History

From the origin to today

Since
1980

1980

1980-constitucio agrupaci

Asamblea Constituyente de la Agrupació

On 12 December 1980, the Constituent Assembly of the new Association of Cooperatives of Terres de Lleida, today’s ActelGrup, takes place, and a Board is appointed.

1981

1981-1r consejo rector

Primer Consejo Rector

The first Steering Committee is appointed by the Extraordinary General Assembly, held on 6 March 1981 and presided by Pere Boldú.
At the end of this first financial year, the Association unites 107 cooperatives (all in the Supplies section, 49 in the Cereals section and 27 in the Fruit section).

1982

1982-constitucio federaci

Precursores de la Federació de Cooperatives Catalanes

Following principles such as the preference for commercial partnership between cooperatives for both supply and distribution, exploiting the benefits of inclusion and a commitment to serving members’ needs, the Association participates in the constitution of the Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives and three of its members are elected to the first Board.

1985

1985-Primera-APA

Primera APA de cereales

The Cereals section constitutes the APA (Agricultural Producers’ Association). It is a pioneering experience in concentrating cereal offer.

1987

1987-creacio central

Creación de Central, una correduría para el mundo cooperativo

The most important news in the year 1987 is the creation of Central d’Assegurances, an insurance agency for the consultancy, hiring and guaranteeing of insurance policies in the cooperative world.

1988

1988 – La Agrupació, primer exportador (1)

La Agrupació, primer exportador de fruta dulce

The Association, with the brands Actel, Newton and Capfrut, is established as the first sweet fruit exporter. In the same year, the fruit sales network is expanded to Portugal, Italy and Germany and the sale of fruit to European countries for processing is begun.

1988

1980---logo

De la Agrupació a ACTEL

Association becomes the commercial brand ACTEL (Association of Cooperatives of Terres de Lleida).

1992

1992-ecu

ECU, comercialización única frente a un mercado difícil

After three very hard fruit seasons, the need to pursue a common sales strategy is clear. This realisation serves as the seed for the shared marking team (ECU) project. The aim is to create an inclusive, charitable and equitable organisation of fruit producing cooperatives.

1993

1993 - Certificación CCPAE en aceite

Certificación CCPAE en aceite

The Catalan Council of Organic Agricultural Production (CCPAE) is the control authority in Catalonia and its purpose is to audit and certify organic Catalan agricultural and food products.

1993

1993-actel

Nueva sede social y consolidación de la marca ACTEL

ACTEL acquires some of its facilities from La Pràctica Agricultural Cooperative and moves its company headquarters to Vall d’Aran road, thereby beginning to occupy offices of its own. The company’s first main office is located in the Caixa Rural Provincial of Lleida, on Rambla Ferran, and later moved to the annex building. When the office was expanded in 1986, it was moved into a rental space at Mercolleida, where it remained until the move to the current building. In this period of time, the commercial brand ACTEL is established as the company’s new name. A qualityservice is also created to supervise the production, post-harvest and processing of the fruit to ensure that it complies with the characteristics established with the clients.

1996
1997

1996-97 – Actel, nueva OPFH europea (1)

Actel, nueva OPFH europea

During these years, Actel has 29 associated fruit cooperatives marketing together through the Fruit Section programme. Due to the new Common Market Organisation (CMO), the Fruit and Vegetable Producer Organisation (FVPO) qualification is renewed.

1998

1998-1a pedra centre

Proyecto de inicio del Centro Logístico de fruta

In 1998, Actel embarks upon its most ambitious project: the Fruit Logistics Centre of Térmens. The land is purchased and construction is begun. This infrastructure will facilitate fruit production and optimise processing.

2000

2000inauguracio centre

Inauguración del Centro Logístico de fruta

The inauguration of the Fruit Logistics Centre takes place on 4 November 2000 and is presided over by the president of the Government of Catalonia, Jordi Pujol. The new facility has made it possible to increase the sale of manufactured products and revenues.

