DIKAR has unveiled its new plant in Arrasate with an institutional ceremony attended by Marisol Garmendia delegate of the Spanish Government in the Basque Autonomous Community; Iñigo Ucín president of the MONDRAGON Corporation; and Inmaculada Riera i Reñé Director General of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce DIKAR has opened a new chapter with its new production plant In addition to being an obvious nod to the action of reloading a weapon Reload is also a way to be inspired to overcome new challenges seeking excellence through the fusion of innovation and know-how in order to redefine the rules of sport hunting and remain a benchmark in the firearms sector The new production plant is located in the Garagarza neighbourhood in Arrasate-Mondragón (Gipuzkoa) the former headquarters of Fagor Garagarza A place of enormous symbolism for the Corporation and which has recovered its industrial pulse thanks to DIKAR The 26,000 square metre site has been fully refurbished and the result is a modern production plant that will allow them to continue growing was grateful and proud of the company's track record: "The truth is that during our history we have managed to compete among the biggest in the hunting market We have changed our production model to a modern and efficient industrial model with an excellent product based on quality and service" DIKAR currently employs almost 400 people at its four sites in Spain The CEO also highlighted the value of the cooperative model "a socio-entrepreneurial reality of the future committed to its environment and which generates homogeneous wealth in the territory" She also highlighted the value of hunting in the natural balance of ecosystems and encouraged the authorities to "adopt courageous decisions based on proven scientific criteria that favour the development of this type of activity" DIKAR is both a manufacturer and distributor It is a technology-based company that has been able to innovate and grow thanks to the work of all the people who make up the cooperative Iñigo Ucín, President of MONDRAGON highlighted DIKAR as an example for the cooperative movement: "Rebirth and adaptation will be the keys to building the future the driving force behind the Mondragon cooperative movement DIKAR has recovered a plant of enormous symbolism with cutting-edge technology that will generate wealth in the surrounding area" The Director of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce praised the work being done in the industrial field by MONDRAGON and cooperatives such as DIKAR "I would like to congratulate DIKAR on its excellence its commitment and its international project You are an example for the Spanish industrial sector" delegate of the Spanish Government in the Basque Country addressed those present and congratulated each and every one of the people who make up the DIKAR collective: "You have been able to set this great project in motion to open facilities of high technological value generating quality employment that is committed to local society" The official inauguration of the new facilities was also the occasion for a large commercial event with the sales network in the United States and the rest of the world as well as with the network of US distributors a factory tour that allowed visitors to see the different areas of the new facility This was a previously marked out tour that allowed a first contact with the new space and the applied technology The event's organisers arranged for different groups to get a first-hand look at the new production plant the network of sales representatives and distributors were able to attend a brief discussion with the participation of Dakota Russell and Guillermo Martínez sales managers of the Bergara brand in the United States and the rest of the world respectively; and Jason Sebo the three salesmen stressed that the new production plant will be synonymous with growth DIKAR now has more capacity and a better production system: "Before It used to take us three months to make a rifle pointed out that this increased production flow will mean that products will reach the US more quickly All the people present at the event also took part in the grand opening where a stage was set up for the occasion There was no shortage of ingredients for this type of event: music videos and cocktails served with game meat pintxos all of which decorated an opening that was celebrated by the entire DIKAR collective the people who came from all over the world participated in the visits and meetings held during their stay in the Basque Country This system uses advanced computer vision algorithms to analyse photos of glass ceramics and receive an assessment of their damage and characteristics The Basque industrial group grows by 2% compared to 2023—another historic year—consolidating its leadership in the machine tool sector Danobat breaks into the robotics sector with a disruptive development: an innovative robot model specifically engineered for operations requiring high precision and dynamic performance Danobat aims to transform manufacturing processes and provide a flexible The rapidly growing social network already has almost 30 million active users The Basque Country’s Mondragón Corporation is the globe’s largest industrial co-operative with workers paying for