INTERVIEW
Ojmar is a company based in Gipuzkoa that specialises in developing and manufacturing locks for office furniture and equipment based on the latest technological advances. This company, that initially manufactured weapons a century ago, offers a clear example of an evolution in terms of products and technology that has become a leader in the domestic market and an outstanding benchmark on an international scale. During this interview, Ramón Gabikagogeaskoa, the managing director of Ojmar, explains how the company has moved towards its current business model.
1.- Ojmar mainly develops and manufactures smart electronic locks for lockers. Apart from being a pioneer all over the world, your star product is the wireless RFID lock. What sort of technological challenges did you have to deal with during its development?
The two main technological challenges we had to address were related to acquiring new technological expertise and controlling wireless communications to ensure minimal energy consumption levels and a suitable degree of safety for all of our locks.
2.- What has this innovative lock contributed with regard to your technology? Could you name its main advantages?
In a world that is becoming increasingly digital and focused on data management, this lock represents a significant step for the furniture and locker sectors as it provides innovative control and management options for furniture. The main advantage is that it uses a widely extended wifi technology which means that this system can be installed without requiring new infrastructures.
This solution, moreover, can be adapted to existing furniture as current mechanical or offline electronic locks can be retrofitted easily when they are replaced by this new solution.
3.- Your company, Ojmar, was established 100 years ago. How have you evolved over the years to nowadays offer cutting-edge technological products?
Ojmar has always been and still is a company that has known how to adapt to the world in which has done business. Over the years we have made a broad range of things such as weapons, sewing machines, locks for vehicles and office furniture and we are now offering solutions for diverse sectors such as fitness, wellness, collectives, laboratories, corporations, etc. Nowadays, and with the onset on digital and associated services, Ojmar is adapting its offer to meet these new market demands.
4.- A hundred years later, Ojmar has become a worldwide leader in terms of systems featuring smart locks but is still advancing towards Industry 4.0. How significant is this partnership between IK4-TEKNIKER and Ojmar when the time comes to addressing the challenges currently posed by 4.0?
Ojmar's collaboration with IK4-TEKNIKER dates back many years and has allowed us to pool our mechanical and electronic knowledge as well as the industrial processes and equipment of both organisations. To achieve this goal, Ojmar has been supported by IK4-TEKNIKER professionals to design and develop innovative solutions for value processes and products.
5.- How does Ojmar benefit from collaborating with research centres like IK4-TEKNIKER?
Thanks to IK4-TEKNIKER's technical support, Ojmar can define, test and/or compare the innovative ideas we want to add to our value offer. Ojmar also resorts to IK4-TEKNIKER as a support and a technical expert that provides training for Ojmar staff covering various technological areas.
