History of Maquiempanadas

Machines for making empanadas and arepas are already sold industrially in 35 countries. The different ingredients used and the ways in which this product is made in different countries do not take away its essence: the empanada is a universal food. With this idea in mind, in 2011, the then business master's student at the University of Manizales, Emma Eugenia Meza, decided that it was time for empanadas to stop being made in a manual process and start being made industrially.

With the help of his father, a mechanical engineer, and the support of Colciencias, the Emprender fund and Destapa Futuro, he began research to develop a machine that would fulfill this function of producing the typical product of Colombian gastronomy. This is how Maquiempanadas emerged, a company dedicated to the production of equipment to prepare this delicious delicacy, which is becoming an international success.

“It was a slow process and at first it had more acceptance in the international market than in the national one. But we are revolutionizing the typical food market,” says Ema Eugenia Meza, manager of the company. Although the first machines were very sophisticated in their mechanical and technological part - and cost up to $70 million -, after attending, with Pro Colombia, international fairs and investigating the market, the company managed to develop simple-to-use equipment, with a maximum size of 70 centimeters - costing close to $9 million -, which today are in great demand in the country and abroad.

The best-selling equipment is the Multifunctional, which has found buyers in Argentina, Chile and Central American countries, as well as in Florida, United States. This equipment allows you to make not only empanadas industrially but also arepas, cakes, patacones and cocktail products from wheat, corn and cassava flour.

The company began exporting around US$20,000 in 2012 and last year it reached US$300,000. This year the goal is to double this figure, producing nearly 400 machines a year from Manizales, in a factory that generates 15 direct jobs and about 10 indirect jobs. 

Participation in international fairs and business conferences has not only allowed this company to open sales in 12 international markets, where it makes 60% of its sales in units and 80% in value. This earned it the National Export Award. It has also allowed it to innovate and expand its portfolio, which will now include machines that mix flour – corn, cassava or banana – laminators, long onion mincers, meat shredders, which are not available on the market. With immense market potential and new products, Maquiempanadas seeks to revolutionize typical food. And go from hand to machine.