the right to share in its profits – and its losses In return for giving more to their employer When Marisa Fernández lost her husband to cancer a few years ago her employers at the Eroski hypermarket went “above and beyond to help me through the dark days afterwards rejigging my timetable and giving me time off when I couldn’t face coming in.” She had a chance to return the favour recently when the store in Arrasate-Mondragón in Spain’s Basque Country who started on the cashier desk 34 years ago and now manages the store’s non-food section volunteered to work extra shifts over the weekend along with her colleagues to ensure everything was ready for Monday morning Everyone is ready to go the extra mile,” she says Such harmonious employer-worker relations are the stuff of corporate dreams and they are no accident here: the Eroski retail chain is part of Mondragón Corporation Fernández co-owns part of the supermarket chain that also employs her but it’s a totally different feeling from working for someone else.” That sentiment is echoed by Mondragón’s 70,000 other workers the corporation has grown since its creation in 1956 to become a leading force in the Basque economy Eroski is one of its most conspicuous manifestations the chain has profitable sidelines in white goods Inside an Eroski supermarket in Arrasate-Mondragón Photograph: Markel Redondo/The GuardianMore than its economic success Mondragón has become a beacon for the co-operative model as a more humane and egalitarian way of doing business that puts “people over capital” Every worker has a stake in the company’s fortunes and a say in how it is run But the goal is more about creating “rich societies That means looking after workers during not only the good times but the tough times the Mondragón co-operative that she and her husband were affiliated to Demand for its ovens and household appliances had plummeted after the 2008 financial crisis and despite help from a Mondragón “solidarity fund” “I felt this overwhelming sense of pain and grief at the time as if someone close to me had died,” the 56-year-old communications specialist recalls “Plus we had two kids and bills to pay and so on Rather than thank the redundant workers for their service and wish them on their way Mondragón committed to find alternative employment for as many of Fagor’s 1,900 or so workers as it could After temporary stints in five Mondragón co-operatives in 2022 Aguirrebeitia found a permanent placement with Mondragon Assembly a manufacturer of equipment for process automation Although it has meant a shift in career – she now works part-time in human resources and part-time as a receptionist – the security of having a fixed job is a “huge relief” “I always felt confident that somehow I’d be looked after I talked to other people who were out of work at the time and they had none of that If I’d had to compete in the open job market against all the youngsters coming out of university I’m not sure I’d have ever found another job.” Mondragón’s human-centric approach originated far from any business management school Its roots lie in a socially engaged form of Catholicism that gained ground in the 1940s during the early years of the Francoist regime Its initial champion was a Basque-born cleric named José María Arizmendiarrieta arrived in the small town of Arrasate-Mondragón about 30 miles (50km) south-east of Bilbao A statue of Mondragón Corporation founder José María Arizmendiarrieta Photograph: Markel Redondo/The GuardianTaking it as his pastoral mission to revitalise the local economy the diocesan priest set up a technical school for young men he arranged for some of them to take distance-learning degrees in industrial engineering they all found jobs in conventional companies in the town but they felt stifled … they wanted more of a say over their destiny but their employers thought otherwise,” explains Ander Etxeberria With Arizmendiarrieta’s encouragement, five of these first 11 graduates decided in 1955 to set up the now defunct Fagor Electrodomésticos. Seeking a model that reflected their Christian socialist philosophy, they turned to the Rochdale Pioneers a group of tradespeople from the Lancashire town who had established the world’s first co-operative That venture grew to become today’s Co-operative Group home to the UK’s fifth biggest food retailer and its largest provider of funeral services Mondragón’s founders adopted wholesale many of the Pioneers’ core tenets located in a renovated 14th-century tower with a spectacular mountain backdrop Etxeberria counts off the group’s 10 “basic principles” The list ranges from the sovereignty of labour and democratic organisation (one member to wage solidarity and “social transformation” – which includes reinvesting surpluses to create new jobs supporting local charities and community development projects and strengthening the Basque Country’s Euskara language Top of the list is voluntary and open membership – namely the opportunity for everyone to have a personal stake in the enterprise where they work As an early version of the principles reads: “The first form of elemental justice that we need to practise is to consider each other as free human beings.” members of Mondragón’s co-operatives also decide collectively on whether they should pay themselves bonuses