BUSINESS SHOWCASE MB Foods: From Adversity to Success in Food Logistics By Hernando Ramírez-Santos B Foods, founded by Agustin Mendoza region, serving more than Ballesteros, is a story of resilience and 1,500 stores. success. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, 吀栀e growing demand for Latin American Mendoza Ballesteros Mendoza Ballesteros foods, even in states with smaller Hispanic populations, partly had to start over. After dedicating more derives from immigration. In addition, other cultures are Mthan ten years to a previous business, he integrating these products into their daily diets, facilitating a launched MB Foods in January 2021 in Elmhurst, Illinois, a cultural crossover that expands the market. suburb of Chicago. Starting a business during the pandemic presented unique THE DIFFERENCE IS IN THE SERVICE challenges. For this reason, Mendoza Ballesteros embraced MB Foods's focus on customer service sets it apart from other creativity as an essential tool, personally managing sales, distributors. Ensuring products arrive on time and maintaining delivery, and logistics. His motto, "necessity is the sister of clear communication when creativity," guided every step. problems arise has been 吀栀e supply chain su昀昀ered signi昀椀cant disruptions during instrumental in building the pandemic, causing shortages. However, MB Foods loyalty. 吀栀eir customers highly overcame these obstacles by constantly communicating with value this commitment to its customers, informing and o昀昀ering solutions. Maintaining service. trust and ensuring on-time deliveries was the key to their For grocery store owners, success. Mendoza Ballesteros advises looking for a distributor that AN EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE TEAM views them as a partner. 吀栀e MB Foods' rapid growth in just three years has been mainly due relationship should focus on to its excellent service and product quality. Recommendations from providing quality products and satis昀椀ed customers have played a crucial role in its expansion. services for the mutual growth Mendoza Ballesteros recognizes of both businesses. that having a committed and As for new plans, MB Foods e昀케cient work team has been the is looking to expand its capacity backbone of this success. with a new distribution Three years ago, MB Foods center. In addition, it expects started with just one employee to increase its sales, logistics, and now has more than 15, a and administration team group that loves the company to support this growth and for the treatment they receive as continue to provide excellent individuals. service. The MB Foods distribution 吀栀e MB Foods story is a testament to how resilience and center has the equipment to handle commitment to quality can turn challenges into opportunities refrigerated, dry, and extended for growth. 吀栀e company continues to evolve, staying true to its shelf-life products such as dairy, customer service and teamwork values. With a solid foundation meat, and probiotic beverages. and ambitious plans, MB Foods has a promising future in the Its location in downtown food industry.. Chicagoland allows it to serve more than 12 states in the Midwest 7744 JJUULLYY//AAUUGGUUSST 2T 200224 4 AABBAASSTOTO..CCOOMM