Gabriel-Chemie Ibérica is celebrating its 10th anniversary, summarising a decade of plant development, intensification of cooperation with customers and integration within the international Gabriel-Chemie Group. From the outset, the Spanish subsidiary has been focused on regional support for customers in Spain and beyond, gradually increasing its importance within the group structure both as a production unit and as a customer service centre for various markets.
Initially, Gabriel-Chemie Ibérica operated from a small office employing three people. Over time, the location was transformed into a full-scale production plant, which currently employs around thirty staff members. As the team grew, the range of solutions for plastics processors expanded, and the technical capabilities of the site were systematically enhanced based on the know-how of the entire group.
The development of operations in Spain proceeded in parallel with the expansion of the geographical reach. The plant gradually moved beyond the Iberian market, directing its offer also to customers in South and Central America and in the United Kingdom. During this period, production capacity was consistently increased by adding new production lines and strengthening the team responsible for customer service.
Plant development and operational experience
Ten years of Gabriel-Chemie Ibérica’s activity is a period of intensive organisational and operational change. As emphasised by David Santiago, Head of Operations, Supply Chain & Administration at Gabriel-Chemie Ibérica, the beginning of operations was associated with a small-scale organisation that, in subsequent years, evolved into a production site with a several dozen-strong team. During this time, capabilities in serving various segments of the plastics market were systematically built up and the range of solutions for customers was expanded.
In statements from the site’s representative, the focus on quality and customer service is underlined. According to David Santiago, the past decade has been a demanding but at the same time rewarding period, in which maintaining high product quality while providing the best possible level of service played an important role. These experiences included both the expansion of production infrastructure and the integration of new employees, as well as the extension of activities to additional markets.
From a personal perspective, the plant’s development was also linked to intensive knowledge exchange within the group. The opportunity to visit other Gabriel-Chemie locations and cooperate with teams with diverse experience and technical backgrounds enabled know-how transfer, which translated into further strengthening of the Spanish unit’s capabilities. According to David Santiago, an important element of this process was also building a professional path within the company’s structures and using the development opportunities offered by the organisation.
Changing market environment and further growth prospects
In the view of Gabriel-Chemie Ibérica’s representatives, the market environment has changed rapidly in recent years. The speed of these processes required organisational flexibility and close cooperation within the entire group. David Santiago notes that thanks to the support from Gabriel-Chemie and the commitment of the team, the Spanish plant is prepared to continue operating in a dynamic environment and to face the challenges of the coming years. From the perspective of the stakeholders with whom the company cooperates, the goal remains the continuation of stable development and the strengthening of its market position.
The importance of the anniversary is also highlighted by head office representatives. Andreas Berger, Chief Commercial & Operating Officer of Gabriel-Chemie, points out that ten years of Gabriel-Chemie Ibérica’s presence represent an important milestone in the location’s development. He notes that the achievements of the Spanish team are the result of commitment, expertise and teamwork, which have contributed to consolidating the plant’s position within the group’s structure.
Masterbatch portfolio and support from the Gabriel-Chemie Group
Gabriel-Chemie Ibérica specialises in supplying customised masterbatch solutions for a wide range of applications in the plastics industry. The portfolio includes solutions developed with the requirements of specific applications and customers in mind, using the technological facilities and experience of the entire group.
The Spanish plant benefits from the international research and development capabilities of Gabriel-Chemie. Cooperation within the network of locations makes it possible to implement solutions developed at group level into the offer for local customers and to adapt them to the specifics of regional markets. In this way, Gabriel-Chemie Ibérica combines local presence with access to global know-how in masterbatch formulation and applications.
For the coming years, the key priorities remain stable development, strengthening long-term partnerships with customers and further consolidation of the company’s market presence. The company declares that it will focus on maintaining quality, developing its portfolio and continuing cooperation within the group’s international structure, which should further strengthen the role of the Spanish plant in serving customers from different regions.
The anniversary provides Gabriel-Chemie Ibérica with an opportunity to summarise its activities to date and to define directions for further development. The focus remains on close cooperation with customers and partners, as well as on consistently strengthening the position of the site within the global structure of the Gabriel-Chemie Group.
