Meet Silvia Ravetllat, CEO at Ravetllat Aromatics
Today we have the pleasure of interviewing Silvia Ravetllat, CEO and third-generation family member to manage Ravetllat Aromatics.
Silvia has been immersed in the world of fragrances and flavours from a very young age, learning the trade directly from her father, well-known industrialist Ernest Ravetllat.
Here, she shares insights about her family legacy, how the industry has evolved over the years, and the ambitious goals that lie ahead for the company.
Discover her story and what makes Ravetllat Aromatics truly unique!
What has the world of fragrances and flavours meant to the Ravetllat family?
Since I was a little girl, I remember my father had this special obsession with how things smelled. I recall him trying to capture and describe the smell of everyday items such as books, plants and even meals. Over time, I came to understand that this was not just his work, it was his passion.
I also remember my sister and I could tell when my father was home from the scent, he diffused the moment he walked through the door.
I was also deeply fascinated every time he took me to visit the factory and laboratories. It felt like stepping into an alchemist’s lab. There were handwritten formulas jotted all over little notebooks, and long shelves packed with an endless amount of tiny bottles containing all sorts of essential oils.
At the time, I was eager to discover each and every smell that was trapped inside those bottles. I found the world of scents incredibly captivating and sometimes overwhelming in its complexity and wealth.
How has the company evolved over the generations?
The evolution of our company is truly fascinating. It all began in 1932 when my grandfather -Josep Ravetllat- started working in Barcelona as an agent for Givaudan.
Years later, my father (Ernesto Ravetllat) teamed up with his brother, Jorge, and achieved the titanic task of transforming distribution business into a fully-fleshed development and manufacturing company under their control.
They faced immense challenges as they had limited resources and at the time, they also had limited access to formulation knowledge. However, their remarkable intuition, determination, and hard work carried them through. They managed to build a stable company with sustained growth that provided much needed jobs. They also fostered long-term partnerships with clients and suppliers that became lifelong friends.
When I joined the business in 1994, I had a single goal in mind: to take the company to the next level by upgrading its systems and infrastructure. One of my first priorities was to computerize our processes, everything from formulation and production to order-generation. This not only increased our production capacity but also made us much more efficient.
Recently, my daughter Andrea -the fourth generation- has joined the business and is continuing this journey of digital transformation, pushing the company to the next level.
Today, Ravetllat Aromatics has world-class production facilities and highly efficient processes. We are known for our adaptability and flexibility, which allows us to continue expanding into new markets and products worldwide.
How has the industry changed over the years?
The fragrances and flavours industry has evolved tremendously in recent decades.
What used to be a highly creative work, centred exclusively around the perfumer´s inspiration and sensory experimentation, has become a deeply technical and heavily regulated field. Technology has completely revolutionized the process of formulation, enabling a level of precision, innovation and speed that was unthinkable in the past.
Today, staying up to date with the latest technology as well as with the ever-evolving regulatory requirements is crucial to staying relevant.
What growth projects are you most excited about for Ravetllat Aromatics?
I am thrilled to see how our company is increasingly successful at gaining share in highly demanding and fast-moving markets globally. We have made great strides in recent years, tackling challenges that once seemed insurmountable, driven by continuous investments in production capacity, research and development technology and highly skilled personnel.
I am proud to see that we are able to grow and evolve while staying true to our essence. Despite fast levels of growth and change over the past years, we have preserved what has made us unique for more than nine decades: flexibility, adaptability, and our unwavering commitment to excellence.
What sets Ravetllat Aromatics apart in the industry?
One of our proudest achievements is creating a distinct style—a brand and a way of working that our clients not only recognize but also deeply value and trust. It’s not just about what we do, it’s about how we do it.
In recent years, we have experienced significant growth, but we have been very intentional about preserving the essential qualities that define our corporate DNA. For us, quality, design, and service are non-negotiable in everything we develop, and that commitment is something our clients truly appreciate.
If Ravetllat Aromatics was a perfume, how would you describe it?
It would be a classic fragrance that tells a story of heritage and evolution—a perfect balance between tradition and modernity. If would have woody and earthy bottom notes, reflecting the depth of our legacy, experience and know-how in the sector.
At the same time, it would have vibrant and fresh top notes, embodying the youthful and dynamic spirit that defines who we are today and that underpins our change trajectory.
As a perfume, Ravetllat Aromatics would be one that unfolds surprising and complex notes over time, always keeping its much-desired long-lasting power.