2000

2000-Premi Intercooperació-7

Premio Intercooperació

This same year, the President of Actel receives the Prize for Cooperation awarded by the Labour Department of the Government of Catalonia.

2001

Certificación ISO 9001-2000

Actel obtains ISO 9001-2000 certification for the Fruit Logistics Centre in Térmens, which, in its third year, incorporates a second work shift.

2002

Captura de pantalla 2022-03-29 a las 17.50.38

Creación de Fruit Futur

Actel participates in the creation of Fruit Futur (along with IRTA and other companies from the sector), to obtain new apple and pear varieties, in collaboration with Hort Research of New Zealand.

2002

2002---logo

De Actel a Grup Actel

Actel changes its corporate image to enter a new stage and reveal itself as a strong business group rooted in the cooperative world and introduces the GRUP ACTEL concept.

2003

2003 - Certificación Producción Integrada en fruta

Certificación de Producción Integrada en fruta

It is an agricultural production system for high-quality food and other products which uses natural resources and regulatory mechanisms to prevent harmful contributions to the environment, guaranteeing a sustainable form of agriculture in the long term.

2003

Certificación ISO en Central

An ISO certificate is a quality guarantee which proves useful for the agency itself and for the clients, as both can rely on the certainty that the standards offered are the highest possible.

2003

2003-visita princep

Visita del Príncipe Felipe

The Logistics Centre in Térmens is visited by Prince Philip in June 2003.

2003

2003-premi innovacio tecnologica

Premio a la Innovación Tecnológica

Grup Actel becomes the first cooperative in Catalonia and the first company in Lleida to earn the 2003 Catalonia Prize for Technological Innovation, awarded by the Generalitat (government of Catalonia).

2006

Applicable to oil and vinegar

Certificación BRC en fruta

BRC certification ensures that we comply with the requisites which guarantee the safety, quality and legality of our fruit.

2007

2007 - Certificación IFS en fruta

Certificación IFS en fruta

La certificación IFS demuestra que cumplimos con los requisitos de los distribuidores europeos en materia de calidad y seguridad de la fruta.

2007

2007 - Certificación Global G.A.P en fruta

Certificación Global G.A.P en fruta

IFS certification demonstrates that we comply with the requisites of European wholesalers in matters of fruit quality and safety.

GLOBALG.A.P. establishes voluntary standards used to certify agricultural products all around the world. The protocol is based on food safety criteria. It contemplates production techniques with the goal of a controlled use of phytosanitary products to minimise the impact of wastes on food, man and his environment.

2007

Allotjament temporers1

Alojamiento para temporeros

We build 100 lodging units for temporary workers at the Logistics Centre, subsidised by the European Union.

2008

2009-oli

Nueva área de negocio: Aceite

Grup Actel absorbs Agroles, a company which produces and sells extra virgin olive oil, grenache wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar and packaged nuts and also makes arbequina and black olive paté, in a range of products from organic to conventional and with some very well-known brands: Germanor and Romanico.

2009

2009-1r Plan Estratégico

1r Plan Estratégico de ActelGrup

Grup Actel decides to create its first strategic plan. A plan which intends to position the group in the market, consolidate the project while generating value for its members and professionally develop workers in both the central services and first-tier cooperatives.

2009

Certificación BRC en aceite

BRC certification ensures that we comply with the requisites which guarantee the safety, quality and legality of our olive oil and vinegar.

2009

Certificación D.O.P. Pera de Lleida

Our pears are certified with Protected Designation of Origin Pera de Lleida, as they belong to the three authorised varieties (Llimonera, Blanquilla and Conference) and come from the registered plantations located in the area of production, farmed according to a protocol of good agricultural practices, such as Integrated Production GLOBALG.A.P. or the equivalent. Moreover, the fruits are only handled in the factories and warehouses authorised by the PDO itself.

2010

Certificación IGP Módena

Our balsamic vinegars of Modena are manufactured respecting the highest quality standards. The PGI (protected geographical indication) guarantees the quality, origin and flavour of our vinegars.

