The challenge for the family business is to maintain itself over time, incorporating new generations and adding value to the environment. This year, with more than 60 employees in a town like A Pontenova, they expect to close the year with a turnover of more than 15 million and with clients in more than 12 countries, both in the European Union and South America.
Why have you decided to bet on Mindtech in its third edition in 2023?
We have been committed to Mindtech since the first edition. Our markets are basically sectorial, and one way of looking for new market niches in Galicia and Northern Portugal is the industrial fair organised by Asime. During these editions, we have gained new opportunities in other sectors that need tailor-made solutions, and it has been a meeting point with suppliers and customers.
What is the added value for your company when participating in this fair?
Tailor-made fastening solutions, in an agile and flexible way, with the necessary engineering input. We have gone from making made-to-measure parts, according to the customer’s requirements, to working hand in hand with the customer on the optimum solution in terms of cost and performance. On the other hand, we do the whole process for both long and short series. From die design, manufacturing, surface treatment (zinc plating, zinc nickel plating and lacquering), customised packaging and logistics.
What innovations will you present at Mindtech 2023?
We have developed innovative solutions mainly for the construction sector. As Mindtech is a generalist trade fair, we will focus on the process improvements we have achieved. Investments in automation and robotisation have made us more competitive. On the other hand, we have new surface treatments that we will present at the fair.
How are you facing the recovery/reactivation in the current context of lack of raw materials, rising costs of supplies and energy, etc.?
This year has been particularly convulsive and uncertain, and everything indicates that it will continue to be like this. The only solution we see is to be aware of all the changes and try to react in time, both in terms of stock control and resource management. This problem affects all companies in Europe, the most dangerous competition is Asia, as they have different rules of the game. To defend ourselves against this competition, we will do what we have always done, innovate, guarantee the good quality of our product and automate as much as possible. What we have been doing all our lives.
What do you think is the differential value of the metal industry and its associated technologies in the Iberian Pole in particular?
The metal sector reaches many markets, markets as competitive and innovative in terms of processes as the automotive industry. This offers us tools and technologies that allow us to be increasingly efficient.
On the downside, the producers of raw materials are very affected by high energy costs and are quick to pass them on to the market. There are few suppliers, especially at European level. The bargaining power with them is nil, and yet, to our customers, we cannot raise prices as we should, which means a corresponding loss of margin. We have seen this in the post-pandemic era.
In the Iberian Peninsula I personally believe there is a very competitive metal sector, and if, as it seems, there is a commitment to recover manufacturing capacity in Europe, we will have opportunities. There is undoubtedly much room for improvement in terms of automation, staff training, especially for young people, the near disappearance of trades such as lathe operators and milling machines… and all the usual problems that are discussed in the sector’s forums.