Corporación Multi Inversiones (CMI): Best Sustainability Community Impact Latin America 2019

As Corporación Multi Inversiones (CMI) celebrates its centennial anniversary, the multi-Latina company reflects upon its family-owned legacy. Founded by Juan Bautista Gutiérrez in 1920 with the opening of a small convenience store, CMI has evolved into a highly diversified conglomerate spanning three generations. Business is split between CMI Food — which includes flour mills, sausage manufacturing, and restaurants — and CMI Capital, which specialises in renewable energy, real estate, and financial services. More than 40,000 CMI professionals follow a corporate ethos of “REIR”. While the Spanish word reminds employees to laugh and enjoy work, the acronym calls for Responsibility, Excellence, Integrity, and Respect. CMI is established in 14 countries on three continents and takes a proactive approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR). The company believes that sustainable investments are impossible in failing communities, and so protects and uplifts the most vulnerable. For 30 years, the Juan Bautista Gutiérrez Foundation has served as the CSR arm of the group, providing funding for health and education projects. CMI puts its principles into action, as is evidenced by recent accomplishments. In 2019, the corporation invested $83m in retail and residential projects in Guatemala, transforming neglected rural areas into thriving social centres. Over the past two years, CMI investments and partnerships have resulted in two renewable energy complexes: the Renace hydroelectric facility in Guatemala and Bosphorus solar power plant in El Salvador. The CFI.co judging panel declares CMI as the worthy winner of the 2019 Best Sustainability Community Impact (Latin America) award.