2010

2010 – Signatura convenio Aspros

Firma del convenio con Aspros

For the first time, an agreement with the Aspros Private Foundation is signed. Aspros is a nonprofit organisation which has been working since 1962 to promote the inclusion and quality of life of people with diverse abilities, mainly intellectual disabilities and mental illness.

2011

2011 - 1a diada soci

Primera Diada del Soci

On 7 May 2011, a day of fellowship for all Grup Actel members, workers and family members is celebrated at the Fruit Logistics Centre. The programme includes activities for children, oil tastings, contests, and guided tours of the facility and ends with a farmer’s stew for all attendants.

2011

2011-Premio al mérito Científico e Investigador (1)

Premio al mérito Científico e Investigador

The Lleida City Council presented the plaque for Scientific and Research Merit to Grup Actel for its work performed in Lleida these last 30 years, which has contributed to improving citizens’ quality of life.

2012

2012---logo

Nueva imagen corporativa

ActelGrup’s new symbol represents the sum of the companies that make up the group and evokes a visual reading of the communicative concepts of union, cooperation, dynamism and the letter A for Actel.

2013

Certificación GRASP en fruta

GRASP (GLOBALG.A.P. Risk Assessment on Social Practice) is a voluntary, ready-to-use module designed to assess social practices. Good agricultural practice is not just about products: it’s about people as well.

2013

2013 - 2º Plan Estratégico

2º Plan Estratégico de ActelGrup

A strategic plan marked by the organisational changes designed to redraw and establish the group’s new strategy. It stands out for the creation of the departments of agricultural production, industrial production, quality and innovation, administration and finances and expansion.

2013

2013 - qeviris (1)

Inauguración de la tienda de alimentos cooperativos Qêviris

On 26 April, the tape is cut on the shop of cooperative foods, Qêviris.

2014

2014 - Nuevas inversiones logísticas en el Centro Logístico de Térmens

Nuevas inversiones logísticas en el Centro Logístico de Térmens

To make the installations more competitive and achieve more logistical quality, numerous actions are taken at the Centre, with the expansion of the packaging warehouse, the acquisition of a new calibration machine, new mesh net packing machines, new refrigeration chambers in reception and the adaptation of parking for workers.

2014

2014 - funde

Premio a la Igualdad de Oportunidades en el ámbito laboral y conciliación laboral y personal de FUNDE

FUNDE is the Association of Entrepreneurs, Directors and Professionals which awarded this year’s prize in the category of equal opportunities in the professional sphere and work-life balance to ActelGrup.

2016

2016 - El aceite Romanico Esencia Premium ganador

El aceite Romanico Esencia Premium, ganador de la medalla de plata del Olive Japan International Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The arbequina variety extra virgin olive oil Agroles wins the silver medal in Japan’s most important extra virgin olive oil competition organised by the sommeliers association OSAJ of Japan.

2017

2017 – Premio Empresa Solidaria 2017 (1)

Premio Empresa Solidaria 2017 por el Ayuntamiento de Lleida

ActelGrup earns this distinction due to the agreement it has kept since 2002 with the Aspros Foundation, a leading organisation in the promotion of awareness-raising actions on psychological disabilities which runs programmes designed to further the social and professional inclusion of people with disabilities.

2017

2017 – Premio CoopCat

Premio CoopCat

This award, granted by the Confederation of Cooperatives of Catalonia and accepted by the president of ActelGrup, has been made public in a ceremony led by the vice president of the Government, Oriol Junqueras. In the 1st edition, the jury has recognised ActelGrup for its projects on cooperation and internationalisation and for its contribution to Catalan society, to the cooperative movement and for knowing how to transfer cooperative values.

2017

2017 – 30 aniversario Central

30º aniversario de Central

The Seu Vella of Lleida hosted the ceremony to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Central d’Assegurances, whose 100 or so attendants included representatives of cooperative companies and other organisations of the agricultural industry sector, and also the main insurance companies.

