Grupo Poma
| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Conglomerate |
| Founded | 1919 |
| Headquarters | San Salvador, El Salvador |
Key people | Fernando Poma (President) |
| Products | Automotive, Real estate, Hotels, Telecommunications |
| Divisions | Excel Automotriz, Grupo Roble, Real Hotels & Resorts, Grupo Solaire, Autofácil, Multiplaza |
| Website | grupopoma |
Grupo Poma is a family-owned conglomerate based in El Salvador. It is considered one of the 50 largest companies in the Central American region.[1] The group is currently led by Fernando Poma.[2] Its business activities include automobile dealerships, real estate development, industrial manufacturing, and hotels, as well as investments in telecommunications and various non-profit organizations.[3]
History
Early years
The company was founded in 1915 by Bartolomé Poma, a Spanish entrepreneur who arrived in El Salvador and established an automotive transport company. By 1918, he obtained the representation for Hudson and Essex vehicles. Despite a major fire in the company's early years, it rebuilt a new garage in 1920.[3]
The firm survived significant challenges, including the Great Depression and World War II, the latter of which forced a temporary closure in 1943 due to a lack of imported vehicles. Over the following decades, the group diversified into the hotel and real estate sectors.[3]
The group also developed internal capabilities in financing and risk management through its Autofácil division, which provides automotive credit in markets with low banking penetration across the region.[4]
Consolidation and present day
Currently, Grupo Poma operates in nine countries across the Americas.[3][5] In 2025, Fernando Poma assumed the presidency of the conglomerate.[6]
Group divisions
The conglomerate is organized into six primary divisions:
- Excel Automotriz: The largest automotive distributor in Central America, representing brands such as Toyota, BMW, Mitsubishi, and Chevrolet.[7]
- Grupo Roble: Dedicated to the construction and management of shopping centers and office spaces.
- Real Hotels & Resorts: Operates chains including InterContinental, Marriott, and Choice Hotels.
- Grupo Solaire: Focuses on industrial manufacturing of architectural aluminum and glass.
- Autofácil: The financial division specialized in automotive loans.
- Multiplaza: A chain of high-end shopping malls with operations in El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Costa Rica, and Colombia.[8]
Philanthropy
The group supports social initiatives through several organizations, including the Fundación Poma, the Escuela Superior de Economía y Negocios (ESEN), and the Fundación Renacer, which focuses on helping youth in the foster care system transition to professional life.[9]
References
- ^ "De las 50 empresas centroamericanas: Grupo Poma". Forbes (in Spanish). March 23, 2025.
- ^ "Fernando Poma asume presidencia de Grupo Poma". El Economista Net (in Spanish). Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "El conglomerado Grupo Poma celebra 100 años de fundación". Diario El Mundo (in Spanish). March 20, 2019.
- ^ "Grupo Poma: Una trayectoria empresarial con valores". Revista Estrategia y Negocios (in Spanish).
- ^ "Cuatro salvadoreños entre los 500 más influyentes de América Latina". Bloomberg Línea (in Spanish). September 19, 2022.
- ^ "Grupo Poma celebra 100 años de operación".
- ^ "Empresas Miembro: GRUPO POMA". Centro RS.
- ^ "Grupo Poma incursiona con Multiplaza en negocio de centros comerciales". Diario La República (in Spanish).
- ^ "Fundación Renacer de Fernando Poma, cambia vidas en El Salvador". Pronto (in Spanish).