Every single traveller has come across one of its nearly 700 trucks occasionally. Not only seen on Spanish highways but also around Europe. Its fleet provides services to flagship national and international companies. Grupo Fuentes has won their trust thanks to their personalized customer service and total commitment with delivery on time. A quarter of a century endorses the cooperation between Grupo Fuentes and GAMBÍN, of which Antonio Fuentes Fernández, our Operations and Logistics director speaks about with passion and emotion.

–What do Grupo Fuentes and GAMBÍN have in common?

We are similar companies in our structure, family businesses that started from scratch. As we developed our philosophy, based on our passion for quality and clear objectives, we prospered and became proud heirs of our history, acknowledging that there’s a long road ahead. The relationship between both companies has always stood out for being enriched with shared values: our understanding of work, the importance of mutual respect, constant improvement, discipline and high quality standards. Seeking excellence in processes and our passion for work, among other values, has led to our outstanding relationship.

–How were the beginnings of the relationship between both companies? 

It all started 25 years ago, we were hired in La Rioja region by Don José Gambin, Sr, to transport a batch of fruit from Alfaro to Cox. We have a branch in Castejón (Navarra) and we were already working with various companies from la Vega Baja. Even back then, due to word-of-mouth recommendations, we became famous for our good work and customer service, which GAMBÍN liked and gave us continuity. What began with batches of fruit gradually became big supplies from different parts of Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, etc. It was about making great seasons, increasing year after year, where mutual understanding and good work were always essential.

–After all these years there must be loads of stories… 

With such a long relationship we could tell many anecdotes, good and bad ones. Ultimately, I would like to highlight that our relationship has always been based on making easy what it is impossible for others.

–How was this relationship consolidated? What’s the secret of its constant improvement?

The relationship was growing and so was the number of orders. Both businesses were developing similarly thanks to the smooth communication between companies. We feel like “soulmates” because we are serious companies with clear objectives: to be nice, honest and hardworking. Our work philosophies were noticeable in our professionality carrying out our invoices. Not a single mistake or incident has ever been made, an example to follow! We realized really soon that our relationship would last for a long time because we had the same ambitions and dreams. We wanted to develop great companies, with great objectives, bearing in mind that it wouldn’t be easy and we’d have to give everything we had to it…And that’s what we did.

–How did you plan that parallel growth and what was it based on? 

There’s enough time in 25 years to do anything: to grow, to professionalize and to stay strong during different adverse situations. The most important thing is to have the bases clear and never forget where we come from or the responsibility we have. In this sense, GAMBÍN sets an example. And no one said it was easy. In my opinion, in family businesses with a long tradition, leadership is fundamental: it has to be defined and the leader must know how to drive both the team and the family to the right place. In order to do so, the leader must be trusted, because generational changes in family businesses are very delicate. In this regard, GAMBÍN has rightly positioned itself by its team and by transmitting security.

–What would you highlight of the processes developed by GAMBÍN in order to improve its transport operations and therefore meet the expectations of their clients?

GAMBÍN follows its clear vision and ideas, knowing perfectly where they come from, where they are now and where they want to go. This vision is set in their future, with the help of an ideal structure, a qualified human team, and their expertise, they are always aware of what their objectives are. As well as the company vision, the evolution regarding transport operations has evolved in a positive and gradual way. The professionalism of the logistics department is impressive: hard work combined with methods and systems that work smoothly, so their clients receive their orders in time.

–How do you think GAMBÍN is positioned with respect to the sector average? How does Grupo Fuentes contribute to it?

Comparing it to the average of the sector, GAMBÍN highly exceeds the average. From the moment we receive the orders with positioning time, we transmit the necessary information for our company to provide the expected service. From my position as a carrier, I would like to highlight the pressures we currently have due to strict regulations regarding our working schedules. These regulations require highly organized work in order to provide the premium service that Grupo Fuentes offers.

What do you value most about your collaboration with GAMBÍN?

We value loyalty and the fact that we are dealing with a lifetime customer in constant evolution, which transmits its ambition towards the future. It is the ideal client we look for. United hand in hand, from Grupo Fuentes we participate in their continuous improvement and we won’t let down our guard. We will keep thinking that there are still loads to be done as part of Gambín. In fact, we have never felt like suppliers, but collaborators of a great project.

How many trucks are currently en route with the GAMBÍN logo?  

We currently have ten refrigerated semi-trailers and one curtainsider semi-trailer.

What’s the future of the FUENTES – GAMBÍN relationship? 

The future lies in continuing to support the project of GAMBÍN. On our part, we are committed to keep improving. We will continue to implement digital developments in order to provide better service in monitoring and tracing goods. We are very conscious of how important it is to keep a good image in front of our customers and we take great care of it. We do it by caring for details and transmitting to our staff and clients that we are winning teams that appreciate quality above all.