The Jealsa Rianxeira-America plant, located in Guatemala caught fire in September 2002 and was completely destroyed the day prior to its opening. Jealsa had destined 8,5 million Euros to its restoration (about 33% more, or two million euros than the initial investment).
The Spanish Insurance Company Mafre compensated one hundred percent of the wreckage and the new plant finally has began operating last September 29th 2003 (exactly one year behind schedule).
The factory is headed by a Galician, Odilo Romero, a graduate in Economics, who was recently relocated to Washington as negotiator; there he managed to close an important agreement with the North American authorities that will allow the factory to export canned product in the U.S., duty free.
The Guatemalan plant, located in the vicinity of Port Quetzal, occupies a surface of 20,000 meters in a parcel of 270.000. The factory produces tuna loins and canned tuna for destination U.S. market and counts on four vessels (two of Albacora and another two of Sant Yago).
In order to obtain fishing licenses for Guatemalan waters, this country’s local authorities demanded Jealsa to process the fish locally.
The initial work force of the plant is 200 employees, however Jealsa expects to reach 500 workers soon. Thanks to its investment volume, Rianxeira-America reached fifth position within the ranking of Spanish companies, which are established in Guatemala.
Jealsa had also projected to construct a tuna canning plant in Peru, however this project was abandoned.