Cuenca joins the electric mobility industry this Tuesday thanks to the multinational Sumitomo Electric Bordnetze SEwhich officially inaugurated its 14,000 square meter facilities in the Los Palancares industrial zone of the capital, equipped with high technology and which has among its qualities being a pioneer in the implementation of automation in the manufacturing of cabling.
Institutions, representatives and shareholders of the Sumitomo Electric Bordnetze SE group from Japan and Germany and the main customer of this factory, the Volkswagen-SEAT group, participated in the inauguration of this factory in which they will produce high beams voltage for their vehicles. electric.
Production of the first prototypes will begin at the end of 2024 and mass deliveries at the beginning of 2026.. For the moment, the Volkswagen group is the only customer, but it does not have exclusivity on the factory, which could in the future manufacture for other brands.
During the opening ceremony of the factory, the Masanori Ibuki, CEO of Sumitomo in Spainwho confessed his particular satisfaction at being his first opening since his appointment last year.
Ibuki thanked the institutions, especially for their support in the opening of what is the twenty-third production plant in the world and the first in Spain, although they already had headquarters with other characteristics in Pamplona, where they arrived in 2001, and in Martorell. since 2012.
Sumitomo’s CEO highlighted the brand’s “exceptional adaptability” and proclaimed that he “firmly believes that this opening ushers in a new era.” He also highlighted the impact that this factory will have on the local community and its contribution “to regional development”.
He also addressed the first thirty employees that the multinational already has in Cuenca, of whom he appreciated their efforts, reminding them that they are joining “a global family of 36,000 people” and confirmed that they hope to reach 350 jobs in the capital of Cuenca around 2028.
Ibuki concluded by predicting “a bright future” and inviting all participants “to be part of this exciting journey.”
For his part, the General Manager of Sumitomo Electric Industries, Yoshiyuki Ogatahighlighted the company’s pride in supporting its customer Volkswagen’s “path to electric mobility” and said that this is “a significant step towards a sustainable future” with which “we will not only contribute to the economy of Cuenca, but also to innovation and sustainability.
Also participated in the event Director of Metal Purchasing at SEAT, José Luis Astorecawho thanked Sumitomo for its investment in this factory “which would not have been possible without the Future Fast Forward project, led by SEAT and the Volkswagen Group with our strategic partners”. Astoreca clarified that, thanks to this initiative, they are investing 10 billion euros to produce electric vehicles of their brands.
The representative of the automobile group declared that “electric mobility represents a revolution in the industry, promoting technological advances and creating new economic opportunities” and, faced with these challenges, he called for public-private collaboration to maximize them.
“The opening of this factory is a step forward in the creation of qualified and sustainable jobs,” added Astoreca, who stressed that for the first time in Europe “automation will be implemented in the manufacturing of cabling,” which will increase the competitiveness of the automotive group’s products “and places Spain in an electric mobility hub”.
For his part, the Mayor of Cuenca, Darío Dolzalso thanked Sumitomo Electric for the great effort to reach the city and provide an industrial boost “which I hope will attract more businesses.”
“It is a very exciting day when a different activity begins in the city,” celebrated Dolz, who asked the first workers of Sumitomo de Cuenca “to give everything for this project.”
For his part, the vice president of Castilla-La Mancha highlighted the importance of electric mobility “and we did not want Castilla-La Mancha and Cuenca to be excluded from a sector of the economy in which we expect that There will be plenty of room for growth.
Guijarro highlighted that Cuenca is walking this new journey hand in hand with an international reference like Sumitomo and one of the major European automotive groups like Volkswagen. “I know that the decision was not easy, that is why we thank you for trusting Cuenca and Castilla-La Mancha, we are not going to disappoint you,” Guijarro told the multinational’s investors .
The vice president recalled that they are already thinking about the development of industrial land around these facilities so that Sumitomo “can develop as much as necessary” and other companies in the sector can settle in the city of Cuenca. “We are committed to the industrialization of the capital and the province of Cuenca and we are very aware that this will depend on the success of the operation that Sumitomo is starting today,” said the representative of the regional government.
“We are a welcoming autonomous community,” concluded Guijarro, who reviewed different incentives, such as operating aid, that can benefit companies that want to set up in this province.
