INTERVIEW
Since the company's incorporation more then 55 years ago, innovation has been a constant at Beltrán Ascensores y Montacargas to progress and perform competitively in the market. In this interview, Lorenzo Beltrán, director general of Beltrán Ascensores y Montacargas, explains how this SME is completely focused on innovation.
1.- What does innovation mean for an SME and how can it enhance your competitiveness?
Innovation should not be considered a need or an obligation, but rather must be addressed as yet another of our daily tasks.
2.- How is innovation managed at Ascensores Beltrán?
It has been determined, up to an extent, by the company's origins, although it can also appear suddenly in the form of an idea that we then try to mould by creating a study and search process linked to achievable objectives. Or any idea that is to be looked into because goals had already been defined in advance.
3.- What was your company's perception with regard to technology centres such as IK4-TEKNIKER before you set up the collaboration. How did this perception change once the project had been carried out?
I think it was 12 years ago since we first got in touch with a centre like IK4-TEKNIKER and we did believe, at that time, that it was a somewhat remote option for us. We were under the impression that technology centres were very exclusive organisations and removed from what an SME requires on a daily basis. Nowadays, the technology centre is as familiar to us as any other suppliers.
4.- What has working with IK4-TEKNIKER meant for you?
We have benefitted from having a nearby supplier that always delivered solutions to meet our needs and can offer results which, if otherwise, would not be incorporated to the value that IK4-TEKNIKER attaches to its work.
5.- What were the main advantages resulting from implementing the Knowit competitive intelligence platform for your company?
The platform has allowed us to transform innovation into an everyday task.
6.- How does Competitive Intelligence help you on a daily basis?
It allows us to be fully aware of all the information and possibilities connected to technological trends and innovations available on the market.
We can also keep up with technological publications and patents in our sector to discover and anticipate future trends.
