This news article was originally written in Spanish. It has been automatically translated for your convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace a human translator. The original article in Spanish can be viewed at Euskadi, la tercera región de Europa con mayor peso en la industria de la máquina-herramienta

Ver más artículos sobre: Data of the machine tool industry

Bernabe Unda inaugurates the first seminar to be held in Europe about the industry of the metal, with the participation of experts from different countries

Euskadi, the third region of Europe with greater weight in the machine tool industry

Drafting Interempresas29/07/2010

Basque country is one of the most important regions in Europe in the sector of the metal because of the role that represents its position in the machine tool industry and to the extent of the number of companies which comprises (steel, cast iron, wrought iron)(, automotive, shipbuilding, energy...) and the jobs they generate. So shows it a report drawn up by the European Commission, which was released on June 23 in the Bilbao Exhibition Center in Barakaldo. The work portrays the State of the whole sector in the EU and has been submitted, in a brief summary, under the title 'A look at the invisible sector'.

The European Commission (EC) chose the Basque country as an ideal place to celebrate the first European seminar on the Metal industry. During the day, a hundred of specialists in the sector, the European institution, both from different regions of the EU and in the Basque country.

Photograph of a Tecoi machine.

These experts from various fields (industry, associations, banks, institutions and trade unions) debated the report prepared by the EC. The metal in the Basque country gave as an example of proper functioning. Why you were invited to several speakers of the institutions and Basque companies to a round table to explain the basis on which the success of this sector has been based in the Basque country. Representatives of several countries of Europe more weight in this area were present at the seminar.

'An invisible sector'

The day began with the presentation of the report drawn up by the European Commission. Along its 266 pages, employment that produces the metal in Europe, his productivity, the structure of the companies, distributors, the competitiveness of the sector as well as other fundamental aspects are discussed in a comprehensive manner.

One of the main conclusions of the paper points out that the metallurgical industry passes unnoticed in Europe (hence the title of 'A look at the invisible sector'), while includes industries with implementation in most cities and regions of Europe. It is an important engine of its economy and one of the main generators of employment. In particular, more than 4 million jobs. The sector is mainly composed of SMEs and has more than 400,000 metallurgical companies. No other sector manufacturing or engineering, except for the construction, has a greater number of companies.

Machine tool of Obradors.

The study stops in Europe's regions, including the Basque country, which highlights its relevance in this sector. It stresses the importance of Basque clusters, as well as the machine tool industry.

According to the report, Basque country is the third region of greater weight in Europe in the field of machine tools, with a high level of experience, a great competitive position, high degrees of flexibility and adaptation to the changes, and major technology centers. On the other hand, between its weaknesses, indicates the size of the companies and, as a possible threat, countries who work with low production costs.

It also stresses the importance of the value of the support of the Basque public institutions. In this sense, Councillor Bernabe Unda stressed during the opening support which in turn will continue to exercise the Basque Government to the metal sector. It will continue with initiatives such as the 10 million euros for the last ' plan Renove' machine tool, presented on May 31 at the Biennale, or the regular programmes of internationalization. Also, the Plan of competitiveness 2010-2013, submitted in July, will boost innovation, competitiveness and internationalization of companies in the Basque country. The Adviser has added a fact: "the metal sector absorbs more than 60% of the working population Basque".

Machine tool Tecoi.

The Act led Alexandra Tour-Schroeder, head of unit of the Directorate-General for enterprise and industry of the European Union, to present the final conclusions of the seminar. Two round tables were held during the day. Among the participants, there was more industrialized guests from different countries and regions of Europe (Italy, Germany, Belgium, Poland, France...), with representatives of the Administration, associations, federations and associations of the sector.