Interview I Ángel González, head of cold rooms at CASI “Before I started CASI I did not know about agriculture and now I love it”

He hits all the sticks. From agriculture to sports, through the service industry, or whatever they throw at it. Although he could not even imagine when he started working in the world, agriculture has ceased to be a source of livelihood. Ángel, 45, has spent half his life at CASI, a company where he gives his best and is responsible for cold rooms so that the product reaches the end consumer in the best possible condition.

How does it begin in this world?

I got into CASI in 1999 at the age of 21 after trying various things. He had a few jobs that he was meticulous about, but not a steady job. I had just dropped out of school and my future was uncertain, so I worked at a friend’s cafeteria (Alcazaba, today one of the most important in Almería), was a water lifeguard in the summer, and also collaborated as a sports trainer… But I missed that permanent job I wanted to have and it almost gave me gave this opportunity. Before I started working here, I had no idea how big and important agriculture is for our province and now I understand it, I love it and I am proud to be a member of the great CASI family for over 75 years. History.

– Located in one of the most important companies in the sector.

–CASI provides me with a way of life, a job, a path to self-realization and growth at work. I was lucky, I admit, but with perseverance, effort, and surrounded by great managers and colleagues, I was able to learn and succeed. I continue to do this today, trying to develop and grow as much as possible with my company.

– What does your day consist of?

– It changes with the seasons, I do a little bit of everything, I’m there for whatever the company asks of me, because thankfully I’ve held various positions and have no problem fulfilling any task. My main function is to receive information about palletized products requested by various domestic and foreign buyers who need cold service to maintain the chain, so that the product arrives in the best conditions for consumption and taste. In turn, I check all these goods and the overall operation of the cameras and temperatures so that the loads are checked and nothing is left behind.

“CASI gives me a livelihood, a job, a path to self-realization and professional growth every day”

–Even though his job is not in the field but in the warehouse, he eventually learns all about the species he works for, in this case the tomato.

-Sure, of course. Over time, in addition to meeting farmers and company partners, I got to know our most commercial product, the tomato, a little better. We have an infinite number of varieties and an increasing number of packaging formats. At CASI, we strive to provide the consumer with all comforts and forms, adapting to the maximum in measurements and others. It costs a lot of money, a lot of manpower and time, but we are clear that you will either modernize or die. Returning to the varieties, I can highlight the more innovative ones such as pear, cherry, daniela, our smooth and of course our delicious ribbed tomato (Rack), pink, black, ox. with their own categories depending on size, color and maturity.

-Which would you recommend for this end of the year?

I can’t tell you, it depends on what it’s for. For example, for a good gazpacho, first of all, pears or pink tomatoes and, of course, ripe; to eat alone, a delizia or a cherry from the Raf; plain or black for salad; and a daniela for toast. Fortunately, we are very diverse, and Almería is a luxury to taste Mediterranean dishes, where the tomato is the cornerstone. I think I gave you good advice.

–There will be stressful moments throughout the campaign, I guess now that it’s going on, there will be stressful days.

–The most complex moments are gender entry peaks, which normally occur on specific dates from January to April. But we are very used to it and we are doing it with effort and determination. However, the most difficult thing is when the prices paid to our farmers are not reasonable due to meteorological, political, supply/demand reasons. They are the real engine of the company, if they are not good, no one can. Our farmers are our true bosses and we trust them and of course the customers who buy our products.

– A complicated year with cost overruns, drought, energy prices…

–This year, I am not an expert personally, I see that external factors are effective. To all of what you have listed we must add the extreme heat that it usually continues to do at this time of year when it is already cold. But hey, I hope it will be a good campaign like last year, it will be beneficial for both us and our city. We are many people living in Almeria and dependent on agriculture, this is Almería’s great economic engine and that’s what we at CASI are working towards.