“The public work throws of the economy; if this works, works the country”
Interview with José Antonio Vicente, director of Feria de Zaragoza
May 11, 2011
Some sub-sectors have fallen 60, 70 and up to 80%. Everyone was aware of the situation, but no one expected this. It has been a terrible, terrifying thud...
And this will affect the development of the fair...
Yes, but less than we expected. We are pleased that the visitor has responded. We have surpassed the 1,250 exhibitors, who have held 300,000 square metres, i.e. nine halls covered that you have the fair and a good part of the outer zone, which includes a significant area of demonstrations.
It is not bad.
No. In addition, there has been movement, important companies have not missed your appointment with Smopyc. Initiatives like this show that we have a sector with many life.
And what you think they think companies that have opted for the fair?
Exhibitors comment that his presence here, which helped them to promote themselves and present their new products has been very satisfactory. This is also one of our main objectives: that the client is as happy as possible, irrespective of whether the economic times is better or worse.
And in this context, I guess that it will have been well received the fact that the Organization has been reduced by 43% the cost of participation?
As I said, one of the subsectors present here has fallen by up to 80%. Us not can look the other way, because we are a vehicle, we are a business platform for the companies exhibiting in this show. This decision has provided for Smopyc has remained, despite the crisis in the sector, in a few very important levels.
Even so, the fair has not matched the numbers of other years...
No, of course. It is true that this year Smopyc has received fewer visitors than in other editions, but I would like to stress that the profile of these is up to the professional pure and hard, which is decision of purchase within the company. In this issue, anyone who has come here is because you have a project between hands and enquiring or wants to compare something or needs to speak with a provider or change of supplier.
What can you tell us about that visitor profile?
It is up to construction companies, suppliers of these, alquiladores of machinery, companies that exploit some kind of quarry, central concrete or asphalt plant, and distributors and representatives of firms, giving after-sales service to certain types of equipment of a specific geographical area.
And as for the position it within the organization...
In particular, managers and managers. We can also find technical charges, which, in any case, are responsible to prescribe the most appropriate equipment for a work, an exploitation or a particular use. Smopyc approaching people with capacity of decision, which, at the end and all, are which are of interest to the exhibiting companies.
By what has been seen at the fair, is how they face companies this widespread crisis situation?
The firms have adapted to the circumstances and have undertaken the transformations and the reductions needed to survive in its sector. It is true that there are companies that have disappeared, companies that have merged or, even, they have changed their activity, but which have stood ready to deal with a crisis situation because, in fact, more than two years living in their flesh. They are aware of the low investment in public works authorities and that the process of recovery will be slow.
How slow?
There is a great confidence abroad, as the Spanish product is very good and competitive in other countries. Much of our companies are being opened to other markets, so that they can achieve the necessary figures for the maintenance of its activity. In fair of Zaragoza are aware of the importance of opening to the outside world, for this reason, this year we have invited a large group of buyers from international, as well as those who have come to the fair on its own initiative.
And what to do to resist a company that has already cut all the cutout?
Adapt to what is today the public work: a small, competitive sector with low funding capacity. What can be done? I believe that the Spanish company has been able to invest in r & d so that, today, it is competitive abroad and in our own country. Traditionally, in Spain did not accommodate the low quality product. The demand of the user's equipment and machinery of this sector has always demanded quality. We are at a good level.
And this we get rid of the crisis?
I hope Yes. In any case, the future will be for the better. The sector dates, slowly, but dates. In 2014 we will live a phase of moderate growth. This time we look back and see this desert which we are going through as something distant. Public works is a leading industry and, in addition, one of the sectors pulling the economy, with a very important impact on the reduction of unemployment. One of the vectors to a country, an economy out of the crisis is through investment in public works and construction of a moderate and reasonable way. If this sector work, work many others dependent to some extent of it.
