THE LOOKOUT | AgroRibatejo: 70 years supporting the agricultural and industrial sector

At a party that brought together friends, family, customers, suppliers and former and current employees, manager Gonçalo Eloy highlighted the entrepreneurial spirit of the founders and the strong leadership of his father.

AgroRibatejo celebrated 70 years of existence with a party that brought together family, friends, customers, suppliers and employees, two of whom were honored for their dedication to the company over dozens of years and who have now retired. The celebration took place at Quinta do Freixo in Santarém, the city where the company has its headquarters. The company manager, Gonçalo Eloy, highlighted the entrepreneurial spirit of the founders, his grandfather José Eloy Godinho, aged 41 at the time, and João Joaquim Fragoso.
Gonçalo Eloy praised the dedication of the employees and the interaction with customers and suppliers. He highlighted that he manages a demanding company and recalled the leadership and vision of his father, José Júlio Eloy, who passed away in 2022, who will be honored by the Portuguese Industrial Association (AIP) with a gold medal posthumously, as announced by president José Eduardo Carvalho . The workers honored were Joaquim José Santos, with 37 years at the company, and Manuel Picado, who joined the company at 15 years old and where he worked for 54 years of his life.
AgroRibatejo started working in facilities measuring 50 square meters and with three employees, but eight years later it had already expanded the space to 300 square meters and in 1975 it had an area of ​​1500m2. In 1995 the company moved to the industrial zone with an area of ​​4000m2. The first steps were taken with representations from some brands and as a result of the vision of the entrepreneurs who led the company and who quickly began going to international fairs to look for solutions. Some brands won through contacts at competitions in other countries still remain partners of AgroRibatejo today.
The manager recalled that his father was an accomplished manager, who saw the company’s birth when he was 18 years old. “The manager’s leadership and vision is extremely important, however his employees are fundamental”, highlighted Gonçalo Eloy, highlighting that the company has surrounded itself with fantastic people and professionals.
Gonçalo Eloy presented guests with a piece that marks the company’s important moment, engraved with the photo of founder José Virgílio Eloy maneuvering a tracked tractor in the machinery parade that took place at the Ribatejo Fair, assuming that the same dated 1976. The company, remember, began by selling machines, parts and accessories for large-scale farming and some earthmoving machines, which at the time were an innovation on the market.
AgroRibatejo was a pioneering company in several areas and above all in its vision of the market and the country’s needs in terms of equipment, today transmitting a leadership position, based on innovation and development. AGRO-RIBATEJO is a leader in the sale of parts and accessories for industrial and agricultural tractors.