How did AJE close 2023?
Due to climate issues, we were able to maintain sustained consumption in Peru, despite the economic situation. We have grown at a double-digit rate, and this is due to our innovations.
How many launches have they had in the past year?
Part of AJE’s DNA is the speed of launches, in innovation we have not stopped. I do not have the exact number, but I can say that globally we launch more than 150 products per year, and the proportion is even in all countries.
And for this year, is the sales outlook auspicious?
There is talk of a moderate El Niño phenomenon, but it will be warm. Of course, on the one hand, there is more consumption, but on the other hand, there is more disruption of services that complicates the entire distribution chain and will affect not only Peru but other countries in the region.
What are their plans regarding new products?
In categories, consumers will tend to drink more water or even rehydrating drinks, and that is where we compete with Sporade. What we have to do is to enhance our capabilities. In view of this season, our bet is to ensure logistical capacity in all our plants and to be able to supply the demand, as in the case of water. We are making innovations such as the case of Cielo Alcalina, which we have launched.
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Regarding capacities, does it imply new investments?
El Niño has been announced for a long time and we have already made investments to expand our distribution centers and improve infrastructure, as well as our fleet, where we will continue to make investments, for example with electric or natural gas trucks, which are more environmentally friendly.
Will they invest in new plants?
Not at the moment. In Peru, we have plants in Chiclayo, Tarapoto, Pucallpa, and Lima. But we are investing in these facilities to have more production lines but focused on technology. For example, we are bringing in hot bottling lines and an aseptic line that will allow us to produce a variety of products and innovations. This will allow us to add new products towards the second semester.
Are they also making investments internationally?
We are investing in new lines and technological improvements in Cameroon, Nigeria, Egypt, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and even Venezuelawhere we continue to fight for the market.
Will they also promote the distribution area?
As you grow, you need to ensure the logistics network, and we are making investments in distribution centers, both new and automated, for example in Peru and Central America, in Colombia and Ecuador, as well as other countries.
Regarding international expansion, will they continue with franchises?
No. We had franchised Nigeria and Cameroon, and at the beginning of 2023, we decided to take control of those operations. We have invested capital to have the majority in those franchises to operate directly, and now the partner is the minority. We have made significant investments in Cameroon and Nigeria, and the scheme is changing to a ‘joint venture’. This gives us control over management and is giving us good results.
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Therefore, they will not continue with other franchises…
For now, it will not be a model that we will explore. What we will do is to operate with local investors who want to join us. For example, in Cambodia, we enter with the majority and whoever is interested enters as an investor partner.
And how is the food category progressing?
It is something that we started not long ago, there are not many SKUs that have been launched on the market, and according to behavior, we will see which other SKUs are added to the category. We are not going to make a big investment, it is not our big bet. It is going to depend on many aspects, such as consumption, categories, our logistics system; it is about seeking synergies.
Do they plan to make any adjustments to the selling prices?
What was resin or plastic in 2023 remained stable, but this year there will be an increase in the cost of sugar. However, what we are doing is trying to reformulate the sugar content in the SKUs, without losing the flavor. For now, we do not plan to make an adjustment to the final price.
What are their plans for Amayu?
We want to continue promoting the Amayu line with the aim of scaling the super fruit category.
And do they plan to enter a new category?
No, we want to continue expanding Amayu into other types of SKUs. Most of the innovations will be more in line with healthy and natural products.
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In resumen, AJE cerró el 2023 con un crecimiento a doble dígito gracias a sus innovaciones, a pesar de los desafíos climáticos y económicos. A pesar de las perspectivas auspiciosas de ventas, el fenómeno de El Niño plantea desafíos logísticos que deben ser superados. La empresa continuará invirtiendo en infraestructura, tecnología y líneas de producción para mantener su liderazgo en el mercado. En cuanto a la expansión internacional, AJE está enfocada en tomar el control directo de sus operaciones y realizar inversiones significativas en varios países. Con un enfoque en la línea saludable y natural de Amayu, la empresa busca seguir creciendo en la categoría de superfrutos. No se esperan grandes ajustes en los precios de venta, pero se planea reformular el contenido de azúcar en algunos productos. Además, la empresa continuará impulsando la línea Amayu, pero no tiene planes inmediatos de entrar en una nueva categoría.
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