THE HARDWARE AND INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY SECTOR REACHES 455 MILLION EUROS IN TURNOVER IN 2023, THE HIGHEST FIGURE IN ITS HISTORY

19 March, 2024TURNOVER AND EXPORTS

The companies associated with ESKUIN, Clúster de la Ferretería y el Suministro Industrial, made up of manufacturers of hand tools and locksmithing, achieved at the close of 2023 a turnover of 455 million euros, which represents a growth of 2.8% compared to 2022 and an all-time record turnover.

"2023 has been a positive year in terms of turnover despite the fact that we started the year with a lot of uncertainty due to high inflation, and a convulsive international scenario. We have defended the figures well, which have rebounded year on year from their decline in 2020, to reach our record in 2023, although the number of units sold, as well as margins, have declined slightly. Despite the fact that the European economic forecasts were not particularly optimistic, the year got off to a strong start. During the second half of the year, however, we noticed a slight slowdown in sales," says Pablo Izeta, president of ESKUIN.

Sales performance has been uneven in the domestic and international markets. While sales in the domestic market grew by 6.9% to 222 million euros, exports fell by 0.9% to 232 million euros.

In the analysis by customer sectors in the domestic market, the industrial sector, which accounts for 41% of sales, is the sector that has grown the most, with a 10.9% increase over the previous year. Construction, which accounts for 52% of sales, grew by 5.5%. On the other hand, the third destination sector, agriculture, which represents 8% of sales, has suffered a 7% drop with respect to the previous year, mainly due to the drought we are suffering in many areas of the country.

The distribution of international sales follows the trend of recent years: the European Union continues to be the main export market, accounting for 75% of the total, followed by America with 12%, the Middle East with 6%, Africa with 3%, Eastern Europe with 2%, and Asia and Oceania with 2%.

As for the main export destinations in 2023, France topped the list representing 8.4% of total foreign sales, followed by the United States with 6%, Portugal with 4.6%, and Germany with 3%.

The sector maintains great stability in employment with a figure of close to 1,900 people employed, repeating the figure of recent years.

EISENWARENMESSE: THE WORLD'S LEADING TRADE FAIR FOR THE INDUSTRY

The Eisenwarenmesse, the world's leading trade fair for the hand tool and industrial supply sector, was held in Cologne (Germany) from March 3 to 6. ESKUIN has been present with a group participation of 11 associated companies.

In the words of ESKUIN's president: "After our participation in the fair, we can proudly confirm that we are, together with Germany, one of the leading European countries in the manufacture of premium tools. Although the hand tool is a mature product, investing in R&D and quality, placing the customer at the center, allows us to evolve in parallel to their needs, being able to offer the market solutions of the highest level".

The Cologne trade fair brought together 3,200 exhibitors and nearly 38,000 visitors, of whom 92% and 70% respectively were international.

Regarding the increase in Asian exhibitors and visitors, Pablo Izeta points out: "The threat of the Asian product persists, and we are aware that to remain competitive we have to invest in talent, learn quickly, and invest in technology and sustainability as key factors of competitiveness. Our brand prestige, product and market knowledge, and adaptable and efficient production plants are the competitive advantages with which we must face our competitors".

FORECAST 2024

At the beginning of the year, the outlook is good and, based on the good level of business confidence of ESKUIN's associates, sales are expected to remain the same or even improve slightly compared to the previous quarter. One of the main objectives for this year will be to recover the margins that have been eroded in recent years.

AFM CLUSTER, THE COUNTRY'S LEADING INDUSTRIAL ECOSYSTEM IN SEARCH OF INDUSTRIAL TALENT

ESKUIN is one of the associations that make up AFM CLUSTER, an organization comprising nearly 800 companies belonging to the advanced and digital manufacturing sector that makes up the main and most powerful industrial hub in the country: manufacturers and importers of manufacturing technologies such as machine tools and 3D printing, manufacturers of components and cutting tools, hand tools, machining and metal-mechanical transformation companies, automation technologies, robotics and industrial digitization, and startups with an industrial orientation.

A sector in need of incorporating qualified technical talent into its companies, which means that AFM CLUSTER is leading several initiatives in the field of talent, with the focus on attracting young people and raising awareness of the professional opportunities offered by the advanced manufacturing sector.

Pablo Izeta: "We are a sector that offers an interesting professional career along with good working and financial conditions. The key to attracting and retaining talent lies in putting people at the center, giving them autonomy and support to achieve maximum commitment to the project".

FEATURED EVENTS 2024

MAY 17: ESKUIN GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND ADVANCED MANUFACTURING DAY, Kursaal Auditorium, San Sebastián

3-7 JUNE: BIEMH, INTERNATIONAL MACHINE-HERRAMENT INTERNATIONAL BIENNIAL, Bilbao

SEPTEMBER 07-09: EXPO NACIONAL FERRETERA, Guadalajara, México

SEPTEMBER 17-20: SECURITY ESSEN, Essen, Germany

24-26 OCTOBER: CEO CONGRESS, Oporto, Portugal