Deloitte, Grupo Promerica, and INCAE Business School have recognized 28 companies as the Best Central American Companies of 2024. The initiative, known as Mejores Empresas Centroamericanas (MECA), has been running since 2021 and aims to support the growth of medium-sized private businesses in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic.
The program focuses on continuous improvement for these companies. According to Pilar Ruiz de Chávez, Partner for Best Companies in Latin America at Deloitte: “Over the four editions of MECA, we have proven that the program’s methodology focused on continuous improvement does work. Today we can validate the growth that companies have achieved during their participation, fulfilling the initiative’s objective and confirming that we are on the right path toward our mission: for medium-sized companies in the region to achieve excellence.”
This year’s edition saw 115 registered companies. Of those, 65 moved forward to a documentation phase where they prepared business cases based on Deloitte’s Value Map methodology. This method analyzes five drivers across 36 dimensions. During this stage, expert coaches from all three organizing institutions provided guidance. In total, 48 organizations completed their business cases and were evaluated by experts who assessed both management practices and financial performance.
Carla Coghi, Managing Partner for Central America and the Dominican Republic at Deloitte stated: “At Deloitte, we firmly believe in the transformative potential of medium-sized enterprises in Central America. Through the Best Central American Companies program, we are committed to driving their growth and sustainability by recognizing their crucial role in economic and social development in the region. Our goal is to provide them with tools and support so they can reach their full potential and continue contributing to our region’s prosperity.”
As a result of this process, 28 organizations from seven countries were selected for distinction. Collectively, these businesses generate more than 7,000 jobs.
Ramiro Ortiz Gurdian, Executive Director of Grupo Promerica said: “The true success of a company is reflected in its ability to innovate, learn and adapt to an ever-changing environment. At Grupo Promerica we believe that the best companies are those committed to continuous self-improvement. That is why we support MECA which promotes business excellence and sustained growth in our region.”
To mark this recognition event for these companies’ leaders took place in San Salvador. The celebration included a symposium led by INCAE Business School focusing on sustainable leadership as well as a workshop by Deloitte experts about leading transformation.
Bernard Kilian, Dean of Faculty and Professor at INCAE Business School commented: “INCAE’s participation in Best Companies of Central America (MECA) demonstrates our commitment to business excellence and regional development. On our 60th anniversary this initiative reflects our purpose to transform lives and promote a strong competitive business ecosystem in Central America. At INCAE we believe recognizing outstanding companies sparks a chain reaction strengthening communities generating jobs contributing toward a sustainable future for all.”
All participating firms receive an integrated confidential diagnostic report identifying strengths—operationally competitively marketing-wise financially—and recommendations for further improvement regardless of whether they receive MECA distinction or not.
Participation involves three free phases conducted via www.mejoresempresasdelatinoamerica.com/MECA/.
Diana Espinoza Leader of Best Central American Companies said: “MECA seeks to raise standards among regional businesses providing not only recognition but also tools so that companies continue growing contributing economically socially environmentally within Central America.”
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