Vegetables & Fruits

‘Do it Well, Otherwise Don’t do it at All’ – That’s the Givrex Team’s Raison d’être

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The fertile green scene in the Nile Delta region of Egypt is where Alexandria-based Givrex Robert Mansour & Co. sources most of the vegetables and fruits it processes and freezes to export around the world and distribute among buyers throughout the domestic market. In business since 1978, the company supplies 10 varieties of artichokes ranging from bottoms and hearts to halves, dices and triangles. It also produces artichoke cream ingredients, as well as lentil and broccoli cream, to make soups.

131030-givrex 01The finest vegetables and fruits that Egypt has to offer were front and center at the Givrex stand during the Anuga fair in Germany.Among other items in the Givrex assortment of retail and foodservice packs displayed at Anuga were peeled and non-peeled fava beans, sweet potatoes, peppers, onions, broccoli, vine leaves, okra, molokhia, grilled eggplant, grilled skinless peppers, and falafel paste. As for fruits, its extensive offerings range from pomegranate and mangoes to guavas, strawberries, red figs and more.

When asked how business was faring, given the recent civil disturbances in Egypt, Eric Mansour, marketing and sales manager, assured FrozenFoodsBiz.com that the family-owned company’s factory is running without interruption and that all orders from customers have been met and will continue to be shipped without delay.

Indeed the company, founded by Eric’s father Robert G. Mansour 35 years ago, has weathered the sands of time well over the decades. Starting out in the frozen foods business as a fishery products purveyor back in the early 1960s, his successful enterprise was nationalized twice before roots were sunk in the vegetable field and the Givrex brand was established.

Proclaiming a raison d’être of “Do it well, otherwise don’t do it at all,” Mr. Mansour  helped pioneer Egypt’s frozen vegetable and fruit industry. Initially producing and supplying a limited range of mainly green beans, carrots, spinach and artichokes, today his company offers an A to Z line that ranges from apricot halves to Zaghloul variety dates.

While Mr. Mansour remains at the helm as president, day-to-day business activities are managed by the family’s second generation of executive talent. Robert’s daughter Monique serves as financial controller, while sons Patrick and Eric, respectively, are in charge of the production/operations and sales/marketing departments.