We concluded our anniversary year with a special event honoring the entire team, both current and past, who have contributed to the company’s success.
**On Friday, October 4th, we celebrated our 50th anniversary with a commemorative event held at our Maqua headquarters in Asturias.** The event brought together prominent figures from the business and institutional sectors, including the President of the Principality of Asturias, Adrián Barbón, who joined us to mark this significant milestone. Other attendees included Vice President of the Principality, Gimena Llamedo; the Minister of Science, Business, Training, and Employment, Borja Sánchez; the Minister of Ecological Transition, Industry, and Economic Development, Nieves Roqueñí; the Deputy Minister of Industry and Just Transition, Isaac Pola; the Director-General of Energy and Mining, Belarmina Díaz; the Mayor of Gozón, Jorge Suárez; the Mayor of Avilés, Mariví Monteserín; the Councilor for Urban and Economic Development, Manuel Campa; and the Councilor for Training and Employment, Juan Carlos Guerrero, as well as other mayors and representatives from municipal corporations and business associations, including the three Chambers of Commerce of Asturias.
The event served as an opportunity to pay tribute to the history and achievements of Grupo Aleastur, a company that, since its founding in 1974, has maintained a steady upward trajectory based on values of hard work, humility, and a continuous commitment to quality and excellence.
**Institutional visit to our innovation center**
As part of the celebration, an institutional visit was made to our new innovation center. The visit was led by Julián Ruiz, Director of CINNO, and Marta Suárez, Head of R&D. President Adrián Barbón highlighted the successful trajectory of our group, noting that innovation has been a key factor in the strong resilience of the Avilés region, which has promising expectations for industrial development. During the visit, our guests had the opportunity to explore the new facilities and learn about the latest projects involving artificial intelligence and vision technology, as well as the spaces dedicated to R&D activities. Grupo Aleastur's investment in research and development has been crucial in adapting to the demands of the global market and maintaining its position at the forefront of the metallurgical industry.
**A journey through five decades of growth**
During the event, attendees were given a retrospective on Aleastur's history, from its early days to its current position as a global leader in supplying specialized products for high-value industries such as automotive, aerospace, and technology. The event was filled with emotional moments as key individuals from the group's history shared their reflections on the company’s evolution over the past 50 years. From its first plant in Avilés, Aleastur has not only expanded geographically but also increased its production capacity and technological innovation.
**Half a century of continuous evolution**
The group's business projection has expanded throughout its history, thanks to strategic industrial and shareholder alliances that have helped consolidate its growth base and pursue new challenges and opportunities. From the beginning, the company has prioritized internationalization by expanding its global operations and entering new markets worldwide.
Over these 50 years, the group has undergone significant adaptation and transformation, while preserving its foundational values. These values, along with a strong drive for self-improvement and constant innovation, have enabled the company to thrive in the global market and overcome the challenges of an ever-changing environment.
Grupo Aleastur operates with a strong commitment to the socioeconomic environment in which it is based, pursuing sustainable practices and maintaining deep roots in the community. The company applies a philosophy of continuous improvement and innovation in all its functional areas and continually reinvests in safety, sustainability, and efficiency across all its production centers. A recent highlight is the opening in 2021 of its first overseas production unit in Bahrain, which, alongside other subsidiaries and distribution points across various regions, has strengthened the group's global operational presence and enabled it to better serve the fastest-growing international markets.
As a result of this tremendous effort, Grupo Aleastur has become a truly global entity. Today, 90% of its business is focused on foreign markets, with over 800 customers located in 80 countries.
“The common factor in all of our most important decisions has been the willingness to step outside our comfort zone as a company. These decisions were by no means easy to make at the time but represent our clear commitment to constant growth and improvement,” emphasized Sergio Martínez, CEO of Grupo Aleastur. “This year, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we maintain our unwavering motivation to continue growing and pay tribute to the entire team—both current and past—who have been the true protagonists that have brought us to where we are today."
