The Director of People and the Director of Innovation share with undergraduate students a global perspective on key topics such as business strategy, innovation, talent development, and the main challenges facing the industrial sector

This week, we took part in the lecture series organized by the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) as part of the course "Approach to Industry", aimed at students of the Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering (GIM) and the Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Electronics and Automation Engineering (GIEIA).

Representing Factor, Ana Mª Sánchez Escribano, Director of People, and Alfredo Giménez, Director of Innovation, participated in the session, offering a practical and comprehensive overview of our organization. They addressed key topics such as business strategy, innovation, talent development, and the major challenges currently facing the industrial sector.

They also shared personal experiences, key career decisions, and insights into a constantly evolving industry, sparking a meaningful dialogue with the students around professional opportunities, creativity, decision-making, teamwork, and interpersonal relationships in the workplace.

These types of initiatives help strengthen the connection between academia and industry, giving future engineers the chance to understand how the knowledge acquired in areas such as management, quality, human resources, marketing, design, production, logistics, and sales is applied in real-world scenarios.

At Factor, we would especially like to thank Professor Lorenzo Solano García, from the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering and researcher at the Institute of Design and Manufacturing at UPV, for his kind invitation and for giving us the opportunity to be part of this enriching educational experience.

We remain fully committed to fostering young talent and strengthening the bond between universities and the industrial world.

The open day “Knowing your (cyber)enemy: Innovation in the digital battlefield” has been organized by S2 Grupo and the Club for Innovation of the Valencian Community (CICV)

Last Thursday, Factor Ingeniería y Decoletaje has attended the open day “Knowing your (cyber)enemy: Innovation in the digital battlefield” organized by S2 Grupo and the Club for Innovation of the Valencian Community (CICV). An unmissable event for those committed to innovation and continuous improvement, especially in an area as sensitive and crucial as industrial cybersecurity.

Representing Factor, Alfredo Giménez, Director of Innovation, together with Lucas Gastaldo and Marc Gastaldo, participated in a full agenda focused on the main challenges and opportunities offered by artificial intelligence, cyberintelligence and open innovation in the digital protection of organizations. These technologies are revolutionizing the way in which companies face the threats of the digital environment.

The day combined conferences, technical demonstrations and networking spaces, in addition to sharing real experiences and solutions applied to the security of critical and industrial infrastructures.

The experience began with a welcome from Paco Gavilán, president of Club Innovación and Nunsys Group, and Miguel Juan, founding partner of S2 Grupo.

Miguel Juan then opened the program with the conference “Innovation as a strategic pillar in European cybersecurity”, in which he connected the history of a building that has remained at the forefront of technological services.

Afterwards, Jordi Oliver, Business Innovation Manager at S2 Grupo, gave the presentation “S2X Open Innovation: Strategic Collaborations in Cybersecurity”, where he highlighted the opportunities that open innovation offers to generate synergies between companies, partners and suppliers.

Ana Isabel Prieto, R&D at S2 Grupo, presented “Learning from the invisible: AI-driven threat hunting through process behavior modeling”. A clear and didactic presentation on how Artificial Intelligence can identify threat patterns and distinguish them from authorized operations, progressively learning from the behavior of systems.

David Juan San Valero, Cybersecurity of Control Systems at S2 Grupo, gave a practical demonstration in S2 Grupo's Industrial Laboratory, focused on the detection and analysis of vulnerabilities in real industrial environments.

The meeting concluded with a speech by Joaquín Membrado, secretary general of Club Innovación, who presented the activities and upcoming events of the CICV. Then, the attendees enjoyed a guided tour of the facilities of S2 Grupo by David Tomas, territorial director of the Levante and Andalusia area of S2 Grupo.

From Factor we thank S2 Grupo and the Club for Innovation of the Valencian Community for this learning and networking opportunity, which has allowed us to learn first hand about emerging technologies and to deepen in the strategies and technologies needed to strengthen security.

We are fully aware of the need to maintain constant vigilance against the growing threats affecting the industry. Artificial Intelligence and the current geopolitical situation pose new challenges in terms of cybersecurity, and it is essential to be at the forefront to ensure the continuity and security of operations.

The program included a visit to our facilities, where attendees were able to learn in depth about our machining and bar turning, metrology and Smart Manufacturing solutions

Factor Ingeniería y Decoletaje has participated in the board meeting of the Asociación Española del Mecanizado y la Transformación Metalmecánica (AFMEC), held in Valencia on March 13th and 14th.

During the official meeting, which took place at the Hub Empresa of Banco Sabadell, several strategic points were addressed, including a detailed analysis and a round of the current situation. The meeting also followed up on key issues such as the 2025 Assembly, the 2024 report, the recruitment of new associates, the Industry Summit Madrid event, the grouped participations, the development of the virtual classroom and the review of the results of the Training Needs Assessment. In addition, the annual accounts for 2024 were presented and reviewed, and the programming of AFMEC's future activities was followed up.

