The labelling machinery manufacturer stands out for having the most complete range of high speed and reliability equipment on the market

Label Factory, a company based in Biscay (concretely in Boroa, Amorebieta), is dedicated to the manufacture of a complete range of cutting-edge equipment to carry out labelling tasks. “Next year onwards, – says José María Lambea, promoter of the project – we will begin to approach our activities aimed at internationalization with more intensity, since until now we have had to dedicate more time to the tasks of creation and implantation of the factory”.

The Label Factory creation project began five years ago with the commitment of two entrepreneurs with experience in the world of latest generation labelling machinery. This sector was managing to function with a remarkable degree of success in the adverse circumstances of the economic crisis. From the beginning, the company’s business plans have contemplated the orientation of the production both to the interior and to the international markets, mainly those of northern Europe and Latin America. However, the managers of the company have so far not been able to consider intensively distributing its machinery abroad. “Until now, we have just partially addressed the issue of internationalization, because you cannot fully go abroad if you do not fully guarantee that all the machines will operate correctly, since you cannot start by failing any customer”, Lambea says.

Training as a challenge

“The start-up of a company like ours,” he continues, “besides the financial difficulties it represents, is quite complex in terms of staff training and optimization of the manufacturing process. Most of the competitors in the sector are in Madrid and Barcelona and, consequently, there are no personnel here trained in the different technologies involved in the manufacture of these machines. We are giving the opportunity to young people graduated by specialized vocational schools in mechanics, electricity or robotics, but who do not know all the technologies we need. Our machines combine pneumatics, electronics, electricity, software, programming, etc. so, training staff in so many disciplines and avoiding logical initial manufacturing errors is complex and time-consuming”.

Growth prospects

The automatic labelling machines developed by Label Factory are having a good reception in the market, especially among companies with big manufacturing volumes and high labelling speeds such as bottlers and food companies, which suppose about 70% of their customers. Equipment for high-performance manufacturing lines that remain working for 24 hours a day have also been well received. The managers of Label Factory hope that the high quality and precision of their equipment will serve to strengthen the growth of the company. “The recovery of the economic and consumption situation will help us grow in the coming years; we have made offers for different projects that confirm this”.

Support to entrepreneurs

The Label Factory business project has obtained in the Basque Country the support of different public and private entities that have been an important boost for its promoters. Seed Capital Bizkaia, Beaz and Spri on the public side, as well as banking entities have supported it. “In the Basque Country – emphasizes José María Lambea – we have a good ecosystem of aid, well developed for many years, which accumulates great experience. What we value most about it is the external validation support that it brings to the business project and the consequent psychological and emotional support that it gives to its promoters. Passing the successive controls of these entities and the fact that they have fully trusted our way of working, has given us a crucial mood to carry the project forward”.