The CEO of Eiffage Energía Sistemas and Eiffage’s representative in Spain, José Manuel Martínez, chaired his final General Meeting of ADEMI, held at its Madrid training centre.
At this meeting, he stepped down as chairperson after four years in office, passing the baton to José María Castillo Lacabex, CEO of Cobra Instalaciones y Servicios, in a board meeting held after the general meeting.
During his address, Martínez reviewed the sector’s evolution and future challenges, along with the actions being implemented by ADEMI through its various committees.
Revival of industrial activity in Spain
He thanked the companies that make up ADEMI for their support and highlighted the reactivation of industrial activity in Spain. He emphasized the significant economic growth in various sectors, such as installations and industrial maintenance.
The outgoing ADEMI chairperson also referred to the renewable energy sector, which has seen remarkable growth in recent years.
“Spain has broken records in renewable energy production, generating numerous job opportunities in this field,” he stated.
According to Martínez, “electrification is key to reducing emissions to achieve a decarbonised world by 2050. And that is the goal”. He explained, “the presence of our companies in all electrification processes makes us a crucial sector for achieving these objectives.”
ADEMI’s activity
Regarding ADEMI’s activities, Martínez reviewed the efforts of the various committees. The Labour Committee is addressing collective bargaining in 2024, focusing on significant issues such as permanent contracts tied to construction projects.
He mentioned the association’s resistance to the inclusion of subcontracting, which unions are strongly pushing, often with the support of some metalworking employers.”
Safety and Occupational Risk Prevention
ADEMI is a leader in Spain regarding safety and occupational risk prevention requirements.
“The level of requirement is very high, but it is important to note that the level of involvement is also high”, Martínez pointed out. He highlighted aspects such as raising awareness and changing attitudes through training (over 14,453 workers have been trained at ADEMI’s Training Centres), creating a forum for continuous improvement in prevention among electrical companies and ADEMI, and promoting technology in favour of safety.
On the other hand, the Training Committee is working to address the shortage of qualified professionals in the sector, emphasizing the need to engage young people to secure their future.
“ADEMI is committed to attracting new professionals to the sector,” the association’s chairperson affirmed, explaining that this is being done by seeking already trained professionals from outside Spain and training new professionals within the sector. “Either through training the unemployed or exploring the dual vocational training model,” he detailed.
Environmental management and sustainability
Another important focus for ADEMI is environmental management and sustainability.
The Quality, Innovation, and Environment Committee sets out specific actions to reduce the carbon footprint (with reductions exceeding 40% by 2030). This involves acting on the entire value chain to reduce indirect emissions and adapting the structures and activities of our companies to improve their resilience to climate change. The work being done by the Association, supported by the momentum of our companies, is extensive and significant. And as I said at the start of my speech, the support of all ADEMI companies gives us the strength to better defend our sector.
Martínez concluded his speech by emphasizing the importance of establishing a working framework “in which we achieve safe and profitable companies capable of generating wealth. Without profitability and wealth generation, no human activity is sustainable.”
