The story between these two big companies began in 1957, when Salvador Vairo, during a trip to Mexico searching for cellophane paper for packing the shirts produced by his company, came across with the ban of the production of such material because of environmental reasons. It was in that moment that he discovered the introduction of plastics, a new material intended to replace cellophane. He decided to visit the factory that produced it, finding out fascinatedly that the used machine was labelled “Costruzioni Meccaniche Luigi Bandera, BUSTO ARSIZIO ITALIA“. Driven by a great curiosity, Salvador did not come back to El Salvador, instead flew directly to Milan to meet the Italian manufacturer.
So it was that he had the privilege to meet Luigi Bandera, founder of the homonymous company, involved in the production of extruders since 1947. Both the business leaders had always built their success on shared values, such as the commitment to people, the talent development and the building of long-terms relationships. As a token of appreciation for the visit of this new customer from America, Luigi Bandera invited Salvador to spend a weekend in Ginevra. This meeting became the starting point for a successful career for Salvador Vairo in the plastic industry. He bought, indeed, the first plastic extruder for Central America and, on the 25th of April 1958, grounded the first plastic factory in the region: Industrias Plásticas S.A. de C.V. (IPSA).
Label of the first extruder bought by Salvador Vairo in 1957. Machine still running.
Nowadays, Bandera is proud to be welcomed in El Salvador, where Edoardo Bandera, member of Bandera SpA’s Board of Directors and representant of the third generation of our family, had the pleasure to meet Mariano Pitta, CEO of Ipsa Latinoamérica and representant of the third generation of Vairo family, who leads this extraordinary company with passion.
In the photo, Edoardo Bandera, Alessandro Mazza and Mariano Pitta during the visit by Ipsa Latinoamérica.
This visit is not only a symbolic meeting, but also concrete evidence of values that have always guided our collaboration started in 1957 between Luigi Bandera and Salvador Vairo. Values such as honesty, transparency, professionalism, leadership and friendship, that have been handed down and shared through three generations, show that it is possible to build mutually successful relationships, overcoming geographical distances.
This story also reminds us of the importance of a sustained commitment to core values, that favors not only the creation long-lasting business relationships but also promote mutual development and trust among generations within family businesses committed to excellence. We will continue to work together to carry this vision forward and to write new chapters in our shared story.
A heartfelt thanks for these 65 years of shared success. We look to the future with the hope of many more years of shared growth.
For any further information please contact Andrea Gorla – Communication Manager a.gorla@lbandera.com
