The company Transportes F. Ramos S.L, dedicated to the national and international transport of bulk liquids by land, rail and sea, won the 2023 SME of the Year Award in the province of Tarragona, granted by Banco Santander in collaboration with the Chamber of Spain and The Vanguard. The jury, made up of the director of Coordination of Spanish Chamber Chambers, José Luis Coll; the sub-delegate of the Government in Tarragona, Santiago Castellà; a representative of the Reus Chamber of Commerce, Mario Basora; a representative of the Tarragona Chamber of Commerce, Daniel Martín; a representative of the Valls Chamber of Commerce, Carles Soler; a representative of Banco Santander, Josep Martí Navarro, and a representative of La Vanguardia, Mireia Seoane, valued their contribution to job creation, with a workforce growth of more than 10% in 2022, and their extensive and dynamic program of training.
In addition, the company is committed to sustainability by making a powerful investment, in which 55% of the energy consumed comes from self-consumption. Transportes F. Ramos S.L has the ISO 9001, ISO 22000, Qualimat and GMP certifications, the last two being very demanding international accreditations in terms of food safety. The company, thanks to the export of services, this year 2022 has increased its turnover by 25%.
In 2022, in addition, it invested €650,000 in intermodality, reaching 235 containers, €1.3 million in more eco-efficient tractors and €400,000 in tankers with lighter and more resistant materials. The Director of Operations of Transportes F. Ramos S.L, Nacho Ramos, was in charge of collecting the award, in an act that was held at the Palau Bofarull in Reus. Ramos considers the award "a recognition of the perseverance and dedication with which we have worked throughout our career", which reinforces his connection and commitment to the community and the local business fabric.
In essence, he points out, it is "a tribute to the effort and dedication of the team, because, at the end of the day, it is they who are on the roads or in front of the screens, ensuring that each operation runs smoothly." “Firmly convinced” that their team is their greatest asset, Ramos explains that they invest significantly in their development. "We offer a wide range of training programs to ensure that our workforce is up to date with the latest developments and can make decisions in real time."
Thus, the training ranges from technical aspects, safety and hygiene, to leadership skills and academic training. In addition, they offer academic training programs for those who wish to expand their skill set and knowledge beyond their current roles. All of this, Ramos points out, "not only contributes to the personal growth of the individual, but also adds incalculable value to the company as it brings new perspectives and approaches to the table." Therefore, he confesses, “training is more than just an investment for us. It is an essential strategy that allows us to be at the forefront of our industry, maintain a highly qualified team and, ultimately, offer a better service to our clients”. Sustainability is another of the essential pillars of the company since its creation.
In this sense, an important initiative has been the acquisition of vehicles equipped with the latest generation Eurovie engines and alternative fuels, a commitment that allows them to minimize harmful emissions and move towards a more ecological transport fleet. However, explains Ramos, perhaps the most significant initiative in the field of sustainability is its commitment to intermodal transport: "More than a decade ago, we adopted this system, which combines different modes of transport with rail as a key element. This choice has not only optimized our transportation operations, but has also contributed to a considerable reduction in carbon emissions.” Only in 2022, he specifies, they have achieved a reduction of 7 million KG of CO2 in the atmosphere. No less important is the digitization of processes and the reduction in the use of paper, with which they have managed to significantly reduce their carbon footprint and, at the same time, make operations more efficient.
In addition to the Tarragona SME of the Year Award, four second prizes were also awarded, in the Internationalization categories; Innovation and digitization; Training and Employment, and Sustainable Company. The Second Prize for Internationalization was awarded to Tropipalms S.L, a nursery specializing in the sale of plants, olive trees, palm trees, cacti and agaves, while the Second Prize for Innovation and Digitization went to Zip Online Services S.L, which offers transfers from the airport to the contracted accommodation.
The Second Prize for Training and Employment was awarded to Garcia Riera S.L, one of the main construction companies in the territory, with extensive experience in industrial maintenance services. And, finally, the Second Prize for Sustainable Company in the province of Tarragona went to Loal Logistics S.L, a transport company that bases its essence on respect for the environment. Transportes F. Ramos S.L will compete for the 2023 National SME of the Year Award, which will be chosen among the winners of each province.
The name will be known in the first quarter of 2024, in a great event to be held in Madrid. For their part, the winners of the second prizes will also attend the national final in their respective categories. In this new edition, the seventh of this Award, 1,629 companies from all productive sectors have participated.
