The Asturian company is to inject 4 million euros into plants in the Principality to drive forward new packaging and the market launch of new drinks.
The Asturian company Valle, Ballina & Fernández, El Gaitero Group, founded in 1890 with headquarters based in the city of Villaviciosa, is one of the most important in Asturias. Its corporate activity centres on the production, sale and exportation of drinks, the most prominent being Asturian cider.
Including all the companies and business lines that constitute the corporate conglomerate, the group has a staff base of 200 employees.
The Asturian family company, with 125 years of history, is the largest cider producer in Spain, but it also creates other products. With the 2016 and 2017 investment of 4 million euros injected into the Gijon and Siero production plants, its market presence is set to forge ahead, not only in isotonic and energy drinks, juices, dairy, mineral water and apple beer to name but a few, but also in the development of diverse formats and packaging, such as canned cider.
The financial boost in the company’s plants will provide glass bottling lines for new products and packaging. El Gaitero is set to launch a new sales format for its cider, in 33 cubic centimetre cans. Moreover, it is envisaged that by Christmas 2016, its new product, apple beer, will already be in circulation.
In the second phase of the project, Valle, Ballina & Fernández intends to officially launch the consumption of mineral water bottled under its brand in the market. The first stage of this action has already been formalised with the acquisition of the Galea natural spring, located in Siero.
Apart from the different types of cider, the group also produces wines and other goods, including confectionary, nougat, and tinned Asturian specialities. It also produces drinks for large companies with national and international activity, such as flavoured water and energy and soft drinks.
The considerable investment that the company plans to embark upon over the next two years will give a fresh boost to Asturian financial sectors, once again demonstrating the desire of large companies to continue contributing to regional growth.