and This profit-sharing comes in addition to a base pay rate that Despite its social responsibility credentials When Etxeberria presses “play” on an introductory video the screen shows not pictures of happy workers doing yoga but gleaming industrial facilities and straight-faced technicians in lab coats Overlaying these images are facts and figures that would have mainstream financiers salivating: €10.6bn (£9.1bn) in annual revenues; a dozen research and development facilities; a global roster of blue-chip clients; and a diversified sector spread – industry professional vibe is on show at Fagor Arrasate a Mondragón affiliate located on one of the many industrial estates that ring Arrasate-Mondragón a vibrant town of cafe-strewn streets and busy bars A specialist in metal presses and stamping systems Fagor Arrasate boasts several hangar-sized workshops full of robotic machinery and giant components ready for export “Some of the installations we make for customers can be three to four storeys high multimillion-euro investments,” enthuses Edorta Mendieta Pinned to a cork noticeboard beside a busy production line are photos of a recent charity run a printout of donations to local causes (including €60,000 for a nearby organic food association) and a poster about a forthcoming “women in science” event an A4 sheet of closely printed text gives notice of the co-operative’s general assembly where next year’s strategy plan will be put to an all-member vote Mondragón in the Basque Country where a number of Mondragón Corporation’s factories are based Photograph: Markel Redondo/The GuardianMondragón’s collective spirit also offers an edge with innovation In a process that the movement refers to as “inter-cooperation” co-operatives within the group frequently swap ideas between themselves and engage in joint research many of the best innovations have come from alliances with Mondragón’s homegrown university Located on a leafy campus in Arrasate-Mondragón the university was set up with a strong practical bent to both its teaching and its research that the European Commission recently selected it to co-lead a major “dual training” programme aimed at blending academia with business to tackle global challenges such as the climate crisis Mondragón’s approach has proved itself profitable and resilient so could it become a realistic alternative to the modern corporation the movement’s leaders are reluctant to denounce the wealth-maximising nature of modern market capitalism The reason is as simple as it is awkward: Mondragón must actively participate in that same capitalist system for its survival but not of” the world of mainstream business has seen the Basque-based movement face charges of double standards critics highlight its outsourcing of some of its production to low-wage countries with weaker labour standards Mondragón argues that it has checks and balances in place to ensure that its foreign business partners uphold workers’ rights and that keeping costs low is part and parcel of staying competitive But capital is still important because without it we cannot fulfil our mission of social transformation,” says Javier Marcos its focus is and always has been primarily on el territorio (the local Basque region); less about rewriting the global economic order and more about improving co-op members’ lives if others want to copy the Mondragón model he has hosted large groups of policymakers and business students from the Philippines “They come to see if our approach works in practice,” he says Young people, in particular, are attracted to the notion of business and entrepreneurship going beyond just the pursuit of profit, but they “don’t know the co-operative possibility exists,” says Ana Aguirre, a graduate of Mondragón University. The 33-year-old now co-runs Tazebaez a worker-owned consultancy and education provider that she and eight fellow students created during their bachelor’s degree For the few who have heard of co-operativism “The problem is that it’s portrayed as something to do with charity or [philanthropic] foundations rather than as a credible business model.” In some parts of the world, Mondragón’s approach just looks downright weird. No one bats an eyelid at the co-operative model in countries such as Germany, “but with these ideas in Texas or Kansas, you’re basically a communist,” says Mendieta, only half jokingly. The rise in mainstream corporations now talking the language of employee autonomy dignified wages and similar themes suggests co-operativism is leaving its mark on business company practices if not – yet – on capitalist ownership Back in Mondragón’s fort-like headquarters Etxeberria is quietly confident about the movement’s prospects is a little like zirimiri – the Eusakara word for “drizzle” “It’s the same ideas that keep falling; they’ll settle eventually.” Archive REMODELING-RENOVATION Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Children’s reading and writing develop better when they are trained in handwriting 38% of the annual electricity consumption of Vitoria-Gasteiz could be produced by fitting photovoltaic panels onto the city’s rooftops an accessible AI tool for analysing biomedical images This initiative will offer students a specialised training framework in innovative technologies oriented to business reality