Ivens Dias Branco: simple, creative, practical

In 1953, when he was 19 years old, Ivens started working with his father Manuel, a Portuguese immigrant. In less than three decades, he turned Padaria Fortaleza (Fortaleza Bakery) into one of the largest industrial groups in Latin America in the cookies and pasta industry. He also owns hotels, a cement factory, a construction company, and a grain transportation port in Bahia. However, his most special feature is actually his character and the singular way he relates to people. Sergio Vilas-Boas conducted 80 interviews to compose this profile, shedding light on the causes and consequences of the positive unanimity of this discrete and methodical gentleman who, with dedication and perspicacity, immensely contributed to the socioeconomic progress of Brazil’s Northeast region.


About the author

Sergio Vilas-Boas is a journalist, writer, and professor. He has authored Biografismo and Perfis as well as other influential books. The book Doutor desafio (Doctor Challenge) was published in 2011, profiling Algar Group’s President Luiz Garcia. He also develops narrative projects for companies and conducts journalism and literature courses and workshops throughout Brazil. For more information, visit sergiovilasboas.com.br.