LAZPIUR CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT

On the 5th of November the Basque company will celebrate its centenary year with an event presided over by the Lehendakari (Basque President) Iñigo Urkullu.

The company was first set up to produce shoes before moving on to the nail sector, and emerged from the last few decades as a leading company in the design and manufacture of forging tools and high-tech machinery.

This family business operates in 25 countries, supplying large multinational companies and employing a workforce of 112 people.

What was set out as a shoe factory in the early 20th century is now a modern company, operating in 25 countries, relied upon by key multinational companies operating in the automotive or electrical appliance sectors, to name a couple, Lazpiur will celebrate its Centenary year in 2014 with a public event held on the 5th of November presided over by the Lehendakari (Basque President) Iñigo Urkullu.

The Bergara-based company (in the Gipuzkoa province) is a prime example of a medium sized company in this area. It is rooted in the Alto Deba region, where Basque Cooperativism gained strength for over half a century. Its compromised industrial character has never faded since its beginnings. The company's founder, José Lazpiur Agirrebalzategi (grandfather of the current Managing Directors, Miguel and Agustín Lazpiur), was a firm believer back then that purchasing cutting edge technology enhanced business activity.

In its early beginnings the company was devoted to manufacturing shoes moving years later on to the nail sector. In any case, Lazpiur has always been linked to machinery and industrial activity.

Customer confidence prompted company growth, with a customer base which is increasingly international, demanding ever more complex products. Accordingly, the company evolved and now designs and produces forging tools and machinery. Two different sections which, for the most part, focus on supplying multinationals such as Ford, Mercedes, Volkswagen as well as TIER 1 suppliers such as Lear, GKN, NTN...

Lazpiur currently employs a workforce of 112 people, one of the company's main assets, and something it has always given special consideration to. This is a family company, now in its fourth generation.

The company is managed by Agustin and Miguel Lazpiur. The latter also held a responsible position at the Basque employer's association, Confebask, where he served as President from 2005 to 2011. He also served as Vice President of the Spanish employer's association (CEOE) and the Gipuzkoa-based organisation (Adegi).

The company's commitment to innovation lead to permanent collaboration with the technological platforms IK4 and Tecnalia. Lazpiur has already registered 20 invention patents.

Lazpiur's has simultaneously grown on an international scale with the company now operating in 25 countries. Operations in German, France and the United States of America are particularly noteworthy. Our brand's prestige lead to an invitation to the largest forging congress in the world (IFC, held in Berlin in July) to act as a keynote speaker to present the sector the latest forging tool trends with a view to the future.

Event on 5 November

Lazpiur will celebrate their first 100 years holding a public event on the 5th of November at the company's headquarters in Bergara. Over 150 guests are expected to attend, with the event presided over by the Lehendakari (Basque President), Iñigo Urkullu, as well as other local authorities.

Lazpiur has received various awards including the Korta Prize, which the Basque Government awarded Miguel Lazpiur in 2012 in recognition of his business achievements. The company also holds the highest quality certificates such as the Golden Q, obtained in 2006.