To start with, could you explain when and how Meco embarked on its internationalisation process? We must first explain that our slotting machine, for the manufacturing of keyways, was developed between 1999 and 2000 for covering our own need for manufacturing keyways for internal consumption in a fast and precise manner, on / INTERVIEW an easy-to-use machine. After testing the prototype, we presented the result at a trade fair in Barcelona and then in 2008 we started a Spanish tour, during which we sold a considerable number of machines. Over those eight years, countries, as these don't necessarily have to coincide with the slotting machine matured, we included a series of those of Spanish clients. Thus, internationalisation allows improvements, innovations, etc. us to see the improvements we can still make to the product. In 2008, we considered that the machine had reached a suffi- This is why I say that exporting doesn’t only entail seeking cient level of maturity for it to be presented abroad. Thus, in clients, but if you exercise humility and you observe, this also March 2008 we attended the Metav trade fair in Düsseldorf, enables you to learn a great deal and incorporate or develop Germany, with a model which included a certain degree of new features within your product. automation and thanks to which we reaped great success. The proof of this is that since 2008 up until now, we have The negative side is that in September of this same year, the evolved a great deal and our current machine has little to do crisis took a turn for the worse. However, these months with the one we presented five years ago at Metav-2008. We were used to improve the product even more. One must take can now confidently state that our machine range, from the into account that Meco attended a German trade fair as an most simple model to the most complex one which already unknown brand and with a slotting machine which was includes a latest generation CNC (global numerical control) completely different from anything which had ever been which allows for executing tasks which only a few years ago seen before. This was not exactly the best possible presen- would have been impossible, despite the mechanical basis tation letter. However, this did not intimidate us at all. The of the machine which is the cornerstone of our system’s fact is that venturing outside opens the doors to a much success still remaining practically the same as in the early larger market. On the other hand, it also enables you to view days. But we didn’t stop there. Specifically for this year’s the offer with which you are aiming to compete and allows edition of the EMO in Hannover, we presented a larger for you to critically analyse your own product. Thanks to model, which synchronises the 3 shafts but also incorpora- which you can then value the machine’s design, the impro- ting the possibility of making helical slots, both on the inside vable aspects, assess the machine’s technological level and and outside of the piece. This machine will also allow us to get to know the sector’s needs depending on the different perform gears, improving the most comprehensive model The manager of Meco explains that “despite presenting an unknown system under an unknown brand, the fact of being Spanish machine-tool provides us with a privileged position thanks to Spanish technology being highly respected”. / 31