Interview Josep Mª Gomes, Head of the Industrial Subcontracting Department of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce

We interview Josep Mª Gomes, Head of the Industrial Subcontracting Department of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce

1. What do you think about this year’s European Subcontracting Meeting?

It’s sector’s largest event in Spain. This year we are also seeing that the industry is being revived across Europe, as there are many buyers from Western Europe, mainly France and Germany. In total 208 subcontractors will meet with around 100 buyers these days, and more than 1,000 meetings have already been set up in 439 agendas.

2. What opportunities does this format offer compared to other initiatives?

The event is probably different to other marketplaces because it is more ‘artisan’. A methodical process is carried out beforehand to identify buyers. We ask each buyer about the type of activity they are looking for (size of parts, series, materials, etc.) and then we send this information to subcontractors. Subcontractors request interviews and it’s always the buyer who agrees to them. That way we ensure that the interest is mutual.

3. Statistically, what’s the rate of success in terms of participants achieving their goals?

About 30% of buyers subcontract one of the companies they interview in less than a year. It’s difficult to know the exact numbers because many of the projects take place after a year. Projects in this sector tend to develop in the long term.

4. In which markets or sectors do Spanish subcontractors currently find more business opportunities? Are there any new countries? If so, why?

We think that the French market offers the most opportunities right now, although the German market is also important thanks to the effort of Chambers of Commerce and entities like Bilbao Exhibition Centre, who have worked hard to promote Spanish subcontracting in this country, and new and very interesting projects are arising. Rather than specific countries we tend to look for projects and good buyers, and in general the demand comes mainly from Western Europe.

5. How do buyers see the current situation of our subcontracting companies? How have guest companies responded? What are the main things they demand?

Technically speaking they believe that they are just as well prepared as their usual suppliers. Spain has a long industrial tradition. We work in many cutting edge sectors internationally (automotive, aeronautics, aerospace, rail, telecommunications, renewable energy, nuclear, etc.) and have a wide range of industrial subcontractors offering their services and technological solutions to each one of these industrial sectors. Some of them probably need more international promotion and marketing, though.

6. Anything else you would like to mention?

I would just like to thank BEC for the work and involvement in this sector, which has turned Subcontratación into the sector’s most important trade fair. We are sure that it will be a very profitable fair for all participants.