Interview with Horst Paulmann Kemna, interviewed by Andrea Lluch, Santiago, Chile
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: 18
Subjects: Interviews; Industrialists; Food industry and trade; Department stores; Retail trade; International business enterprises; Diversification in industry; Business; History; Economic conditions; Politics and government; Commerce; Cencosud S.A.
Description: Mr. Paulmann discusses the expansion of his Cencosud group throughout Latin America, particularly in Chile, Argentina, Colombia, and Brazil. He talks about the particularities of each country and how his businesses were affected by changes in government and economic crises in Chile and Argentina. Mr. Paulmann also states his belief in the importance of flexibility in creating a sustainable business model in Latin America, and the problems experienced by larger multinational corporations who try to expand into the supermarket sector.
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 May 29 in Santiago by Dr. Andrea Lluch, HBS Research Associate, through the sponsorship of the Business History Initiative, Harvard Business School.

Interview with Horst Paulmann Kemna, interviewed by Andrea Lluch, Santiago, Chile, May 29, 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.

Horst Paulmann Kemna is president and chairman of the board of Cencosud S.A., one of the largest retailers in Latin America, with holdings in supermarkets, home centers, department stores, shopping centers, real estate development, and financial services. He has received numerous awards and accolades for his business achievements. Recent honors include Chile's Diego Portales Award for Outstanding Businessman, the ICARE Award to the Best Businessman of the Year, the Fortuna Award for Businessman of the Year in the retail category, and the ASA Savaldor D'Anna Award to the Best Businessman of the Year. In 2004, Argentina's President Nestor Kirchner awarded him the "Orden de Mayo en su Grado de Comendador," one of the highest awards given to businessmen, for his outstanding achievements in Argentina. In 2006, the Chilean Senate voted to award Mr. Paulmann Chilean nationality in recognition of his valuable contributions to the Chilean economy.

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

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