Sharp smiles and a lot of willingness to talk on the part of workers in the Alisuper chain would be something difficult to see at a time when dozens of employees of this company, from a few years ago, joined. Since yesterday, Thursday, hundreds of people from the Algarve have regained hope for the future, with the announced reopening of nearly 60 of the group's stores, after nearly three years of uncertainty and the threat of insolvency.
Grupo Nogueira, owned by businessman José Nogueira, bought the Algarve supermarket chain, as well as all other Alicoop assets, and saved it from extinction. Today, the brand's first two stores are reopening to the public, with a new image and new philosophy, in Vale de Lobo and Quinta do Lago, in Almancil, Loulé.
This is followed by "two to four more stores" next week, according to the new owner of the chain, who explained that, despite being working intensively, there is much to be done, not least because the chain has a new image. The Nogueira Group took over 58 Alisuper stores, 26 of which belonged directly to the Alicoop group, and intends to reopen them all, including two in the Lisbon area.
The launching ceremony of the first Alisuper stores turned out to be an authentic party, influenced by the visible joy of the employees. The Government has also joined the initiative, with Economy Minister Álvaro Santos Pereira making a purposeful visit to Almancil, accompanied by two of its Secretaries of State.
And it wouldn't be for less. With the purchase of Alisuper, José Nogueira avoided the bankruptcy of the Algarve's largest business group and saved hundreds of jobs. In addition, it assumed a fifth of the group's debts and will invest around 26 million euros in the entire operation.
“When the stores are fully working, during the winter we will have around 370 workers. Then, in the summer, we'll add another 110 or 120», he revealed.
The businessman, originally from Lamego (Douro), who stood out in the fruit and vegetables business, at first, and sausages and meat, more recently, also showed that he was aware of the social problems associated with Alicoop's insolvency process, namely of affected workers.
In the stores that have now opened, employees who previously worked for Alisuper were reinstated, something that should happen whenever possible, in the other stores in the chain.
«The company was not obliged, in the insolvency plan, to stay with the workers. But I think it's logical that they stay, because they deserve it. They were the ones who stayed here for years, endured the difficulties and felt all these problems on their skin. It didn't make sense that I wouldn't look for them,” he explained.
Failure is not an option
The word failure does not seem to exist in José Nogueira's dictionary, who does not admit to failing in the recovery of the Alisuper chain, despite the situation of crisis and strong competition. «Wherever I go, I have to succeed. I don't want to fail and I take on the responsibilities that I'm given. And since I don't want to let anyone down, I have to double the work», said the businessman, in a conversation with journalists on the sidelines of the opening of the store in Vale de Lobo.
Affirmations that are supported by actions. «I took up the company Fumados Douro in 2001, which was going to close and leave 34 people unemployed. Today it has 115 employees», he said.
This meat and processed products company has been growing and is getting ready to take another leap, with the construction of a slaughterhouse “which will be considered one of the best in the country”, nearing completion. "Last year, we didn't feel the crisis, on the contrary, we earned 11 percent more than in 2010," he exemplified. The turnover of this Nogueira Group company in 2011 was over 16 million euros.
The new owner of Alisuper is not afraid of competition and believes that supermarkets in the vicinity even make more sense, at a time of difficulties. “There is room for everyone. And today, there's even a downside for large surfaces. People have to move and there is the price of fuel and Via do Infante pays», he summed up. “Quality is very important. That's what we're going to bet on».
Companies that come with Alisuper will still have to be evaluated
With the purchase of Alicoop, José Nogueira got more than he expected. "It was new for me to learn that I now owned 90 percent of the newspaper Barlavento and 30 percent of Fábrica do Inglês," he said, laughing.
«Honestly, I still don't know the outcome this will have. I think it will have to be one thing at a time. I haven't thought about this adventure yet,” he said.
Large groups can also have a family atmosphere
José Nogueira is the owner of an economic group, with interests in different areas and investment capacity, but he hasn't let the familiar environment in his companies fall away. And he even brought his grandson with him, to be present at the relaunch of the Alisuper chain. “This is a family business. What is here is for my children», he said.
The concept of family, in this case, is very broad, with employees entering the definition. “At the parent company, I deal with my employees as I deal with my family. An employee's son was raised in my office. Fifteen days after having the baby, he told me that he couldn't stand being at home and that he wanted to work. So I told her to bring him to my office and that's where he was raised», he said.
Comments