The program of activities also included technical visits to the headquarters of Stadler Rail, a leading company in the railway field, and to our facilities, where attendees were able to learn in depth about our machining and bar turning, metrology and Smart Manufacturing solutions.

Also, throughout these days, a lunch and dinner were held, which facilitated the exchange of experiences and strengthened the professional relationships between the participating companies.

The meeting was attended by Ana Gorrotxategi, Josu Riezu Arregui and Xabier Ortueta Mendía (AFMEC); in addition to our general manager, Fernando Gastaldo Lázaro, Antonio Alot Beramendiz (Alot Metal); Aurelio Rafael Guzón and Francesc Xavier Vidal Beneito (Fabricación y Mantenimiento, S.A.U.); Ángel Pérez de la Mata Fernández-Castrillón (Ferroloiu, S. A.L.); Aitor Txurruka Motriko (Goimek S.Coop.); Beltrán Ybarra Malo de Molina (Izadi Mecanizados S.L.); Iñaki Mancisidor Sololuce (Mecanizados Mandrinados Mancisidor, S.L.); Santiago Francisco Vela Iglesia (Tecnoven Servicio y Tecnología, S.L.), and as guests attended Miguel Ángel Vila (Lemar Leben Group) and Javier González Sanz (Sauritech, S.L.);

From Factor we thank the active participation of all the attendees and we especially acknowledge the organizational effort made by AFMEC. In addition, we reiterate our firm commitment to continue promoting development, innovation, sectorial collaboration and industrial excellence.

Factor's fundamental pillars for this new year are: innovation, sustainability, internationalization and talent development

Factor begins 2025 with the determination to consolidate the growth of the last three years, strengthen its competitiveness and continue to advance in innovation and sustainability. In an international context marked by geopolitical uncertainty and changes in tariff policies, the company maintains its roadmap, adapting to the challenges with measures that reinforce its resilience and allow it to take advantage of new opportunities.

A 2024 of growth and achievements

The balance of 2024 has been very positive. Factor has experienced sustained growth in its turnover, has expanded its team with the incorporation of talent and has strengthened its innovative DNA through the implementation of advanced technologies that have improved its own competitiveness and that of its customers. All this lays the foundations for facing the challenges of 2025 with confidence and strategic vision.

Innovation and technological transformation

The machine tool and machining sector is in a permanent innovation, with the adoption of enabling technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), automation and robotics, allowing processes to be more robust and efficient. In this context, Factor is committed to integrating these technologies into its production processes to ensure efficiency, accuracy and competitiveness. Digital transformation is no longer an option, but an indispensable requirement to lead the market.

Expanding and improving production capacity

In line with its growth strategy, Factor has designed an ambitious and sustainable investment plan aimed at strengthening its competitiveness and production capacity. The inauguration of its new 2.000 m² facilities is scheduled for mid-2025, which will enable it to expand production and support its customers in the development of high value-added projects.

Strategies to strengthen the sector

Factor bases its strategy on five fundamental pillars: sustainability, cutting-edge technology, innovation in processes and products, internationalization and talent development. It also seeks to strengthen cooperation with its strategic partners - customers, suppliers, universities, technology centers and professional associations - to generate synergies and promote the growth of the sector.

Commitment to sustainability

Sustainability is a priority in Factor's strategy, not only as a declaration of intentions, but also as a real commitment to society and future generations. The company is committed to responsible and sustainable growth based on collaboration with all the players in the industrial ecosystem, including the Administrations that play a key role in this process.

Talent development and continuous training

For Factor, talent management is key to the future of the company. Without talent there is no future, and its development must be on the agenda. For this reason, it is committed to innovation in training, promoting initiatives that awaken interest, facilitating its attraction and retention, incorporating technology in training methodologies and exploring the potential of Artificial Intelligence. In addition, it will continue to promote collaboration with universities, vocational training institutes and technology centers, through internship programs, scholarships, dual vocational training (FP) or workplace training (FCT), essential strategies to attract talent and ensure the generational change in the sector.

Strategic alliances and European projects

Factor will continue to strengthen its collaboration network with academic institutions (universities, vocational training institutes), industry associations (FEMEVAL, VALMETAL, AFM, ASECAM or the Chamber of Commerce) and technology centers. As strategic allies, these synergies are key to address the major challenges of the sector and enhance competitiveness at national and international level.

In addition, it will continue to focus on collaboration under the consortium model, not only at the European level, but also in national and regional projects. The concept of open innovation is particularly enriching, as it allows to generate positive synergies among consortium members, broaden perspectives and explore new solutions developed by other players in the innovation ecosystem. Participating in the same project together with a technology center in Malaga, a university in Greece and companies from different European countries, to a total of thirteen partners, is a highly enriching experience.

Values that will guide this 2025

Trust, commitment, respect and collaboration are the values that guide Factor, pillars on which its decisions and strategies are based. In 2025, it also reaffirms its commitment to innovation, sustainability and talent development, transforming challenges into opportunities and consolidating its position as a benchmark in the sector.