Interview with Martín Mena, director Manager of representations Martín Mena, S.L.
July 12, 2010
Representations Martín Mena, among other activities, stands out as a specialized manufacturer of street furniture custom-made steel cut could explain us what is Corten steel and what are their uses?
Corten steel is a common steel to which does not affect the corrosion. It is a steel alloy with nickel, chromium, copper and phosphorus which, after a process of wetting and drying alternative forms a very thin film of oxide of rojizo-púrpura appearance.
Corten steel is a steel made with a chemical composition that its oxidation has a few distinguishing features that protect the piece made with this material against atmospheric corrosion without losing virtually their mechanical characteristics.
What are the features that make this peculiar oxidation?
On the surface oxidation of steel cut creates an oxide film impermeable to water and water vapor that prevents the oxidation of steel to continue towards the interior of the piece. This translates into a protective action of surface oxide against atmospheric corrosion, so it is not necessary to apply other protection to steel as a galvanic protection or painted.
The steel type 'cor-Ten A' or Corten steel has a high content of copper, chromium and nickel they get that layer of surface oxide that forms in non stainless steels has some special characteristics. Thus, the film caused by exposure to the atmosphere under normal conditions is particularly dense, highly, adherent, stable and reclaimed (if the surface receives some minor damage to jump to the oxide layer, it regenerates and has just been homogenized) for all these reasonsthe corrosion of steel in normal conditions is interrupted due to the auto-protectora action of the oxide, so protection via electroplating or painting becomes unnecessary.
Do you have any contraindication, or requires some special care?
In general you should avoid form cords or overlaps where water can accumulate their continued presence would prevent the development of the protective film and could become a focus of corrosion. This layer of oxide in reddish color and gives a distinctive color, which makes it one of the materials most used by contemporary artists for the production of works of art and lately for architects who want to innovate and use new materials in your projects.
After extensive testing in our early days, we have managed to develop a treatment to expedite the process of oxidation, as well as our treatment of paralysis of the same. And also to avoid the famous "chorretones", unfortunately too common in many localities. Given the intrusion and evil do some manufacturers (with the consequent discrediting of those who want to do well the things). Apply you to our planters a primer especially in the interior and fund them, to avoid this problem, by refusing to the sale of this product with all of these processes. If it is going to have a public use.
And what are the main advantages of the Corten steel to other materials?
Grosso mode, one of the major contributions of this material, well worked, is that it has a zero maintenance (save costs for the customer) and aesthetically speaking, combined with other materials or just made of steel cut. Fits so different environments from an old town, and a promenade, giving a touch of elegance and distinction. Without being incompatible, and be consistent with traditional materials.
My opinion is that this material is here to stay for a long time in the urban environment of our cities and towns.
Do you manufacture in national territory? It is the steel cut a difficult to manufacture material?
Our company's philosophy is that everything that we produce, distribute and represent, are products manufactured locally and a small percentage French, Belgian, and German. It is not a question of patriotic or sectarian, in this world of globalization. But we believe that given our expertise and our interdisciplinary synergy freelance (which involved engineers, industrial, technical designers, manufacturers, installers and sales network) can compete in responsiveness, customization, and control of production. With the added value of raw materials of high quality peer-reviewed (work with raw materials, such as stainless steel AISI 316, which at the moment there are no Asian production, because its complexity of production not manufactured in these countries) and thus got to all the modest wealthfrom beginning to the process, that we can create, is in our national territory.
One of our keys is that we do not manufacture something standard and then we tried to introduce in the market, but our customers request us your needs and our products are suited to them, although in the case of few units. Always considering the variables: calidad-estética - durability, at the price more economic as possible.
Concerning the second question that I have, is like driving a car, it's easy, when we know driving. The furnishings in steel cut, is delicate, but taking all production processes controlled, becomes methodical and controllable.
You have already participated with this product in some public works is there any that you feel particularly proud or seem you especially conjugation for some reason?
Our specialty is the personalization of urban furniture, each project, each work it is a challenge that we must adapt ourselves to the aesthetic, technical and economic variables posed to us by our client. For this reason, each project, at the end of the supply, has been a source of pride, have managed to overcome the challenge that we raised. But if I had to highlight some, its complication and cosmetic outcome, you highlight the planters of large dimensions to the plaza del ayuntamiento of Lezama, the bollards that we customize for the city of Rota, where we combine first steel cut with stainless steel; the composition of planters, in various dimensions, planters in steel cut, for the municipality of Miajadas, and the comprehensive project for the beautification of the town of Berja (Almería), where we have produced more than seventy planters of large format, in different dimensionsto adapt them to squares and avenues. And how does not highlight paper model Berja. A combination of Corten steel with adorno in stainless steel.
And a macro, that have commissioned us a Valencian locality, which is in our technical department at the moment in the process of study. And that they will have news when it become a reality.
Steel cut, is today same her most requested product? If it is so to do you due? And if there is another product, what is and why you think that this product is most requested?
As I mentioned earlier, it is a product which by its elegance, zero maintenance and its ability to adapt to very different urban environments, I believe that there will be a transient fashion, but that is a product that will be an alternative, which although it will evolve, remain longer in our cities.
Another of their products, I do not know if I should call it Star, are the sources of stainless steel for marine environments very resistant to erosion of air can tell us about them?
3 Source adapted for everyone, that we have been developing over the years, has been the evolution that we have claimed many designers: a source which ensure durability in a very hostile environment, to materials, as they are coastal areas.
And a few weeks ago the first units of the new model, have been installed in the port of Masnou (Barcelona), which is manufactured entirely in stainless steel aisi 316 (recommended for marine environments), which by its robustness meets more than with the existing rules of accessibility of urban furniturewhere not only is thought for people in wheelchairs, but also in people of reduced mobility (the two handles which possesses), children, people of different heights (has two taps at different height). The Jet of water out of top down (is more hygienic and practical). And a question to consider is that it hits the market with a price which, because of their characteristics, is more than attractive.
And besides I can only say them that our technical department is already working on the next generation of these sources, which will open a new conception of the public fuentes-bebedoras.
In addition to his role as manufacturer, your company is defined as a network of commercial freelance. In fact, you yourself, which has a great experience as commercial, has said that he prefers to be called more than seller, Advisor shopping what makes different an advisor of purchases from a vendor?
I have always said that the best seller, is the Advisor of purchases. The important thing is the client. It must be solution to their problems of purchases, even if it means not to make a sale. The goal is to create a loyal customer to place his trust in our company again in the future.
Selling is not only a contract, they must keep track of the entire process: terms of supply, expeditions, technical advice, installation and after-sales service. All of this is delegated to the various departments of my represented companies and conditioned by the trade responsible party. Be delegated commercial officer of my represented companies has great advantages for the buyer in power: best prices, because there are no extra costs in the price of the product, cost structure of the represented company; billing, technical advice and assurances directly from factory.
As a network of commercial freelance, dan service companies that can not assume the costs of promotion and marketing. Could a little detail the types of service they provide to their customers?
Rather than speak of client, is to create such synergy, always based on the full confidence from a manufacturer to our commercial network. Stark, the basic concepts, that would be based is that our manufacturer, will have to take care of everything that goes with the production of a product and logistics, and for our part we take care of all prescribers workpromotional, marketing and trade.
And finally, let's talk about the future, what are the projects that representations Martín Mena will take soon?
I already gave you several tracks. But one of our main goals is to expand our sales network in France. And as for the launch of new products, also in the short term there will be more surprises.
