A company from Córdoba managed to enhance a traditional dish and sell its invention in America, Europe, and the Middle East
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Franco Baliosian had a clear goal: to optimize milanesa production with his own technology and from Córdoba. With a background in mechanical engineering, he designed a machine that automates every step, from slicing to breading. This is how Balcami was born, a company that now sells about 200 units per month in the country and abroad.
His first prototype was a concrete response to a real problem: a shopkeeper needed to improve production times without sacrificing product quality. Baliosian devised a solution that tripled production and reduced costs, without compromising flavor. "With our technology, a poultry shop that used to produce 20 kilograms (44 pounds) per hour can now make 60 kilograms (132 pounds) with lower costs and better flavor," he explained.
The impact was immediate, and expansion soon followed: his machines are present in markets as diverse as Brazil, Israel, Spain, and Kuwait. Argentina's flagship gastronomic product began to be industrialized in an accessible way thanks to local innovation. Today, Balcami represents a successful model of how a national development can scale globally.
Actualmente, sus máquinas se exportan a Brasil, Israel, España o Kuwait.
An invention that improves the dish most beloved by Argentinians
Behind the growth is a story of effort: Franco started out alone, with just enough money to cover one month's rent and a strong desire to innovate. The company's name is a tribute to the family jersey factory that closed in the 1980s, but left a mark on his industrial vocation. "I wanted to revive my grandfather's story and convey something of that industrial tradition," he confessed.
The machines he manufactures pay for themselves in just two months, making them a profitable and attractive tool for businesses of all sizes. In addition to streamlining the process, they raise the quality of the final product and enable more consistent production. "From Córdoba to the world, I never imagined that milanesa machines would travel so far," he said proudly.
Balcami is much more than a company: it is an example of how an idea, applied with ingenuity and hard work, can turn a tradition into an opportunity. The milanesa, that classic dish that brings Argentinians together at the table, is now also a symbol of export. Thanks to this development, an everyday Argentine meal has also become an industrial ambassador.
