that understood their pace and context. As Raquel puts it, the difference was having support that was hands-on, grounded, and focused on real results.
Is your company growing and ready to take the next step toward a more efficient and professional operation?