Interview with Federico Braun, interviewed by Andrea Lluch, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Contributors: Lluch, Andrea, interviewer; Harvard Business School
Publisher: Harvard Business School
Published: 2008
Place of publication: Boston, MA
Language: eng
Format: [electronic resource]
Number of pages: 38
Subjects: Interviews; Industrialists; Grocery trade; Meat industry and trade; Business; History; Economic conditions; Commerce; La Anónima (Firm)
Description: Mr. Braun describes La Anónima's course over four generations, from a small grocery store business into a major supermarket chain in Argentina, and its entrance into meat packing and distribution. He points to local knowledge, innovation and efficiency, especially in terms of information technology, as well as a passion for customer service, as the company's greatest assets and contributors to its growth. Mr. Braun believes La Anónima's success is also a result of a conservative profit distribution policy, with heavy reinvestment allowing its ability to ride out the volatility of the Argentine economy.
Notes: Interview translated into English. Transcript available in English and Spanish.

Title from PDF title page (viewed on September 18, 2014).

Interviewed in Spanish on 2008 February 6 in Buenos Aires by Dr. Andrea Lluch, HBS Research Associate, through the sponsorship of the Business History Initiative, Harvard Business School.

Interview with Federico Braun, interviewed by Andrea Lluch, Buenes Aires, Argentina, February 6, 2008, Creating Emerging Markets Oral History Collection, Baker Library Historical Collections, Harvard Business School.

System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Federico Braun is currently chairman of the board of the Sociedad Anónima Importadora y Exportadora de la Patagonia (SAIEP), the fourth largest retail company in the country, and the second biggest of Argentine origin. Often identified with its main brand, La Anónima supermarkets, SAIEP is an Argentine company principally engaged in operating supermarkets, minimarkets, and fast food stores, and in distributing retail products. Mr. Braun obtained a degree in industrial engineering at the Universidad de Buenos Aires in 1971 and served at SAIEP as Chief Coordinador (1978-1979), Manager and CEO (1979), and Vice President and Delegate Director (1979-1980) before being named chairman of the board in 1980. He is also the vice chairman of the Asociacion de Supermercados Unidos and Mayorista Net S.A., as well as a lifetime trustee of the Fundacion Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires. In addition, he serves as vice chairman of the board of directors of Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A.

Forms part of: Latin American oral history collection, 2006-2009.

Forms part of: Creating Emerging Markets oral history collection, 2006-