and a subsequent transition to the labour market The University of the Basque Country and IKERLAN have signed an agreement to promote collaboration in emerging research fields such as cybersecurity artificial intelligence and quantum computing With the signing of the agreement between UPV/EHU and IKERLAN on Thursday 18 January the UPV/EHU IKERLAN University-Business-Society Classroom was launched The Rector Eva Ferreira and the General Manager of IKERLAN The ceremony was held at the IKERLAN facilities in Arrasate-Mondragón The event was also attended by Guillermo Quindós Vice-Rector for Scientific and Social Development and Transfer of the UPV/EHU Director of the Bilbao School of Engineering of the UPV/EHU and Eduardo Jacob Professor at the Bilbao School of Engineering and Director of the Classroom Director of Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence at IKERLAN Director of Humen Resources and Communication as well as Ana Isabel Martínez and Aron Pujana they visited the laboratories at IKERLAN's headquarters in Arrasate-Mondragón.  The purpose of this agreement is to enhance the scientific and technological capabilities of the Basque Country in emerging technologies such as cybersecurity and mechatronics are complementary to the main areas of focus mentioned The agreement also promotes the education and training of individuals focused on developing technological solutions for businesses thereby enhancing students' employability.  The agreement strengthens the existing collaboration between the technology centre which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024 This collaboration involves the Bilbao School of Engineering more than 35 students have benefited from this cooperation many more will enjoy its advantages.  This collaboration framework aims to enhance the synergies between the university's training and knowledge generation efforts and the technology centre's promotion of talent and technology transfer to the business sector IKERLAN intends to strengthen its collaboration with UPV/EHU by offering opportunities for students to participate in doctoral theses The students will join IKERLAN's specialist teams accompanied by internationally renowned research staff.  IKERLAN provides students with access to demonstrators such as DIGILAB (Spain's first digital technology integration laboratory) which solve technological challenges in the fields of energy and mechatronics The UPV/EHU-IKERLAN University-Business-Society Classroom has a multidisciplinary and flexible vision It is the first virtual University-Business-Society Classroom due to the variety of venues where its activities take place These activities include dual-format practices and the promotion of research by university students in IKERLAN laboratories.  The UPV/EHU offers IKERLAN the opportunity to engage with its students participate in master's and/or degree training organise sessions or conferences of common interest This collaboration aims to anticipate the challenges of industry and society in the coming years supporting chairs and various local projects is essential Among them are those belonging to Elkartek 2024 a programme that aims to support collaborative research in strategic areas whether fundamental or industrial research within the framework of the Basque Science Technology and Innovation Plan PCTI 2030.  The UPV/EHU-IKERLAN University-Business-Society Classroom aims to lead cooperation processes at the European level which aims to revalue the railway industry Transport is a crucial infrastructure for improving the quality of life of citizens on the continent The rector of the University of the Basque Country stated that “this Classroom strengthens and solidifies the university's mission to provide high-quality education to its students in advanced scientific fields We have consolidated and cutting-edge research groups that form a perfect creative melting pot with companies such as IKERLAN promoting synergistic research and knowledge transfer”.  Ion Etxeberria has positively valued the agreement stating that “it will strengthen and structure the collaboration that has been developing for several years with UPV/EHU This opportunity aims to attract talent as part of our strategy to care for and strengthen our internal staff It also supports research in common areas of work that are crucial to the competitiveness of our business fabric IKERLAN is a technology transfer centre that provides competitive value to the industry It offers comprehensive solutions in three main areas: digital technologies and artificial intelligence embedded electronic systems and cybersecurity the centre has a team of 420 people and offices in Arrasate-Mondragón IKERLAN is a cooperative member of the MONDRAGON Corporation and the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) IKERLAN's sustainable and competitive business model is constantly evolving the company will celebrate its 50th anniversary and remains dedicated to its founding objective: developing technology to enhance the innovation and competitiveness of companies in its environment.  .thngs-to-do-title{font-size:30px;padding-top:20px}.thngs-to-do-txt{font-family:unify sans,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px}Things To Do in the Wareham AreaThings to do in Wareham, .thngs-to-do-title{font-size:30px;padding-top:20px}.thngs-to-do-txt{font-family:unify sans,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px}Things To Do in the Acton AreaThings to do in Acton, Machine Tool Division of the MONDRAGON Corporation Design and construction of Presses and Stamping Systems The MONDRAGON Corporation has ratified its commitment to China through the recent launch of a new project by Danobatgroup and the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Fagor Arrasate plant The MONDRAGON network in China involves 22 manufacturing plants With a view to strengthening its position in the Chinese market and providing its customers with a high value-added service the Basque business group Danobatgroup has opened a Centre of Excellence in Shanghai one of China’s largest industrial growth poles The new facilities belonging to this Basque producer of machine tools and advanced manufacturing systems consist of a workshop equipped for repairing heads a showroom displaying high value-added machinery this new deployment in Shanghai will provide customers with bespoke demonstrations and testing sessions technical support and training services in an efficient and accessible manner for them through the hiring of new local technical specialists and the possibility of carrying out repairs within very short timeframes The purpose of our deployment in Shanghai is to position our two prestigious brands –DANOBAT and SORALUCE- at the forefront of the Chinese market it will help to reinforce our business operations and technical support service “This is a commitment that will enable us to forge closer ties with our customers and provide a local service that is more accessible This facility extends the range of Danobatgroup’s services in China and its remit is to drive sales in the country with a special impact in the Shanghai area one of the foremost industrial areas in the country The group’s outlook for the next 2-3 years is to significantly increase its turnover in the Chine market the Danobatgroup is taking another major step forward in its Internationalisation strategy confirming the Group’s policy of foreign deployments it has been pursuing over the past years in its main operating markets institutions and partners in general to know that Danobatgroup has a firm sound and long-term commitment to the Chinese market that now dates back almost 30 years Direct investments such as this new centre of excellence reflect the importance Danobatgroup attributes to China in its international strategy” The new centre of excellence was inaugurated on 21 November this year at a ceremony presided over by Danobatgroup’s CEO accompanied by sundry delegates from the group’s different companies which also involved a series of interesting support activities provided an opportunity to show the group’s customers and local authorities the revamped range of value-added services Danobatgroup now offers its Chinese customers through this new centre of excellence Fagor Arrasate has today marked the tenth anniversary of its plant in Shanghai (China) with a technology forum in which over a hundred customers have been given the opportunity to see at first hand the latest advances and developments in presses metal processing and production lines for home appliances The event held at the Kunshan plant has been attended by delegates from China’s leading companies in the sectors of automotive metal processing and the manufacture of home appliances we have consolidated our position as a benchmark producer of presses automatic stamping installations and cutting lines involving both steel and aluminium in China a country to which we shall continue to be firmly committed as part of our internal deployment” innovation and local development in China that is reflected in the Kunshan Government’s recognition of the company’s track record in the country making the plant’s manager an honorary citizen Following a tour of the plant’s facilities participants have had the opportunity to attend a series of presentations on new developments in platforms and materials for the automotive industry and see the answers Fagor Arrasate has to the challenges posed by new light materials The new developments in aluminium stamping systems high-speed and high-performance presses and the latest trends in the production of home appliances have also been one of the event’s main focuses A number of major customers have also spoken about the success of their cooperation with Fagor Arrasate over these years and the value it has contributed to their projects The events marking this anniversary will be rounded off with a “Family Open-Day” when employees will show the facilities to their families and explain their daily work to them In addition to this major production plant with 120 employees Fagor Arrasate`s presence in China is completed by two commercial delegations located in Beijing and Shanghai The Miramar Palace in Donostia has been the venue chosen by the Spanish Business Confederation of the Social Economy (CEPES) for the official presentation of ASETT Arizmendiarrieta Social Economy Think Tank the Stirling Center has been a cornerstone of knowledge generation and specialization in Stirling technology driven by an industrial project led by MONDRAGON´s Components Division Sign In Register