Mungia (Biscay), October 21, 2022– Mr. Aurelio Arteche, in the context of an adverse situation and an ocean away from his home, was able to see an opportunity emerging. Back then, the term entrepreneurship was perhaps not used as it is today, but that is what he was: an entrepreneur.
Back in the Basque Country, Aurelio Arteche took his first steps in a shop on Gordóniz Street in Bilbao, where the first licensed instrument transformers were produced. Some time later, the first factory was built in Mungia, halfway between Bakio and Bilbao. After the transformers came the auxiliary relays and now, 75 years later, more than 2500 people continue the legacy of a family business whose third generation has the same enthusiasm as the first day.
Through innovation and international expansion, Arteche has continued growing and opening up to the world. Today, the company sells its products in more than 175 countries through 13 factories in four of the five continents: Europe, America, Asia and Australia. International recognition was achieved thanks to products at the forefront of the energy sector, a close and flexible service, a socially responsible management and fulfillment of the commitment to care for the planet.
The Company’s Event
On Friday, October 21st, Arteche celebrated its 75th anniversary at its headquarters in Mungia, and several different generations of the family were in attendance. Iñigo Urkullu, President of the Basque Government, Arantxa Tapia, Minister of Economic Development, Sustainability and Environment of the Basque Government, and Unai Rementeria, General Deputy of Biscay, among others, were present as well.
Before the start of the event itself, which was held inside the Ultra High Voltage Laboratory, authorities visited the facilities accompanied by Alex Artetxe, CEO and President of the company, and Luis María Pérez, General Manager of Arteche.
During their tour of the facilities, they saw first-hand part of the production process and some of the developments, such as the capacitive load cell and product testing and monitoring, which ensure that the highest quality standards are met by checking the operation of the product throughout the process; drying ovens for transformer cores, and robotics and artificial intelligence elements, among which are 2 robots that streamline operational efficiency through a programmed route.
In his speech during the institutional act, the President of the Basque Government, Iñigo Urkullu, stressed that "Arteche maintains the founding values of the family business and the competitive capacity of a global company in a highly competitive market". He also highlighted "Arteche's commitment to the challenge of decarbonization and energy transition" and the fact that it has also been "a pioneer company in assuming the Sustainable Development Goals".
Alex Artetxe, part of the third generation, praised the work done by the two generations that preceded his own and celebrated the fact that the fourth one is already "knocking on our doors." He also stressed that they are “very grateful for the magnificent legacy we have inherited, and we are working so that, in the future, Arteche can be even stronger, bigger, more sustainable and more international; a company with the best talent where we will continue to remember where we come from and what our roots are.”
In addition to the family and company representatives, Arteche's Ultra High Voltage Laboratory was visited this Friday by a wide range of ambassadors of the different stakeholders that have accompanied Arteche along this path, the individuals that make up the group of people whose presence is paramount in understanding these 75 years of history: the suppliers, customers and representatives of other companies in the region, as well as the management team and representatives of the social area of the company.
A Year of Celebration to Remember Those Who Need It Most
In addition to the company event held in Mungia, Arteche has organized other initiatives to commemorate its 75-year anniversary. At the beginning of the year, the Sumando Energías Solidarity Race started, a flexible race, without a circuit or route, in which it was possible to participate on foot, by bike or running. The goal is to provide electricity supply for a whole year to 75 disadvantaged families in the different regions where Arteche is present.
Between February 14 and April 29, participants logged kilometers in a mobile application and, thanks to everyone's effort and commitment, there were enough kilometers logged to circumnavigate the world. Cáritas was in charge of determining which families will receive the electricity supply and, within the framework of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (October 17), the corresponding agreements have been signed to start the supply.
To carry out this solidarity initiative, in addition to the commitment of Cáritas, the sum of energies of Iberdrola as gold sponsor has been essential, as well as Jema Irizar Group, Hitachi, Shemar, Krempel, Atlantic Forwarding Spain, Nynas, DSV, Urrutia Logistika and Omicron as silver and bronze sponsors.
Arteche is a family-owned company that is currently made up of more than 2500 people. 75 years of history could not be possible without the families of all employees, who are just as important as the family that makes up the company's worldwide workforce.
For this reason, this weekend, Arteche will celebrate Family Day together at all the group's plants. This internal and festive event will allow the people who make up the company to enjoy a day of music, entertainment, gastronomy and some as yet undisclosed surprises at the company's facilities in four continents.
Three quarters of a century have passed since the company took its first steps. Arteche, as a driving force and backbone of the region, is working towards a more innovative, sustainable and international future. All of this while maintaining its roots in the land where it was born and making a positive difference for the local communities where it is present.
In a present and future marked by challenges such as the energy transition and the decarbonization process, Arteche's objective is to continue offering added value to customers, suppliers and society as a whole through innovative, reliable, efficient and sustainable solutions.
