Every great company has a story, and for Prática, the path to becoming a leading manufacturer of kitchen and bakery equipment began long before its official founding. The company’s roots are intertwined with the family’s entrepreneurial spirit and a series of lessons learned through successes and failures. This is the inspiring story of André and Luiz Eduardo Rezende, brothers who turned dreams into reality, and along the way, taught us valuable lessons about entrepreneurship, resilience, and innovation.
The Seeds of Entrepreneurship: The Family Legacy
André and Luiz Eduardo were exposed to entrepreneurship from an early age, thanks to their father, Mr. Rezende, a visionary businessman. Growing up in an environment where dreams were not only encouraged but actively pursued, the brothers witnessed firsthand the power of an entrepreneurial mindset. Mr. Rezende would share his ideas over family dinners, and soon enough, they would turn into reality—a building, a plantation, or a new business venture.
Early Career Lessons: From Corporate Roles to First Ventures
André, an engineer by training, began his career at Engesa, a prominent Brazilian military vehicle manufacturer in the 1980s. Despite the company’s size and success, André witnessed its decline, learning that even large companies could falter. Afterward, he ventured into his first business with his father—an export company—which, while ambitious, ultimately failed due to a lack of operational expertise.
Trial and Error: The Family's Retail Experiment
The brothers’ first major business venture as a family was a complex retail operation—a combination of a bakery, fast-food restaurant, and sporting goods store. While the idea was innovative, the business struggled due to its complexity and the challenges of running multiple operations. Moreover, Brazil’s hyperinflation in the late 1980s made managing costs nearly impossible. The business ultimately failed, forcing the family to sell everything, including the land.
The Turning Point: The Humble Beginnings of Prática
After the failure of the retail business, André and Luiz Eduardo each pursued different paths. André began experimenting with manufacturing, starting with steel window and door frames. But the business wasn’t profitable, as it relied on high volumes with low margins—essentially a commodity product.
It wasn’t until a moment of reflection—recalling the bakery’s high electricity bills—that André saw an opportunity. Using the few machines leftover from previous ventures, he developed a more energy-efficient oven. This innovation became the foundation of Prática. The brothers’ hard work and persistence paid off, as they created a product that was both productive and energy-efficient, meeting the needs of bakeries and restaurants.
From Bakers to Chefs: Expanding the Vision
Initially, Prática focused on creating ovens for bakeries. However, a customer’s request to adapt the oven for use in restaurants revealed a new opportunity. Recognizing the growth potential in the restaurant industry, the brothers quickly pivoted. They developed a simple yet powerful product that could replace expensive imported ovens at a lower cost, without compromising on quality.
This shift not only expanded Prática’s market but also positioned the company at the forefront of two significant trends: the rise of eating out and the demand for energy-efficient equipment.
The Power of Partnership: The Brothers Reunite
Luiz Eduardo, who had moved to Belo Horizonte and built a career in engineering, reconnected with André just as Prática was gaining momentum. While André had developed a strong product, the company’s operations needed structure. Luiz Eduardo brought his industrial and engineering experience to the table, helping to formalize the company’s processes and setting the stage for further growth.
Together, the brothers combined their strengths—André’s innovation and entrepreneurial spirit with Luiz Eduardo’s operational expertise—to scale Prática into the company it is today.
Where Prática Stands Today
Founded in 1991, Prática has become a leader in the food preparation industry, offering a diverse range of innovative solutions, including an extensive lineup of speed ovens. With a workforce of over 600 employees, including 55 dedicated to Research & Development, the company operates from its state-of-the-art 250,000 sq. ft. facility in Minas Gerais, Brazil, where it holds a prominent market position. Prática’s influence extends beyond Brazil, with established branches in the United States and Chile, each providing full support for sales, service, parts, and customer care. The company’s products are exported to over 50 countries, reinforcing its strong global presence.
Prática’s products are trusted by businesses of all sizes, from small bistros to large supermarket chains. Despite its growth and success, the company remains true to the principles that guided its early days: innovation, energy efficiency, and solving real-world problems for its customers.
Recognizing the vital role we play in the food supply chain—from farm to table—Prática is committed to helping businesses deliver high-quality meals efficiently and sustainably. Our advanced technology, combined with integrated product solutions and robust support networks, enables our customers to improve their operations in food preparation, enhance productivity, and increase profitability.
Driven by a dedicated team and guided by core values, Prática is steadily advancing towards a more prominent position in the global marketplace.
With a clear focus on well-being, productivity, and sustainability, Prática’s mission is to ensure quality food without waste, contributing to a healthier, more efficient future for the food service industry.
The Prática Mindset
The story of Prática is more than just a tale of business success—it’s a masterclass in entrepreneurship. André and Luiz Eduardo’s journey highlights the importance of resilience, learning from failure, and staying open to new opportunities. From their father’s influence to their own trials and triumphs, the Rezende brothers exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit that continues to drive Prática’s growth today.
In the United States: Prática High Speed Ovens
In the U.S., Prática is focused on providing top-quality high-speed ovens to businesses across the country. We offer comprehensive sales and service coverage in all 50 states, ensuring our customers receive the support they need wherever they are. Our line of high-speed ovens is designed to meet the diverse needs of the foodservice industry, from small cafes to large-scale operations.
Our U.S. office and warehouse, located in Lewisville, TX, serve as the hub for distribution, where our ovens are shipped from to destinations nationwide. This strategic location enables us to deliver products efficiently and maintain exceptional service levels for our growing customer base.
Commercial smart ventless rapid ovens
12″ chamber
Best for: Fresh, or refrigerated food items.
Perfect for: sub sandwiches, paninis, and more.
Available color: silver.
Sources of heat: impinged air (high-speed air blast), and microwaves.
Learn more about the FIT EXPRESS SM High-speed commercial oven here.
12″ chamber
Frozen, fresh, or refrigerated food items.
Perfect for: sub sandwiches, chicken wings, paninis, breakfast sandwiches, and more.
Available in two different colors: burnt orange and black.
Sources of heat: impinged air (high-speed air blast), and microwaves.
Learn more about the FIT EXPRESS High-speed commercial oven here.
14″ chamber
Ideal for larger demands.
Frozen, fresh, or refrigerated food items.
Perfect for: sub sandwiches, chicken wings, paninis, breakfast sandwiches, and more.
Sources of heat: microwave, impinged air (high-speed air blast), and the IR element.
Learn more about ROCKET EXPRESS High-speed commercial oven here.
16″ chamber
Best for: Fresh, or refrigerated food items.
Perfect for: Pizzas, Flatbreads, Cookies, and more.
Sources of heat: impinged air (high-speed air blast), and infrared radiation.
Available options: single and double. The double is a stacked version of the single one, each chamber operates individually.
Learn more about the FORZA STi High-speed commercial oven here.
What is the best high-speed oven for my business?
Ideal for quick service sites, Prática’s commercial high-speed ovens ensure you get the finish you want at ultra-fast speeds, without compromising taste or texture.
Check out all our high-speed ovens models by clicking here.
Contact us and find the right commercial high-speed oven for your business!
Contact us! Test your own products.
Schedule a demo session and test your products. Get in touch with us today and let’s embark on a culinary adventure that’ll leave your customers craving more. It’s time to take your establishment to the next level – we’ve got your back! E-mail [email protected] or phone +1 214-584-6269
