"We have the latest technologies for that"
"our customers can improve their quality, efficiency and security"
Interview with José María Almazán, Director of the Department of thermography of Álava Ingenieros
November 4, 2008
Álava Ingenieros is a group of companies of Spanish capital, devoted to the solutions of high technology in the fields of measurement, testing, communications, security and defence. With annual sales of more than 50 million euros, the Group's growth is located about a 15 percent annually on average over the last decade. "This success of Álava Ingenieros is based on his experience of 35 years in the market, their spirit of service to the customer and the high degree of skill of their 160 professionals," says José María Almazán, Director of the Department of thermography of Álava Ingenieros.
With offices in Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon and Zaragoza, the Álava Ingenieros Group markets its solutions through societies Álava engineers, Telecom engineers Álava, Preditec and MRA, covering Spanish and Portuguese markets.
José María Almazán.
What is dedicated Álava Ingenieros?
Álava Ingenieros offers comprehensive solutions that include advice, engineering, distribution, training and after-sales service to customers in sectors such as industrial, aerospace, automotive, security and defence, telecommunications, centres of research and testing, and public administration services.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the company. Has the company fulfilled the expectations and objectives initially set?
The truth is that the continuous growth that we are developing has fulfilled more than expectations and initial objectives. But this does not mean that we can now relax... Moreover, the objectives of future growth are ambitious and we hope that achievable.
What importance do for the company new technologies?
They are the engine of our company. We try to put at the disposal of our clients the latest technologies to develop our partners so that they can improve their quality, efficiency and security. Today, in the sectors in which Álava Ingenieros works, is essential to be able to offer new features that allow users to improve all-round previously commented.
"We have the best brands of the market in all of our lines of business and a team with a great technical ability and a great human value"
What it does to differentiate their products and services from those of their competitors?
The most important thing is that we have the best brands of the market in all our lines of business and a template with a great technical ability and a great human value. This provides added value for our clients that are in Álava Ingenieros advice, product, installation and training with us. All this allows us to offer truly professional and functional solutions that make that their investments are guaranteed.
In addition, services of engineering, you distribute thermography brand Flir Systems in Spain. What kind of product develops this company?
FLIR Systems is the pioneer and world leader in manufacturing of infrared cameras and is divided into two business lines: thermal vision for thermography for temperature measurement and safety. Your business is focused on the manufacture of all the components needed to produce an infrared camera, both of temperature measurement and thermal vision. It is manufacturer of the complete system, i.e. from the sensor to the casing, passing through lenses, electronics, measurement of temperature...
The great strength of Flir Systems is that it is continuously investing in r & d benefits, developing new products that incorporate the latest technologies. This continuous development has allowed even go cheaper costs with increasing penetration in the market.
Which one is the respondent?
Today the demand for thermography cameras is huge and in the last 4 years sales have experienced a strong increase. Low-cost teams have opened the doors to many more customers and you could say that they are the most popular teams. In the high performance systems and that they incorporate the latest technological developments has also increased demand as they allow access to new types of applications.
With what arguments it would persuade a potential buyer to it acquiring a product of Flir Systems instead of the competition?
The main value that we offer is the set of the supply. In other words, not only is I offer you the best cameras Thermographic of the market, if not also behind a technical equipment, technical service and a training which is at the first level. All staff working in the products of Flir Systems in Álava Ingenieros has an international certification as a level I or II termografista, our technical service is approved by FLir Systems to be able to review the equipment in our facilities and we have created Spain and Portugal an Ide training centre in thermography with international certification.
What is the market share of Flir Systems in the Spanish territory?
You could say that in the part of thermography market share is around 55 per cent by the references we have. In the most economic teams competition is much higher and it is difficult to know this figure accurately. High-end computers are much better known all projects and the data are more reliable and even with a considerably larger share.
In that measure has affected the crisis in the sector of construction in the sales of their products?
More than the crisis in the construction sector could be said that it is affecting us the slowdown in the Spanish market. This uncertainty at all levels has resulted in that customers are delaying the decision to purchase. We still have good expectations in major projects that can alleviate these moments.
What was the turnover of the company in 2007?
Álava Ingenieros in 2007 turnover of EUR 50 million.
Your company will participate in the next edition of Matelec. What can you find anyone visiting your booth?
Visitors can see and use our range of Thermographic cameras, from the most simple and economic to the more professional systems with high resolution and all kinds of benefits. The advantage of working with Flir Systems is that we can offer to all our visitors equipment of high quality at all levels of prices to be the largest manufacturer of equipment.
In addition, and very important, visitors will have the expertise to identify the most appropriate to your requirements and budget team.
"We are actively working to start the internationalization of the company, extending our business to the Latin American market"
Presents the company something new Flir systems in Matelec? Which one?
Introducing new models of cameras within the different ranges that we have. I5 model is a totally revolutionary in price and performance by lowering the barrier of 2,500 euros. In addition, the Flir I50, which is a performance superior to the previous and the Flir P660 model, which is the most complete machine in today market will be presented.
What are the plans in the short and medium term of Álava Ingenieros?
Within our structure we are working our expansion mainly in three aspects:
Firstly, the organic growth by signing with new suppliers in sectors in which we are always looking at the quality of their products and that we can continue to give our added value. Secondly, the creation of a new Department of engineering and projects allowing us to address one important demand in our sectors. Within this Department could distinguish two major parts: a first that would be based on engineering focused on banks of trials with developments of custom software, and a second turnkey projects-oriented by integrating our technologies. Finally, we are actively working within the program Pipe (initiation Plan promotion abroad) to begin the internationalization of the company, extending our business to the Latin American market.
Aspect of the Kyo towers of Madrid with a Flir Thermographic camera.
About Flir Systems...
The company is today in a "very expansive" phase. Explains to Interempresas Jose Sierra, Manager of Ventas from Flir Systems for Spain, Portugal and Baltic countries. "The cameras are increasingly sophisticated and at the same time easy to use." "The integration of new technologies such as GPS, remote control etc. provide customers great ease in the location and identification of faults in equipment, as well as access to dangerous sites without risking the lives of the workers", says Sierra.
FLIR Systems also invests much effort in the development of low cost equipment to bring this technology to companies and customers who previously had no access or in such advanced equipment investment capacity. Arguably, Sierra, ensures that "the dream of Flir will be created in the future an infrared camera to have at home in the Toolbox".
"At the same time, our expansion also focuses on equipment of high range for r & d, the acquisition of the French company CEDIP Infrared, incorporated into our line of products, equipment of extreme and extremely advanced benefits," he notes.
FLIR Systems is also involved in the fight against global warming, with cameras for leak detection of harmful gases to the atmosphere and our environment. The GASFindIR cameras are already used in many countries and governmental institutions to detect emissions of CO2 and other many gases with great success.
"Our intention is to continue to grow organically and also acquiring new businesses." "The best is yet to come", ruling Sierra.
Jose Sierra.
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