Fernandes Group

Fernandes Group is a Surinamese holding company and one of the largest privately owned conglomerates in Suriname. It was founded in 1910 by Isaak Fernandes as a small novelty store in Paramaribo. The business grew steadily and diversified, but its major expansion began in 1938 when Jule Fernandes, Isaak's only son, acquired the Coca-Cola franchise for Suriname. Under Jule Fernandes's leadership, the company expanded into bottling, bakery, automotive, and other sectors. Today, Fernandes Group is a market leader in several sectors of the Surinamese economy. Its non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverage division, operating through the Coca-Cola franchise, is the market leader in Suriname. The food division produces locally made Fernandes bread, pastry, snacks, and ice cream. The automotive division represents international brands including Isuzu, Volkswagen, Honda, and Subaru. Through its distribution company, Fernandes Group represents international brands such as Enfamil, Grace, Albert Heijn, El Dorado Rum, Freixenet, Fernandes Gouda Cheese, and Agio, as well as local brands Interfood and Sishado. The hardware and home improvement division carries brands such as Makita, Reginox, and Astra. In 2014, the group established Fernandes Guyana Enterprise to export bakery and ice cream products to Guyana. More recently, it entered the industrial services sector, providing specialized services and products for oil, gas, and mining companies in Suriname, including SKF bearings, Continental conveyor belts, Lincoln lubricants, and Liebherr components. The company is privately held and family-owned. After the death of Jule Fernandes, his sons René and Jack Fernandes took over the business in 1988. Under their leadership, Fernandes Group grew into one of the most prominent holding companies in Suriname. The group's beverage portfolio includes nine flavors of Fernandes soft drinks: Cherry Bouquet, Green Punch, Super Pineapple, Red Grape, Purple Sensation, Cream Ginger, Guaraná, Sparkling Coco, and Markoessa (lime). Fernandes products are also exported to the Netherlands, where they are sold in supermarkets and specialty stores. In 2021, a fire destroyed the beverage production facility, leading to a two-and-a-half-year reconstruction period with a US$30 million investment. Bottling of Fernandes and Coca-Cola soft drinks resumed in late 2023, and the new facility was officially opened on March 26, 2024, by President Santokhi. Fernandes Group remains a leading player in Suriname's economy, with a mission to "Delight!" through its products and services.

