Interview with Jorge Cuartero, CEO of Anmopyc
December 13, 2010
I suppose that it is still early to give figures, but could take us stock of what has given it this year in terms of sales of construction machinery, public works and mining?
Indeed, we have not closed the year still, for what it is difficult to make assessments. Although we can not quantify the fall of sales in our sector, yes we can provide for a significant drop, which must be added that of 2009, which was around 40% in regards to billing. This leaves us in a very delicate situation for the future.
And in this context, do you think successful initiatives taken to 2011 the Government and the various administrations in the field of public works and construction?
Matching measures in a very complicated situation is quite difficult. Anyway, I think that the cut in infrastructure will not benefit at all to the situation of the Spanish companies.
Then does not believe that the situation for these sectors will improve over the next year, right?
It is highly unlikely. Investment in public works will be scarce and the situation of non-residential and residential construction is very bad. Not expected improvement in the short term, so everything does indicate that we are several years in a situation similar to the present.
It seems that a viable alternative until that does not improve the sector in our country is opening up to other markets. What can say on the matter?
The bet for the export now makes more sense than ever. From Anmopyc we want to encourage all Spanish companies to market their products abroad. It is not an easy task, but we believe that diversifying markets are minimized risks, which helps to overcome situations like the present.
Currently, there are interesting markets with good prospects for growth as Brazil, Chile, Panama, Algeria, Libya and some countries of Eastern Europe.
The ' Made in Spain' is competitive
Spanish machinery is noted for "its high quality and competitive price", which allows you to be present in markets as demanding and difficult as Germany, France, United Kingdom, United States or the own Spain.
"The customer service and responsiveness to problems makes the Spanish teams of this sector to compete directly with German, American and Japanese teams", says Cuartero.
Has the crisis led an increase in the purchase of second-hand equipment?
No, the halt has been total. There is no any subsector showing positive figures in new equipment or used or in rent.
Then, you can either tell us what equipment or type of machinery is the respondent now...
Therefore not. Currently, the domestic market demand not machinery of any kind. The situation is very worrying because there is no sub-sector of activity that does not record alarming declines in their sales. In addition, should take into account that alquiladoras of machinery companies have a large number of stops machines, which is why sales teams become even more complicated.
You are in direct contact with companies in the sector and know first hand their needs. What is the main concern of Anmopyc partners?
Unfortunately, the concern of many of the companies in this country is to know how long we will stay in this situation and how much can endure if the current situation continues.
How to think from the Association which can deal with this problem?
In our case still insist that the best way to deal with the reality that we live is the bet for export. Construction in Spain equipment sales are dropping drastically, and only companies that have opted for export will be able to solve the crisis with less difficulty. Every year Anmopyc works in the elaboration of the sectoral plan, together with the Spanish Institute of foreign trade (Icex) where we most interesting destination countries for our companies, as well as the presence in the most important fairs in the international arena.
Our companies have already opted for the diversification of markets and have achieved excellent results. So much so that Anmopyc already has partners that sell more abroad than in Spain.
And also opt for export, what you must do a manufacturer of machinery to survive in the sector?
To combat the crisis and remain strong in the global market we must be aware of the need to innovate. Innovate with new and more creative products and services; innovate to seek alternative means of funding; innovate searching for new sectors and countries to compensate for the eventual fall of domestic demand; innovate with agreements and strategic alliances; innovate in our own structures and processes to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
Trends
Manufacturers are still trying to get machines more secure and more respectful with the health of workers and the environment. So says Cuartero. To this end, they are based "on the implementation of the electronics, the emergence of new materials and new techniques of calculation, design and simulation".
On the other hand, it's take greater advantage of the possibilities that you can offer the incorporation of ICT in the machinery, thereby facilitating management of fleets, the telemantienimiento or the improvement of benefits tasks. This, argues Anmopyc Manager, lets take the first steps for future developments as the teleoperation of machines, which will need to develop technologies to unfold and máquina-entorno used the sensing of the elements of machines and communicationexplains.
It also highlights the efforts being made in experimental research to develop new concepts for machines to carry out radical innovations in the current techniques used in the construction.
