AI is playing a crucial role in improving our efficiency and ability to innovate
Looking firmly to the future, without losing sight of the lessons learned, and applying an innovative focus, Aitor López de Letona, managing director of Aratubo, is talking to us about the crucial role of digitisation and artificial intelligence in the company’s evolution.
This interview analyses how the integration of new technologies has enabled us to remain at the forefront of our sector, highlighting our commitment to sustainability and ongoing innovation.
You can read the full chat with the Basque Business Development Agency – Grupo Spri below, where the managing director of Aratubo explains the progress that is defining the company’s future.
Interview with Aitor López de Letona – Managing Director of Aratubo
History is not synonymous with tradition and there are many cases of companies in which, even with a long trajectory, implementing new technologies enables them to continue clocking up the years. In the case of Aratubo, dedicated to the manufacture of precision welded tubes, with a clear multi-sector focus, digitisation is deeply integrated into its production processes and logistics.
Aratubo belongs to Grupo Arania, founded in 1940 with the launch of Arania in Bizkaia. In 1971, a plant was opened in Amorebieta dedicated to cold rolling, profiles and welded tubes. Twenty years later, the group branched out with the creation of AR Systems (today AR Shelving), specialising in lightweight shelving, and in 1997 Aratubo was launched in Júndiz, Álava. The last diversification was in 2004, with the incorporation of AR Racking, specialising in global industrial storage solutions.
Aratubo has various milestones along the way, with notably fast growth. In 2008, eleven years after it began, it incorporated a fourth production line. A year later, in 2009, it was consolidated as an integral supplier for one of its leading sectors, automotion. In addition, in 2016, it extended its installations, with a second building of 14,000 square metres, and acquired its fifth line. The sixth came in 2017 and, twelve months later, a third building in Júndiz, of 24,000 square metres. In addition, last year, it added its seventh production line.
Currently, 90% of our production is destined for export, and we are present in more than 25 countries, and the European Union is our main reference market.”
The secret of our growth lies in identifying and prioritising strategic challenges
These include projects such as the optimisation of automatic warehousing, full production traceability and the application of computer vision to detect defects during tube manufacture. Artificial intelligence is playing a crucial role in improving our efficiency and ability to innovate.
In this regard, since late 2022, Aratubo has been a member of the Basque Artificial Intelligence Centre (BAIC), which had enabled it to make progress in integrating AI into its processes:
We are currently implementing various projects aimed at using simulations to develop new materials and products, and support engineering and manufacture”.
The reality is that, at Aratubo, digitisation is deeply integrated in our production and logistics processes.
We have developed advanced real-time monitoring systems that optimise the efficiency of our operations, reducing our energy consumption and waste materials. This focus not only improves our productivity, but also reinforces our commitment to sustainability”
The smart factory concept is one of our medium-term priorities
López de Letona describes the alliance with BAIC as strategic, an action that has provided access to specialised training in AI, state-of-the-art technology and real-life cases of use.
The centre also has acted as a technological partner, providing a key legal framework on AI regulations. This was crucial to adopt technologies ethically and in compliance with the current regulations. At the same time, the BAIC promotes a collaborative ecosystem that facilitates connections between companies, institutions and experts, enabling us to stay up to date with the latest trends in AI and actively participate in the technological evolution of the sector”.
Applied Artificial Intelligence and Data Strategy Program
At the same time, Aratubo is participating in the Applied Artificial Intelligence and Data Strategy Program, promoted by Grupo SPRI, where it has presented three projects related to quality control of tubes using AI, computer vision and deep learning. Regarding other programs promoted by the group, the company is finalising the RAD+ project, on the development of new high-resistance rectangular tubes with high radius, thanks to Hazitek grants.
With a view to the future, through advanced digitisation, systems connectivity and real-time data analysis, Aratubo en route to increasingly autonomous and efficient operations. This will not only reduce operating costs, but also improve our commitment to the environment by minimising the consumption of resources and the generation of waste”.
Capital increase with Finkatuz
In addition, Grupo Arania has signed a capital increase of 15 million euros with Finkatuz, the strategic fund managed by the Basque Finance Institute (IVF).
Resulting from months of analysis and collaboration with the Basque Government, this will reinforce the positioning of the whole group as a leader in steel processing and industrial benchmark at European level. The initiative falls within the framework of the institutional strategy to encourage economic growth, promote business establishment, boost international expansion and consolidate the industrial fabric in the Basque Country”.