Gregorio Pérez Companc
Gregorio Pérez Companc | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 August 1934 Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Died | 14 June 2024 (aged 89) |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Leadership of Petrolera Pérez Companc, ownership of Molinos Río de la Plata |
Gregorio Pérez Companc (originally named Jorge Gregorio Bazán; born 23 August 1934 – passed away 14 June 2024), frequently referred to as Don Gregorio or Goyo, was a prominent Argentine entrepreneur and ranked among the nation's wealthiest, with an estimated fortune of US$2.5 billion as of August 2021.
Background
Pérez Companc entered the world in Buenos Aires and was adopted in 1945 by Margarita Companc de Pérez Acuña, a well-known social figure. In 1964, he wed María del Carmen "Munchi" Sundblad Beccar-Varela, an heiress. Following his family’s acquisition of Banco Río de La Plata, he assumed the role of director in 1968. His considerable wealth was largely amassed through leadership of Petrolera Pérez Companc, a family-owned oil and gas conglomerate established by his adoptive father in 1946.
Between 1990 and 1994, the company expanded its footprint within Argentina by engaging actively in the nation’s privatization initiatives. By 1993, Pérez Companc secured majority ownership of Banco Río de La Plata from his siblings, later divesting it to Banco Santander in 1997. The consolidated sales reported by Pérez Companc S.A. reached US$1.41 billion by 1996.
In 1998, the family launched PC Holdings S.A., a publicly traded holding entity, and acquired a controlling 68% interest in Molinos Río de la Plata from agribusiness giant Bunge y Born for US$380 million. Molinos Río de la Plata is recognized as a leading Argentine processed foods company with notable brands such as Luchetti pasta, Cocinero cooking oils, and Nobleza Gaucha yerba mate, which collectively generated around US$850 million in revenue by 2009.
Transition into the 21st century
In 1999, shareholders of Pérez Companc S.A. exchanged voting shares for nonvoting Class B shares in PC Holdings S.A., enabling the Pérez Companc family to maintain a 58% ownership stake alongside 80% voting authority; this structure received approval from the Comisión Nacional de Valores. The Argentine economic crisis spanning from 1998 to 2002 adversely affected the energy sector, resulting in a 3% decline in Petrolera Pérez Companc’s revenues to US$1.27 billion in 1999. That same year, the family divested their remaining 19% interest in Banco Río de la Plata. Despite ongoing financial instability, the group’s combined portfolio across energy, food processing, and financial services increased in value by approximately 20% during 2001.
A pivotal transaction took place in October 2002 when the family sold their majority 60% stake in Petrolera Pérez Companc to Petrobras, Brazil’s leading oil company, for roughly US$1 billion paid through cash and bonds.
Personal life
Gregorio Pérez Companc and his spouse María del Carmen Sundblad Beccar Varela were parents to eight children, among them Luis and Pablo Pérez Companc. The family sustained close connections with Catholic charitable organizations through substantial philanthropic contributions.
Outside of his corporate endeavors, Pérez Companc managed Munchi's, a modest ice cream parlor franchise, and engaged in Jersey dairy cattle farming. He was also renowned for his enthusiasm for high-end automobiles, owning distinguished vehicles including a Bugatti, Maserati, a limited-edition Ferrari F50, and the unique Ferrari 330 TRI/LM racing model.
Gregorio Pérez Companc passed away on 14 June 2024 at the age of 89.