2017

2017 – 3r Plan Estratégico

3r Plan Estratégico de ActelGrup

The 2017-2019 Strategic Plan is the result of a year of analysis and reflection, with a more rigorous, more professional and more transparent cooperative business approach to accomplish the primary goal of improving the members’ revenues.

2018

2018 – Signatura convenio ActelGrup – UdL

Firma del convenio ActelGrup – UdL para la formación de jóvenes

The president of ActelGrup and the rector of the UdL sign a four-year cooperative agreement for the execution of instructional activities for members.

2018

2018-1ª promoción curso jóvenes (1)

1ª promoción del curso jóvenes con titulación universitaria en Especialización en la gestión de una empresa agraria

On 12 March, diplomas are issued to the students who have successfully completed the course in Agricultural Business Management in the Cooperative World organised by ActelGrup and the University of Lleida. The programme has been imparted by professors from the University of Lleida and Navarra and expert researchers from IRTA have also participated.

2019

2019 - Certificación IFS en aceite

Certificación IFS en aceite

IFS certification demonstrates that we comply with the requisites of European wholesalers when it comes to the quality and safety of oil and vinegar.

2019

2019 – Signatura convenio colaboración con Cruz Roja (1)

Firma de la colaboración con Cruz Roja

In the framework of corporate social responsibility, a series of actions have been initiated to fulfil our commitment to the ethical and social sphere.

2019

2019-Premio a la excelencia empresarial por nuestro compromiso con la calidad otorgado por elEconomista.es

Premio a la excelencia empresarial por nuestro compromiso con la calidad otorgado por elEconomista.es

On 30 October in the auditorium of Foment del Treball in Barcelona, the ceremony for the 1st El Economista Prizes for Business Excellence was held, at which ActelGrup was awarded the Prize for Business Excellence for Commitment to Quality.

2020

2020-Premio Empresa Solidaria 2020

Premio Empresa Solidaria 2020 por el Ayuntamiento de Lleida

Coinciding with the World Day of Social Justice, the Lleida City council recognises ActelGrup for its implication with society.

2020

2020--logo

Nueva imagen corporativa

This new image corresponds to the cooperative group’s intention to transmit the values of proximity and connection to its members and clients, the solidity and sustainability of the group, and leadership based on the people who work
every day to position ActelGrup as a leader in its areas of business.

2021

Final-ASPIRA24_baner

4º Plan Estratégico Aspira24

Aspira24 is the name of the strategic plan which, in terms of revenues, will lead the Grup to reach the figure of 275 million euros in 2024. Moreover, the actions foreseen will make it possible to strengthen the relationship with the foundational cooperatives and producers, also reinforcing our cooperative’s brand and key values: innovation and focus on results.

2021

2021-atec_

atec:, nuevo modelo de servicio técnico

atec: is the brand which defines the new way of doing things on an organisational level. It is a cross-cutting area within ActelGrup whose purpose is to offer full service to the affiliate/producer of our cereal and fruit cooperatives.

2021

Certificación Kosher en aceite

Kosher certification guarantees consumers that the manufacturing of the products and ingredients it contains comply with kosher food policy and, in addition, is an indicator that the product complies with the strictest standards of cleaning, purity and quality.

2021

2021-logo-Agro

Programa de formación AgroActiva’t

AgroActiva’t is the name we have given to the annual training programme geared solely toward our members.

2021

ACTELGRUP-Portada-APP-socis

APP exclusiva para socios

An application is launched to give members access to all the information on their farm operations and insurance plans, as well as on the rest of Actel’s products, in real time and just a click away.

2023

Conveni 2

Firma convenio con Associació de Donants de Sang del Segrià

We signed a collaboration agreement with the Segrià Blood Donor Association to collaborate on improving blood supplies in Catalonia, raising awareness about the importance and need for blood donations, and organizing donation days.

2025

novacoop

Strategic alliance

Creation of a joint venture between Actel and Fruits de Ponent with the aim of establishing joint management of the fruit, oil, almond, energy management and all services for its members.