Argentina and the Future

Business groups in nineteenth and twentieth century Argentina

“…By the early 1980s, corporate rankings showed the inception and rise of domestic business groups, although, due to Argentina's economic instability, they also demonstrated the demise or decline of others. 56 These phenomena continued during the 1980s, when some groups were besieged by adverse macroeconomic conditions (for example, Celulosa) while others thrived and expanded (Arcor, Bridas, Pérez Companc, Pescarmona, Roggio, Bunge y Born, Alpargatas), favored by state policies, including private external debt nationalization and broadened regional promotion programs. 57 The most dynamic domestic business groups (Techint, Arcor, Pescarmona, Fate/Aluar) bolstered their competitive capabilities and turned to foreign markets with exports and direct investments.…”

“…For more technologically complex operations that strayed farther from its core capabilities, such as its ventures in the chemical industry, Bunge y Born built alliances with foreign firms like British-owned Imperial Chemical Industries and US-owned Dupont. 38 The group's industrial companies ranked among the largest players in their respective fields, remaining at the top until the late twentieth century, when the group eliminated them as part of a massive reorganization. During the interwar period, Bunge y Born also increased its operations in other South American countries, making new investments in Brazil (oils, textiles), Uruguay (oils, chemicals), and Peru (trade, financing, flour industry).…”