Señorío de Montanera Premio Nacional Pyme del año

Señorío de Montanera, already a leading brand in the PDO Dehesa de Extremadura, received the 2019 National SME of the Year Award from the Chamber of Commerce and Banco Santander. This recognition is firm support for the work of SMEs in our country, the true engine driving the growth of our economy and job creation.

It was an easy choice in light of everything that this Extremadura company has done to create indefinite employment, foster respect for the environment, training plans for workers, initiatives for innovation and digitalisation, and Corporate Social Responsibility projects.

The 2019 National SME of the Year Award was presented on June 29 by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce and Banco Santander. This award recognizes the efforts of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their vital role in creating jobs and prosperity. In its third edition, the SME of the Year Award went to the Extremadura company Señorío de Montanera, dedicated to producing 100% acorn-fed Iberian hams and charcuterie from the PDO Dehesa de Extremadura. The virtual awards ceremony was conducted by journalist Pepa Bueno and included talks from the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Reyes Maroto; CEO of Santander Spain, Rami Aboukhair; chairman of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, José Luis Bonet; CEO at Prisa Noticias, Alejandro Martínez; and chairwoman of the SME Commission for the Spanish Chambers of Commerce, Isabel Puig.

In an emotional address, Señorío de Montanera Chairman Francisco Espárrago dedicated this 2019 SME of the Year Award to the entire Señorío de Montanera family: “every single one of us constituting our brand, and especially those no longer with us but who have always been, and will always be, Señorío de Montanera.” Our participation in this event is backed by an exceptional raw material: 100% acorn-fed Iberian pigs in a rural environment that helps to conserve a threatened natural ecosystem such as the dehesa (oak forest), the last natural Mediterranean forest in Spain. The Minister Reyes Maroto congratulated the winners and described this award as “one of the most prestigious recognitions in the business world.” este premio como «uno de los reconocimientos más prestigiosos del mundo empresarial».

Señorio de Montanera

Señorío de Montanera is a leader in the production of pure Iberian ham with the Protected Designation of Origin Dehesa de Extremadura. In the last year, the company launched a complete range of 100% natural and healthy organic Iberian products, and has consolidated its Corporate Social Responsibility, including social actions, into its business strategy. Its new, more intuitive and accessible online shop has tripled individual sales in recent months.

Señorío de Montanera has been producing hams, shoulder hams, cured sausages and meats since 1995, from 100% Iberian pigs, reared in freedom in pastures of their own and fed exclusively on acorns and natural pastures during the Montanera season. All manufacturing processes are integrated into a system of continuous improvement in order to achieve the highest quality and maintain meticulous traditional production methods. Señorío de Montanera currently exports 40% of its annual production, with a presence in over 25 countries. Some of its largest markets include the United Kingdom, France, Canada and Japan.

Señorío de Montanera’s primary distinguishing value is its control over the entire production chain, from the rearing of the raw material (pure acorn-fed Iberian pigs) to crafting the final products (hams, shoulder hams, charcuterie, cured sausages and meats). All the partners are farmers dedicated to the rearing of this breed, fattening the pigs in dehesas with grass and acorns, during the montanera season. Control over the entire production chain of 100% acorn-fed Iberian products has enabled the company to apply technological innovations to a sector even as traditional as Spain’s Iberian pork products.

About the SME of the year award

Banco Santander and the Chamber of Commerce of Spain established the SME of the Year Award in 2017 to recognise the performance and work of small and medium-sized companies as creators of employment and wealth. The SME of the Year Award recognises the efforts and contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises to regional economic development. It also seeks to provide visibility to the daily efforts of entrepreneurs who make their contribution to local economic development. With a shortlist of over 1,500 companies, this third edition of the SME of the Year has broken the record in terms of number of candidates. The award is aimed at small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 250 employees, with a turnover of less than 50 million Euro.

The 2019 SME of the Year was chosen from among the prominent award-winning companies by regional chambers of commerce from a pool of over 1,500 companies, and Señorío de Montanera was selected as 2019 Badajoz SME of the Year. The panel bestowed this recognition in consideration of job creation, particularly focused on indefinite or permanent employment; training actions for employees; international activity; figures over time in terms of exports and opening up to new markets; innovation and digitalisation initiatives; and the aforementioned social responsibility projects.