Fernandes Group originated in the early 20th century. The business was founded in 1910 by Isaak Fernandes, a Jewish Surinamese entrepreneur, as a small novelty store (gift shop) in Paramaribo. The company grew steadily and diversified, but its major expansion began in the 1930s when the Coca-Cola bottling rights for Suriname were acquired. Isaak's son, Jule Fernandes, further expanded the company, establishing a bakery and an automotive dealership. Under Jule's leadership, Fernandes grew into a large enterprise producing many different products in Suriname. After the death of Jule Fernandes, his sons René and Jack Fernandes took over the company in 1988. Under their leadership, Fernandes grew into one of the most prominent holding companies in Suriname. Important products include the various types of Fernandes soft drinks. In 1995, the Inspection Service of the Bureau for Public Health (BOG) intervened when hygiene standards were not strictly followed, and the production department was temporarily closed. According to Jack Fernandes, this was a turning point for the company. He had wanted to modernize at the time, but the Board of Commissioners was not receptive. However, due to the closure, the board agreed and the transition was made to plastic bottles. In 1992, D. Bharatsingh of Lachmansingh Drankengroothandel obtained the distribution rights for the Netherlands, enabling the sale of Fernandes soft drinks through various shops and supermarket chains there. Bharatsingh used his trading company, 'South American Food Express BV' (Safebv), to handle distribution to tokos (Asian specialty stores). Gradually, Fernandes products were also offered in Dutch supermarkets. After Jac Hermans, Albert Heijn and other supermarkets followed. Sales increased between 1977 and 2002 from 5,000 to 1.2 million Fernandes packages per year. In March 2020, during the COVID-19 crisis in Suriname, Jules Fernandes took the initiative to establish the VSB Covid-19 Support Fund with Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname and Surinam Plastics Manufacturing, placed under the management of the Association of Surinamese Businesses (VSB). The companies raised €170,000 to support the Surinamese healthcare sector. The fund was subsequently supported by McDonald's and a large number of Surinamese companies, reaching a total of more than one million euros. In mid-2021, the beverage production facility was destroyed by fire. This began a two-and-a-half-year period during which a new production facility was built with an investment of US$30 million. During this time, drinks such as Coca-Cola had to be imported from the region. At the end of 2023, the bottling of Fernandes and Coca-Cola soft drinks resumed. The official opening was performed by President Santokhi on March 26, 2024. Today, Fernandes Group is one of the largest privately owned companies in Suriname and plays a leading role in many sectors of the Surinamese economy. It is the market leader in non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages through its Coca-Cola franchise, in the food division with locally produced Fernandes bread, pastry, snacks, and ice cream, and in the automotive sector, where it represents Isuzu, Volkswagen, Honda, and Subaru. Through its distribution company, it represents international brands such as Enfamil, Grace, Albert Heijn, El Dorado Rum, Freixenet, Fernandes Gouda Cheese, and Agio, as well as local brands Interfood and Sishado. It is also active in the hardware and home improvement division with brands such as Makita, Reginox, and Astra. In 2014, Fernandes Group started Fernandes Guyana Enterprise to export bakery and ice cream products to Guyana. Recently, it entered a new industry with specialized industrial services for oil, gas, and mining companies in Suriname, offering products and services including SKF bearings, Continental conveyor belts, Lincoln lubricants, and Liebherr components.

• 2024

  New production facility officially opened by President Santokhi on March 26.

• 2023

  Bottling of Fernandes and Coca-Cola soft drinks resumes after reconstruction.

• 2021

  Beverage production facility destroyed by fire; reconstruction begins.

• 2020

  VSB Covid-19 Support Fund co-founded, raising €170,000 for Suriname's healthcare sector.

• 2014

  Fernandes Guyana Enterprise established to export bakery and ice cream products to Guyana.

• 1995

  Production department temporarily closed due to hygiene issues; transition to plastic bottles made.

• 1992

  Distribution rights for the Netherlands obtained, enabling sales of Fernandes soft drinks in Dutch stores.

• 1988

  René and Jack Fernandes take over the company after Jule Fernandes's death.

• 1938

  Jule Fernandes acquires the Coca-Cola franchise for Suriname, marking a major expansion.

• 1910

  Isaak Fernandes opens a small novelty store in Paramaribo, founding the business.

Suriname's leading privately owned conglomerate with a diversified portfolio and market leadership in beverages, food, automotive, and industrial services.

• Fernandes soft drinks

  Nine flavors: Cherry Bouquet, Green Punch, Super Pineapple, Red Grape, Purple Sensation, Cream Ginger, Guaraná, Sparkling Coco, Markoessa (lime).

• Coca-Cola (bottled under franchise)

  Non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages produced under Coca-Cola franchise for Suriname.

• Fernandes bakery products

  Locally produced bread, pastry, snacks, and ice cream.

• Automotive vehicles

  Representing Isuzu, Volkswagen, Honda, and Subaru.

• Distributed international brands

  Enfamil, Grace, Albert Heijn, El Dorado Rum, Freixenet, Fernandes Gouda Cheese, Agio, Interfood, Sishado.

• Hardware and home improvement brands

  Makita, Reginox, Astra.

• Industrial products and services

  SKF bearings, Continental conveyor belts, Lincoln lubricants, Liebherr components for oil, gas, and mining.

1. 1FernandesGroup Official Websitefernandes.sr
2. 2Fernandes Group - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Fernandes Group - Dutch Wikipedianl.wikipedia.org