Cristóbal Pérez Ibáñez He is a partner and head of the Technical Department of Cerrillo y Pérez SL., an agricultural supply company located in El Ejido (Almería) that is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. In 1996, a couple of friends decided to embark on a business venture that would allow them to advance professionally, dedicating themselves to what they love most: agriculture and customer service. 

A few weeks ago, they moved their headquarters to a new, larger warehouse with enough space to store the necessary quantities to respond immediately to customer demand. In addition, the new warehouse has ample parking, thus offering better service to the farmers who have placed their trust in them. Cerrillo y Pérez SL. 

• How did your company get started? What motivated you to start it?

The company was formed by two friends with the intention of being able to work as self-employed and independent contractors.

We were both employed by different companies and were given the opportunity to start our own business, in a field where we both had several years of experience, me as a field technician and my partner as an organizer and manager of a supply warehouse.

• What milestones would you highlight in your career? What have been your biggest challenges?

The first challenge was to make the company profitable and survive in a highly competitive business.

I would highlight three important milestones in our trajectory: the first, the departure from the Navasa group to join a new group of companies that was formed in Almería with the multinational fertilizer company, then Hydro, now YARA, which was called Alborán Agrícola.

The second was when, years later, this group broke up and we decided not to join any other collaborative groups. As a result of this, a very significant event in the region, we were able to retain YARA as our supplier of liquid and solid fertilizers.

Thirdly, when we started collaborating with EDYPRO. We had known Vicente Puchol for a few years and explained our situation to him: we were looking for a product line to complement our fertilization. At that moment, we faced perhaps the company's biggest challenge, together with EDYPRO: to gain in-depth knowledge of the product range, to make them known to farmers and to obtain the best recommendations for each crop and at each time, and thus achieve agronomic results with our clients that would lead to consolidation in our sector.

• How long have you been working with EDYPROHow do you think our company has contributed to your company's trajectory?

If I remember correctly, we work with EDYPRO since 2011 or 2012.

EDYPRO Vicente has been a key player in our company; the results have been evident from the very first day we started collaborating. His excellent advice and the quality and efficiency of Vicente's products have been invaluable. EDYPRO They have helped us to be better as a technical consulting and services company.

• What is your assessment of these years of history?

When I recall the beginnings of our company and compare them with the current situation, I find it hard to believe that we have gotten to where we are and that we have the market share that we have.

The overall result is undoubtedly very positive. Let's hope we can continue in this direction.

• What values or differentiating factors have led them to be where they are?

In my opinion, I would say that it is due to the sincere treatment of the farmers, since we offer them a good technical service always prioritizing the agronomic interest of their crops and a fast and quality service.

• What are your short-to-medium-term goals?

To be a leading company in the area with farmers highly satisfied with the service provided.

And to consolidate our relationships with the brands. EDYPRO and YARA.