The products of the Molina-based company Bemasa Caps pass through the hands of thousands of consumers around the world every day. This veteran company specializes in the production of metal lids for sealing all types of canned goods, from caps-twist for glass jars, easy-open lids, to cans of various sizes. Mundolatas interviews its CEO, Ernesto García-Balibrea, who details the upcoming challenges faced by the Spanish company, one of the four largest producers in its sector in Spain.

• Founded in 1990, the company Bemasa, with 170 employees, currently distributes 900 million caps of different formats, exporting 45% of its production to international markets. Could you explain how this evolution has taken place over the years?

Bemasa Caps was a daring idea of several industrialists in Molina de Segura who, seeing an opportunity in the market for glass jar closures, took a risk and, not without little effort and with the work of an initial team tremendously involved and eager to move forward with a new business, were able to face a journey in which the current staff are still participants.

• At the same time, they continue to work to expand their industrial space, storage and production potential. What projects do you plan to launch soon?

During the company’s 32 years of existence, the growth dynamic has been constant, even in times of crisis, and we have expanded our product portfolio, incorporating easy-open lids at the beginning of the 21st century and developing new formats, some of them innovative in the market. One of our latest developments has been the oval lid for the American market and we are working, always in close cooperation with our customers, on new products that will see the light of day in the near future.

• Despite the problems that companies have faced, and are still facing, Bemasa Caps continues to grow, innovate and consolidate its results. What is the key to achieving this?

It is true that in recent years the results have been fairly stable, even in an increasingly unpredictable and changing world situation. We are very satisfied with the figures for 2021, a year in which we increased our EBITDA, net of the energy effect, by more than 30% compared to 2020.

The key to these results lies in several aspects: our company’s flexibility – both in terms of the number of formats manufactured and the versatility of our production lines; an exceptional technical team; and intensive work with our suppliers. All this has even allowed us to set trends, for example in technical matters, such as the thickness and ring design of the easy-open covers.

• Given the current delicate situation following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in addition to a rise in the prices of some raw materials and an increase in energy costs, is this affecting you in any way?

Even before the invasion of Ukraine, the situation was already becoming more complicated with price increases in steel never seen before in the sector and a sharp rise in transport prices. Added to all this was another unprecedented escalation in energy and gas prices, which is affecting everyone. This set of factors brings new daily challenges to face and we are certainly affected by this situation, but it has made us increase our efforts to look for innovative solutions that mitigate it in all aspects and that are bringing out the best in our team.

• Bemasa Caps has a subsidiary in Egypt, which has allowed it to consolidate its growth and internationalization process, making it a reference in its sector. What role is this plant playing in the company’s current project?

A project like this has been a huge challenge, as it was the first one carried out by Bemasa Caps abroad. In addition, it has been subjected, as I mentioned before, to a situation unknown in the world: pandemic, huge price increases, etc. This has meant, at times, a delay in the planned times, but we are very proud to have exceeded our expectations in 2021, closing a more than satisfactory fiscal year.

• What are the areas you plan to focus on to increase your business growth?

As is happening in many companies, the current variable situation has made us rethink our strategic plan due to the enormous changes taking place in the world, which are affecting a multitude of factors and modifying many aspects as we knew them. Now it makes more sense to make investments in areas or aspects that were not justified before, productivity changes in various regions of the world, modification of zonal competitive advantages, etc.

This will undoubtedly lead us, at the conclusion of the analysis of our strategic plan, to make restructuring decisions that will help us to gain new momentum and continue to strengthen the company.

We will also strengthen our area of innovation and new developments in order to continue improving our competitiveness and meet the new needs identified in the market, and we will do all of this in an increasingly sustainable manner, committed to our environment.

7.- Exportation has always been one of the objectives of Bemasa Caps. What is the current share of exports and in which countries do you foresee further growth?

Indeed, the foreign market is key for us. For Bemasa, internationalization is not a challenge but a sign of identity.

As for the most noteworthy areas, we are actually on all continents. In the American market, in particular, the development and adaptation of the easy-open oval lid has been a new challenge for us, achieving a solid product in the market. Our Asian competitors have even taken our cover as a model to adapt theirs, which demonstrates the high value of our development team. We want to continue growing in this market which, for us, has a very important potential and, why not? evaluating the option of developing “in situ” projects.

Another important market for us is Africa, where we already have a significant presence and where we are strengthening our presence again this year, increasing sales and also developing new innovative projects.

• In your opinion, how do you think Bemasa Caps will respond to the challenges that lie ahead in the short and medium term within its sector, and are you optimistic about this?

The situation, as we said, is not the most favorable, but we are positive. At Bemasa we are convinced that with hard work, dedication, analysis, effort and a lot of love for what we do, we will be able to continue with this great project that began in 1990. We will work in a new world in which more preparation, flexibility and tenacity are necessary to continue strengthening, growing and sailing, as Espronceda said, “without fear, that neither enemy ship, nor storm, nor storm, nor prosperity can bend your course, nor hold your courage”.