Quality and experience are two words closely linked to Conservas Lolin, which has made them an integral part of its business. Since 1955 the firm has striven for a meticulous production process which has helped to shape it as the best company in the industry. Lolin has become a company renowned for the high quality and unique taste of its anchovies, Bay of Biscay White Tuna and yellowfin tuna.
Its founder, Manuel Gutiérrez Elorza, has managed to take one of Cantabria’s star products, the anchovy, to the highest standards. This could not have been done without a strategy in which quality and great care over the products takes precedence. Every step until the finished product is canned is crucial at Lolin. To obtain the best raw material, Conservas Lolin is present at the harbour auctions, and bids to secure the batches of excellent quality. In fact, over the last 4 years, Conservas Lolin has been present at the fish markets of the Bay of Biscay bidding for the highest quality specimens, and has purchased 70 percent of the raw material from the coasts.
This commitment to quality meant that in the 1970s Conservas Lolin distinguished itself from the hundred or so companies in the industry located in Castro Urdiales. At that time, Lolin’s business strategy focussed on exporting Anchovies in salt to the Italian market -a line of business that remains open- and, naturally, it supplied the Spanish market, were it is currently a leader in the canning industry.
In 1990 a further step was taken. Manuel Gutiérrez Elorza decided to launch Salazones y Conservas Lolin, the brand that has distinguished the firm in recent years. Since then, Lolin has become synonymous with quality anchovies that can be trusted. In fact, on several occasions the work carried out at the factory has been acknowledged with Silver and Gold Medals, with the gold awarded on Conservas Lolin’s fiftieth anniversary.
Lolin’s extensive experience in salting and canning anchovies has helped it to embark on new adventures, such as the opening of its superb premises in 2007, which have allowed it to expand its range of products. Currently, the Lolin menu includes excellent canned White Tuna (known as Bonito del Norte in Spain) and Yellowfin Tuna.
Lolin’s premises, located in the seaside town of Castro Urdiales, cover a surface area of over 15,000 square metres, used for selecting and preparing the product from fresh. The factory is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and exhaustive quality control procedures guarantee the production. Likewise, they have a specialised laboratory for analysing production and researching new processes and advances to increase the quality of the anchovies and tuna and make them more competitive.
As a resident of Castro Urdiales, Conservas Lolin is also fully committed to improving its neighbours’ quality of life. Every year the company organises visits so that the municipality’s children can get to know the premises and, in sport, it sponsors the La Marinera rowing boat.
Within its sector, Conservas Lolin is not just a leader in quality, but also in championing this industry. In fact, it promotes contact among the agents involved in this sector internationally through events such as the International Bay of Biscay Resources Conference or the Transformar cluster.
In short, since the beginning Conservas Lolin has been characterised by its commitment and quality, two features that have been strengthened over the years with both business and social actions.
Tel: +34 942 86 44 40 - Fax: +34 942 86 20 44
E-mail: info@conservaslolin.es
