Takis Brings Barcel the Nielesen 2014 US Innovation Award

Barcel USA, a subsidiary of Mexico City-based Grupo Bimbo, is a recipient of the Nielsen’s 2014 US Breakthrough Innovation Award for its Takis snack line.

This an award only given to 14 companies across all consumer categories, out of over 17,000 new products analyzed, the company recently announced.

While consumer product companies launch thousands of new product lines every year, only a selected few achieve game-changing success in innovation, which Nielsen acknowledges. 

“Since our Takis Fuego was first introduced in the United States in 2006, the snack has exploded in popularity, especially among teenagers,” said Rubén Herrera, vice president of Barcel USA. 

“Although the product was initially launched in the U.S. for the growing Hispanic market, teens of all ethnicities have been captivated by the innovative shape and unique flavour of Takis. We are proud to receive this prestigious award, and we will continue to seek ways to innovate and lead this new category segment –rolled corn tortilla chips.”

Currently, Takis has five line flavours including Fuego, Fajitas, Nitro, Guacamole, Salsa Brava and a limited edition flavor Xtra Hot. Also, Barcel USA has other exciting lines of products, including Barcel Potato Chips and Speedsters, another well-rounded concept with distinctive flavour within its popular portfolio of salty snacks and peanuts.

In winning the U.S. Breakthrough Innovation Award, Barcel USA demonstrated high marks in Nielsen’s three main requirements: distinctiveness, relevance and endurance. In the case of Takis, Barcel USA has had a double-digit growth year after year.

Because of the tremendous success of the Takis brand, Barcel USA opened a production facility in Coppell, Texas in 2012 to accommodate the increased U.S. demand. Distributed in major metropolitan areas, Takis continues to grow and expand across other areas in the United States.

“There’s nothing that comes close to Takis on the market today,” said Herrera. “Our innovative and intense flavours combined with our authentic history make Takis truly a one-of-a-kind chip in the marketplace.”