History

MORE THAN 100 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

Pictured: Jacobo D. Kattan, founder (left) and Gabriel Kattan, 2nd generation (right)

A great milestone in Honduras began in 1914 with the arrival of Jacobo David Kattan. His entrepreneurial vision allowed him to recognize the commercial potential of the country’s Northern region. This is how La Sampedrana was founded around the year 1920. The company was dedicated to manufacturing uniforms and textiles for the employees of the banana companies, an industry which was also rapidly developing in Honduras.

After some time, and thanks to the entrepreneurial genius of Jacobo D. Kattan, La Sampedrana evolved into Jacobo D. Kattan Industrial S.A. As it progressed and grew, it started introducing giants of the time such as Royal and Presidente Paz into its portfolio of brands.

Jacobo D. Kattan's vision quickly expanded throughout Central America when he obtained a contract to manufacture and distribute the Van Heusen brand in Honduras in 1965, giving rise to the Van Heusen de Centroamérica S. de R.L.

By 1978, Jacobo D. Kattan reached an alliance with the Cluett Peabody company to manufacture Arrow brand shirts and export them to the American market. Due to this success, the group's first joint investment, Manufactureras Industriales S.A. (MISA), was created in Honduras in 1985.

In 1988, Inmobiliaria Hondureña del Valle S.A. began its construction as the first Trade Free Zone in the country. It was set to open in 1991 with seven buildings and countless milestones for the country, such as the first company of Chinese and Honduran associations called Dragón Maya S.A.

At the turn of the century, the group decided to change its manufacturing sales strategy, acquiring full control of Protexsa in 2002. Throughout the following years, Kattan Group decided to invest in other sectors such as: telecommunications (Apolo S.A. DE C.V., 2003), plastics manufacturing (Plastinova 2008), motorcycle and spare parts distribution (Motoauto, 2012), clean energy generation (Inversa, Hidromos, Beco, 2014) and hydromechanics (IIA Tech, 2014).

1914

Jacobo D. Kattan arrived in Honduras and quickly recognized the need for the industrial production of uniforms.

1920

The “Camisería Sampedrana” is founded in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

1923

The “Camisería Sampedrana” introduced two new brands, Royal and Presidente Paz, and it changed its name to Jacobo D. Kattan and Company. Because of the company’s rapid expansion, Gabriel Kattan and his brothers unify the business to one corporate line. Jacobo D. Kattan and Company was changed to Jacobo D. Kattan Industrial.

1965

Jacobo D. Kattan's vision quickly expanded throughout Central America when he obtained a contract to manufacture and distribute the Van Heusen brand in Honduras, giving rise to Van Heusen de Centroamérica S. de R.L.

1975

Julieta Kattan Salem, together with a group of altruistic women, founded “Fundación Amigos de Guarderías Infantíles y Salas Cunas”, aimed at building and operating centers for feeding, education and childcare in Honduras.

1978

Gabriel Kattan reached an alliance with the Clue5 Peabody company to manufacture Arrow brand shirts and export them to the American market.

1980

Gabriel Kattan’s sons join the family business, bringing new innovaEve ideas to the workforce.

1985

Due to the success obtained by exporEng shirts to the United States, the group started its first joint venture with Cluett Peabody and named the company Manufactureras Industriales S.A. (MISA).

1988

Inmobiliaria Hondureña del Valle S.A. began its construction as the first Trade Free Zone in the country. The company Productos Textiles S.A. de C.V. is created with Philipps Van Heusen.

1991

Inmobiliaria Hondureña del Valle S.A. opened with seven buildings.

1993

The sewing plant Dragon Maya S.A. de C.V., was born due to the partnership between Kattan Group and Foshan Textiles Import & Export Co. It was the first collaboration between a Chinese and a Honduran Company.

2002

Kattan Group decided to change its manufacturing sales strategy, acquiring full control of Protexsa.

2003

Apollo S.A. de C.V. (PRONTO) is founded.

2007

Kattan Group bought Oxford Industries in Tegucigalpa, Honduras and named it Monzini.

2008

Kattan Group and other Honduran shareholders invest in Plastinova Industrial.

2009

Promotora de Desarrollos Inmobiliario (PDI) starts operations.

2012

Motoauto initiated the distribution of motorcycles and parts.

2014

Kattan Group decided to invest in the energy generation industry (Hidromos, Beco, Inversa) and metal transformation industry (IIA Tech).

2018

PDI inaugurated Torres del Valle and Plaza Comercial el Centro in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

2019

PDI inaugurated Plaza Juan Pablo II in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

2020

INHDELVA SPS (The Arena) initiated construction in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.