The automotive sector has changed radically due to the coronavirus health crisis. This diagnosis was made by the director of the Sigit plant in Calatayud, Luis Sanfiz, with almost 40 years of experience in this field: “Before the market was very predictable, now it is unstable and there is a lot of uncertainty.” celebrates in a new location in the area of Cuadras de Esteras, where it has invested 12 million coins, with a staff of 152 employees and recognizing itself. the exception that proves the rule.
“Within the global problems that exist, due to the lack of supplies and semiconductors, the seat models that we work with are the most stable, compared to others”, portrays the head of the center. In this sense, he declares that he has “80% capacity with three shifts, which is very good for the state of the market, and in April we will be in front of 90 or 95%, which is almost full production, hiring 10 more people”. it is, with the uncertainty of time, how long it will be”, he says.
In their case, they have an open ERTE until September, but he points out that “we have barely used two weeks in the last quarter and now no person has been affected”. Sanfiz recognizes that it is this instability that invites us to think that “the concept of manufacturing in general must be reconsidered, because the market needs greater flexibility”. Thus, he shows that this major maneuver should affect both “the conquerors and the artists, according to the adaptation of the demand, in the management of persons and forces.”
Future plans
At the moment, one and a half million plastic injection parts come out of the Sigit factory in Calatayud every month, all of them to be placed within the Volkswagen group models, such as some Skoda, Seat Leon, Cupra Formentor, T- Roc, T-Cross. Polo, Tiguan, Touareg and Taigo. In total, 85% of the volume lines go to Martorelli, but part also reaches the rest of the peninsula, such as Pamplona, and the smallest part goes outside the borders of Spain: Africa, Germany; The Czech Republic
With a future perspective, Sanfiz appreciates and has long anticipated that they are looking to diversify their client portfolio and are in the process of ordering several models of the Star Circle and the Renault Vel. “We work with proposals and developments because we want to expand our base to which we work, with all the experience we have,” he said. In this sense, he estimates that he is doing it “not only thinking about Zaragoza”, but also for the other plants of the conglomerate in which the old Opel is included, such as Vigo, Madrid, Rabat…
“Electricity does not affect us, because it does not directly influence the motorization of the car. Although we know that the concept of manufacturing has to change”, insists Sanfiz. Another of the aspects in which he focuses his analysis is the shortage of workers in certain technical positions, which some people value highly: “It is not a problem exclusive to this sector, but common to the whole sector”, he acknowledges.
On the institution of the vocation and the being of Ambassadors.
Thus, Sanfiz explains, “VT schools do not have as many mechanical, mechanical, engineering and electrical students as the industry demands.” Faced with this situation, he highlights the work carried out by the Aragon Automotive Cluster (CAAR) through the “ambassadors” project. “We work closely with him, because people who come from the vocational training center to disseminate the resources for professional development that are in the industry,” he says.
“People from different societies, especially young people, talk about their experiences with children of the same age in the same language.” In his case, he explains that the closest training is with centers like IES Emilio Jimeno de Calatayud. It also indicates that they are committed “in time and in external training for them to join the company.”
Origins
Looking back, Sanfiz positively evaluates the growth process of the group in the city of Bilbao, where he arrived at Indeplas Sistemas. “In 2014, when we were in Alcalá de Henarés, the opportunity arose to take the order to close the plant. Since I was in charge of Danai in Calatayud, I knew that the plant was available,” he recalls.
That accelerated the deadlines, but the start took about a year and in March 2016 the Sigit Group, which wanted to open a field of operations in Spain, bought the company. “Commercial expansion is sought in a country that is the second European vehicle manufacturer,” he estimates. In 2017 they placed orders to assemble models for the new headquarters and in March 2019 they opened a new plant.
