INTERVIEW – LUIS SOLANES, OPERATION MANAGER OF CHOCOLATES VALOR

Can you tell something about Valor, the creation of the company?

Chocolates Valor is the reference company in the chocolate sector in Spain. A family company, with more than 130 years of history and its presence in more than 50 international markets, which is characterized by the quality of its products and its commitment to innovation. We focus on healthy pleasure, and we are specialists in premium chocolate bars with high percentages of cocoa, in sugar-free chocolates and in chocolates with nuts, among other products.

Can you speak about your position in the market?

Chocolates Valor is the leading Spanish company in the chocolate sector, competing with the largest multinationals in the market. At the moment we are the second brand in chocolate bars and we are absolute leaders in high percentage chocolates, sugar free chocolates, chocolates with nuts and hot chocolate.

When did you start working with Sapal and why?

We started to work with Sapal because of its reliability, robustness and efficiency that characterizes its developments.

Why do you still work with us despite the competition?

As mentioned, both for the robustness, quality and reliability of their machines, as well as for the efficiency of their developments, which have allowed us to comfortably face our natural growth, as well as the magnificent after-sales service and proximity of their advisors

What do you think are the strengths of Sapal?

The strengths of Sapal are mainly the quality, reliability and robustness of their developments. Their reliable machines provide us with efficiency in the processes. But we would also value the attention and advice of the Sapal staff during the years we have been working with them.

You have a BB and a AA-06 Sapal machines in your factory: can you tell us what do you think about them and how do they work?

We can emphasize that both machines have worked with an optimal performance and that they continue contributing great value to the company, since they have accompanied us in our natural growth. As a leader of important segments in our sector, we are forced to have a very intensive production at certain moments and the Sapal machines always provide us with efficiency and safety in our production processes.

Can you tell us something about the modernization that has been done in 2003? Are you happy with it?

Of course, as we have explained, we at Valor are extremely satisfied with the Sapal machines. These upgrades optimized the efficiency of these machines even further.

Generally, can you say something about the commercial relation between you and Sapal? Are you happy with our machines, would you recommend Sapal?

Of course, we would recommend this firm. The relationship of trust in their developments and their teams has led us to continue working with Sapal over the past 30 years.

Can you tell us something about the way Sapal engineers have been able to help you remotely during the Covid-19 sanitary crisis? What did they do for you?

I would like to highlight the support and closeness shown by the professionals at Sapal during such a complicated time as the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in Europe. This situation came right in the middle of the annual process of the plant’s setting (EL-upgrade). The capacity to work remotely demonstrated by both Sapal’s employees and the team of engineers at Valor has been crucial.