Companies are living organisations. They evolve and adapt to changes in markets, business needs and the responsibilities of those leading them. As a result, they may also need to change their structure to continue operating as efficiently as possible.
Rubén Lara’s career is a good example of how a business project can evolve over time. He has worked in international trade for 25 years. His career took him to China, where he worked across different industries and developed his expertise as a buyer.
After returning to Spain and specialising in the food sector, he joined a seafood import project in Europe in 2023. The initiative was promoted by a Taiwanese group.
During A Media Sesión on Radio Intereconomía, Rubén spoke with Ángeles Lozano about this process. He explained how the business has adapted to the needs of each stage.
Today, that evolution continues through Universal Commerce Organization (UCO), the structure from which the next phase of the project is being developed.
A structure that evolves with the business
Rubén uses a very visual analogy to describe the journey since 2023: “The tree started out in a small pot and needed progressively larger ones as it grew. Now we have changed pots again, and UCO is the new proposal, the next link in the chain from which to continue developing the business”.
The comparison reflects a common reality for many companies. A structure that works well at one stage may no longer be suitable when the size, objectives or circumstances of the business change.
For this reason, periodically reviewing how an activity is organised can be just as important as defining the commercial strategy or identifying new opportunities.
As Rubén explains: “The market is not fixed, static or linear. Regardless of your position within a company, you must adapt. If you are the owner, even more so. You must adapt the structure”.
Since 2023, the project has operated through different business structures before the incorporation of UCO in 2026.
This does not mean starting again from scratch. Instead, the structure has been adapted to each new stage of the business.
Rubén himself describes UCO as another step in that journey: “It is a link. One link in a chain that started in 2023, with new links added as the chain needed to become stronger. And this is the current link”.
From executive to business owner: decision-making changes too
The evolution does not only affect the corporate structure. The role of the person leading the project also changes.
Rubén explains that taking on different business responsibilities fundamentally changes the way decisions are made: “The decisions you make as an executive are not the same as those you make as a manager or as an owner”.
Once again, he uses an analogy to describe this transformation:
“When you move into management, you also become responsible for maintaining the car, not just driving it. When you become the owner, you have to set the GPS so that everyone knows where to drive”.
As business responsibility increases, knowing the product, customers and market is no longer enough.
Decisions must also be made about the corporate structure, taxation, accounting, employment matters and the organisation of the business itself.
This is where having a comprehensive view of the company becomes especially important. Having a specialist team such as LEIALTA alongside the business can make that process easier to manage.
LEIALTA’s support throughout the different stages
LEIALTA has supported Rubén’s business project since 2023.
Different needs have emerged throughout this period depending on the stage of the project. These have included company incorporations and closures, corporate matters and ongoing accounting, tax and labour management.
There was also an additional complexity.
The project was international from the outset. It was initially promoted by a Taiwanese group and developed in Spain, bringing together two very different business cultures: Asian and Spanish.
Each has its own way of working, making decisions and approaching risk.
During these years, LEIALTA has supported the development of the activity in Spain from a comprehensive perspective. This has included corporate structuring, company incorporations and closures, taxation, accounting, labour management and ongoing business advice.
LEIALTA also brings experience supporting companies from more than 100 countries with their operations in Spain. This includes many businesses from Asian markets, such as Chinese and Japanese companies.
In Rubén’s own words: “They have acted as business translators between one side and the other”.
When Ángeles Lozano asks what it means to have the same team alongside the business throughout this journey, Rubén answers: “Security. It gives you confidence and peace of mind. You know that the team you work with understands where you need to go. They know your company, your history and the group itself”.
He uses another metaphor to describe his relationship with LEIALTA: “With LEIALTA, I feel like I have a good co-driver. They know which road we are on and where the business needs to go”.
UCO, the next link in the project
Universal Commerce Organization currently represents the next stage of this business journey.
The company forms part of an international operation linked to the seafood sector and works with partners in Taiwan.
Universal Commerce Organization, UCO, develops the commercial side of the business in Europe. It connects this international activity with distributors and processing plants, which subsequently supply customers including restaurants and supermarkets.
The project is therefore an example of how a business can connect suppliers, partners and customers across different markets.
At the same time, it requires a solid structure from which to operate in Spain and across Europe.
Rubén is clear that the current structure does not necessarily represent the end of the journey: “UCO will continue to grow, adding more links and greater scope while maintaining and providing stability to the business”.
The objective now is to continue developing the project, consolidate the company and strengthen its presence in the European market.
As Rubén explains: “The direction is towards greater market stability, greater stability for the company and continued growth, as we have seen since 2023. We want to get closer to European customers and become that control tower for clients and suppliers, facilitating access to raw materials”.
At LEIALTA, we support business owners and corporate groups precisely during these periods of growth and change.
We coordinate the corporate, tax, accounting and labour implications so that the structure can evolve at the same pace as the business.
Every stage of a company’s development may require different decisions. If you need to review, reorganise or adapt your company’s operations, LEIALTA can support you throughout the process. Contact us!
