MEXICO CITY — Roberto Servitje Sendra, the co-founder of Grupo Bimbo, passed away July 17. He was 97 years old.

Servitje joined the newly founded company Bimbo at 17 years old as a sales supervisor, eventually creating and leading the Vehicle Department. He held various positions within the company, including general manager in Guadalajara (1956), Monterrey (1961) and Mexico City (1963), as well as deputy general director (1969), CEO (1978), and chair of the board (1994–2013).

The announcement on Grupo Bimbo’s website said, “Don Roberto leaves behind an invaluable legacy. He was a man of strong values and deep convictions, generous in his interactions and unwavering in his purpose. With human warmth and business discipline, he inspired and led thousands of associates in building a company he always envisioned as a great family.

A self-taught man with a calling for service, he was passionate about mechanics, painting and lifelong learning. Thanks to his leadership, the company strengthened its technological capabilities, professionalized its processes, and established management principles that remain in place to this day. His vision extended beyond our organization, as he served on prominent business boards in Mexico and abroad.”