Case Studies
Company Overview
Grupo Bimbo, founded in 1945 and headquartered in Mexico City, is the world's largest baking company with operations in over 33 countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The company runs more than 200 bakeries and 1,500 sales centers, employing approximately 150,000 people. Grupo Bimbo produces over 9,000 products across a portfolio of more than 100 brands, including household names like Bimbo, Marinela, Barcel, and Sara Lee. With one of the largest global distribution networks, spanning over 58,000 direct routes, it reaches more than 3 million retail points worldwide. The company is widely recognized for its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and ethical practices, with long-term goals such as achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Grupo Bimbo continues to lead the global bakery and snacks industry through a combination of scale, quality, and purpose-driven growth.
Grupo Bimbo
Market entry success with Athena Market Entry Advisors
The Challenge
Grupo Bimbo, the world's largest bakery company, entered India through acquisitions of Modern Foods (2016) and later Kitty Bread (2021). They needed support for due diligence and to build leadership for India operations to integrate local assets and accelerate growth.
Complex integration of acquired entities with different operational models. Building leadership team from scratch in a new market. Aligning local operations with global standards and best practices. Managing cultural and regulatory differences in the Indian market.
Our Contribution
Supported strategic due diligence for both acquisitions. Placed an Interim CFO to lead financial transition and reporting. Built the India leadership team, including Managing Director, and Heads of Sales, HR, Marketing, and Finance. Provided market insights on team structuring, compensation benchmarking, and local talent landscape.
Impact
Enabled smooth integration of acquired entities into Grupo Bimbo's global operations. Professionalized India leadership aligned with international best practices. Strengthened capabilities across commercial, financial, and operational functions. Established a scalable leadership foundation to support long-term business growth in India.
About Athena Market Entry Advisors
Your Trusted Partner
Athena Market Entry Advisors specializes in helping companies successfully enter and expand in India and the Middle East markets. With deep local expertise, regulatory knowledge, and on-ground networks, we provide comprehensive support for businesses looking to establish or expand their presence in these regions.
Our services include market entry strategy, talent discovery, compensation benchmarking, competitive intelligence, HR due diligence, and strategic consulting. We combine data-driven insights with local market knowledge to create customized strategies that minimize risk and maximize success.
With a proven track record of helping companies navigate complex market entry challenges, Athena is your trusted partner for market expansion in India and the Middle East.
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Extraordinary Together
Transform your market entry vision into reality. Let's discuss how we can help you succeed in India and the Middle East.
