We analyze the most important Saspi’s milestones or challenges that Saspi has faced and will face in the future.

We review the major challenges that Saspi has faced and will face in the future thanks to the interview with Mikel Zaldua, Project Engineer and Marketing Manager at Saspi, with more than 10 years of experience in the company.

2022 has been a year full of novelties and challenges for the machine tool sector, highlighting the price increase and the shortage of raw materials and electrical components, which have marked this year.

Saspi, dedicated to the design and manufacture of machines for fasteners, has faced these challenges and has more than overcome them, thanks to its ease of adaptation to the new circumstances and its involvement in offering solutions with the highest quality and the latest technology incorporated.

“By not depending on anyone, we can make decisions and provide answers more quickly.” – Mikel Zaldua, Project Engineer and Marketing Manager at Saspi.

This has been achieved thanks to its focus on the customer: with a close and personalized treatment to find the best solution in each case.

 

RAPID ADAPTATION TO CHANGE

The pandemic has forced many companies to change certain aspects of their business. How have you managed to overcome this challenge at Saspi?

 

Our main market is aviation, and the pandemic was a severe blow to our customers because there was no travel and no airplanes were being manufactured. As a result, the aviation fastener manufacturers had to reduce their workforces in order to keep going.

In this problem they saw the need to modernize the machines they had in order to be able to produce with less labor and so we were able to receive orders for machines.

On the other hand, the system for receiving and accepting machines has changed. Now there are more online meetings even to present and receive machines via video call.

 

How has the fastener tooling and machinery industry changed?

I think that as in other industries, what has changed the most in the machine tool industry is the connectivity of the machines. The need to share data to improve machine productivity and better track machine status.

International demand for machines has also increased, as has been the case in China in recent years. Saspi has always been an exporting company from the beginning, so internationalization is part of our DNA. We currently estimate that we export 90% of our production.

 

How does Saspi manage to adapt to changes in the sector?

We attend seminars and courses as well as trade fairs and other sectors of interest to keep abreast of the latest developments. In addition, we have a fully equipped R&D department that works to adapt to all the changes in the sector with the latest technology.

“We always listen to the opinions and concerns of our customers, this allows us to learn from them and get to know their needs first hand.” – Mikel Zaldua, Project Engineer and Marketing Manager at Saspi.

 

OUR VALUES: PROXIMITY AND PERSONALIZED SERVICE

Do you have clients who have been with you since the beginning?

We have current customers who have been with us for more than 40 years. There are many who have changed names and owners but remain loyal to Saspi when it comes to purchasing machines.

 

What do you do to maintain a close and lasting relationship with your customers?

We are a company that thanks to our size, we can be very close to our customers and treat each case in a personalized way, knowing their needs and concerns and giving them the best possible response or solution.

In addition, our contact with the client does not end once the project is delivered, we have an after-sales follow-up that also stands out for its proximity to the client.

 

COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY

Environmental awareness has been gaining importance in recent years. Do you carry out any action related to sustainability?

At Saspi we are in a constant search to be more sustainable and we carry out daily actions with the aim of helping the environment:

  • There are several recycling points throughout the company with bins identified for the different materials to be recycled.
  • We have modernized the heating in the assembly area and have replaced the roof with one that improves thermal insulation and lets in more natural light.
  • The company’s urban location allows 70% of the workers to walk or cycle to Saspi.

How do Saspi machines help to improve the energy efficiency of the processes?

Today’s Saspi machines are more energy efficient than the machines of a few years ago. They are equipped with highly efficient IE3 electric motors that meet the latest quality standards. In addition, we have optimized the entire pneumatic system of the machine so that compressed air consumption is kept to a minimum.

 

FUTURE CHALLENGES FOR SASPI

What are the challenges that will mark the coming year 2023 and how do you plan to meet them?

We expect raw material and component prices to stabilize and delivery times to improve. For our part, we will do everything we can to improve our lead times and enhance the customer experience with Saspi.

 

Do you foresee a change in industry trends in the coming year?

The automotive industry has been in a situation of uncertainty for a few years now, due to government regulations and the fact that the right direction for manufacturers is still unclear. We believe that the production of electric cars will increase and, as a result, the demand for washer bolts will also rise.

 

How does Saspi plan to adapt to these?

To adapt to these changes in the industry, we will review our washer incorporator systems for constant improvement and to provide solutions to customer requirements. On the other hand, we will focus on developing new solutions for second operations in the fastener industry.

 

Machine learning has gained prominence in recent years. In the case of machinery and tools for fasteners, do you think it is important to incorporate this technology?

It is essential to incorporate this technology in machines. This will help us, thanks to machine learning, to better understand the operation of the machines, their aging and the real needs of production.

 

You can learn more about Saspi and our range of solutions on our website.

Do you have any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact our team of experts. We will offer you a fully customized advice to find the best solution in your case.