INTERVIEW
Pladomin is a company located in Cantabria with a long-standing tradition and a highly innovative spirit in the field of plastic injection for parts geared toward the industrial sector and consumer market (especially telecommunications, household appliances and automotive). The managing director, Mr Alfonso Sebrango, explains to Newtek how important it is to collaborate and the joint commitment involving the company and the technology centre as regards developing the most advanced processes at competitive prices.
1.- Pladomin is focused on very demanding sectors such as automotive or household appliances. What technological challenges do these sectors pose?
These are very competitive sectors. Nowadays, plants assembling cars or manufacturing household appliances can work with suppliers that are literally located thousands of kilometres away. We have established quality control systems to guarantee the suitability of the parts manufactured and ensure that technologies such as artificial vision and complete product traceability are included.
2.- Could you describe the collaboration between Pladomin and IK4-TEKNIKER and how you are dealing with technological challenges?
Pladomin has always done its utmost to surround itself with the most advanced suppliers and set up long-term strategies to offer our customers cutting-edge processes at the most competitive prices which cannot be done by integrating all processes vertically.
Achieving a competitive advantage is a process that is already sufficiently complicated in itself (thermoplastic injection in our case). It is not realistic to believe that one can have a command of all the technologies embedded in our products. The most advanced companies build an “ecosystem” around them to allow their partners to execute their respective activities competitively.
3.- What contribution has specialisation made in terms of multi-functional surfaces at the technology centre as regards the specific solutions developed by Pladomin?
At IK4-TEKNIKER we have found the same kind of collaborative spirit, highly advanced knowledge in different technologies, a very experienced team and superb equipment to carry out research work.
4.- One of the most salient elements of the cooperation between your company and IK4-TEKNIKER has to do with the fact that the coordination between both has been very successful and that experts from the two organisations have worked as if only one team were involved. What are the key elements behind this model of collaboration?
I think that trust and a long-term commitment are essential. Team work means that you share goals and also analyse the different problems but from the team's perspective. It is also essential to communicate this strategy internally.
It all adds up: suitable interlocutors, sharing joint goals and any problems that may arise and obtaining funding tools that can provide support for initiatives of this kind.
5.- Why is it important for a company to use the knowledge supplied by a technology centre as a support?
Everyday activities of an industrial firm leave no time for research, emergencies are dealt with and projects are planned based on a strategy. But when the aim is to radically improve a process, it is necessary to resort to a team that is not totally influenced by pressures in terms of sales figures. Technology centres, moreover, employ top-ranking researchers covering different fields, a crucial component when the time comes to solving complex problems.
