Reiten impressed, charmed by Spanish newcomers

After just a few months within the fold, both companies have fully embraced the Hydro values and are aiming for improvements in both safety and productivity based on systematic and detailed integration plans that are still flexible enough to allow for bottom-up initiatives and involvement from staff.

EXPRAL: Eivind Reiten was guided through the Expral extrusion plant by plant manager Eduard Canet (left). (Photo: Erik Brynhildsbakken)

The companies are convinced that the productivity improvement will come, but they need to build a strong basis, in housekeeping and safety, to support the development of the organization towards manufacturing excellence.

“We often say that safety and productivity go hand in hand, and at Alumafel and Expral we now see this theory put into practice in the best possible way,” Reiten said.

“Management and staff are all pulling in the same direction, sharing detailed short- to medium-term targets with the long-term ambition of one day be among the frontrunners in the Hydro family.”

Leading position in Spain

Alumafel, one of the country’s top aluminium building systems brands, was acquired by Hydro in July to push Hydro into a leading position in Spain and confirm its position among the global players of the industry.

The company has more than 500 employees and had a turnover of around €110 million last year. Most of Alumafel’s facilities are located in northern Spain, including its Miranda production site.

The Expral extrusion plant, located just outside capital Madrid, operates two extrusion presses and has about 90 employees.

Together with Hydro’s extrusion plant at La Roca close to Barcelona, the Expral acquisition in April gives Hydro a total annual volume of around 30,000 tonnes in Spain, placing the company in lead position in an otherwise fragmented national market with more than 50 mostly small producers. 

Long-term ambition

The Spanish economy is currently experiencing a downturn after several high-growth years, especially in the key building and construction sector, but Reiten underlined Hydro’s long-term ambition within building systems and extrusion in Spain, one of Europe’s most important markets in these sectors.

“Hydro has prospered for more than 100 years thanks to a unique combination of continuous innovation and operational excellence. This combination is only possible if you have the confidence to avoid the temptation to rush in and out of markets and instead focus on being best in class throughout the ups and downs of the economic cycle,” Reiten said, adding: “Hydro has that confidence and determination.”

Expral plant visit (Photo: Erik Brynhildsbakken)

Expral plant visit (Photo: Erik Brynhildsbakken)

Expral plant visit (Photo: Erik Brynhildsbakken)

Expral plant visit (Photo: Erik Brynhildsbakken)

Expral plant visit (Photo: Erik Brynhildsbakken)

 

Expral plant visit (Photo: Erik Brynhildsbakken)

Expral plant visit (Photo: Erik Brynhildsbakken)