The exhibition "Bergara to the World: Companies Shaping the Town" offers insight into Bergara's industrial past, its present-day industrial weight, and its international projection. It is organized by Enpresare, a collaborative network of companies from Bergara and its surroundings, with support from the Bergara City Council and the Laboratorium Museum. Inaugurated this afternoon in the Aroztegi hall, this event marked the start of the 11th edition of the ZTB Science, Technology, and Innovation Conference.
The inauguration featured addresses by Gorka Artola, mayor of Bergara; Carla Añón, executive director of Enpresare; and Unai Andueza, provincial deputy for Economic Promotion and Strategic Projects of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa. Also in attendance were Rosa Errazkin, director of Laboratorium Museoa; Alain Vivas, president of Enpresare; and Marije Unamuno, technician from the Development Service of the Bergara City Council.
The inauguration featured addresses by Gorka Artola, mayor of Bergara; Carla Añón, executive director of Enpresare; and Unai Andueza, provincial deputy for Economic Promotion and Strategic Projects of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa. Also in attendance were Rosa Errazkin, director of Laboratorium Museoa; Alain Vivas, president of Enpresare; and Marije Unamuno, technician from the Development Service of the Bergara City Council.
Mayor Gorka Artola recalled that the ZTB Conference "has become a benchmark space for bringing science, technology, and innovation closer to citizens in an accessible and participatory way." Research is the focus of this edition, and in the mayor's words, "they not only want to show the results but also the path behind them: curiosity, hypotheses, trials, and, why not, also mistakes." Regarding the exhibition, he highlighted that "projects born and rooted here also have a global projection, and that is a reason for pride."
Carla Añón, executive director of Enpresare, emphasized two ideas from the exhibition's title. Firstly, the international projection of Bergara's companies: “From a town like Bergara, we are capable of reaching any corner of the world. The parts and products manufactured here reach the entire planet.” Secondly, the link between these companies and the municipality: “Although they work worldwide, they are here, in our town. Here they generate employment and here they contribute to society and the town.”
According to Añón, industry is part of Bergara's identity, but “often, by having it so close, we are not aware of what is done in the companies around us or how far they reach.” Therefore, one of the exhibition's main objectives is "to make our companies known and to value the work they do and their contribution."
Provincial Deputy Unai Andueza highlighted Bergara's historical role in both industry and science. He also called for valuing the work of companies: “We often say that the heart of the machine tool industry is in Elgoibar, but we must remember that 50% of the industrial screws and fastening elements manufactured in Spain are made in Bergara, and that also needs to be valued.” He also emphasized the role of the ZTB Conference, now in its eleventh edition.
Seven and a half centuries of trajectory
The exhibition traces Bergara's historical journey from its founding in 1268 to the present day. Its strategic location between Vitoria-Gasteiz and the coastal ports boosted trade. In the Middle Ages, trades such as cutlery, scissor manufacturing, armory, and textiles laid the foundation for subsequent industrial development. The tour showcases key milestones in the municipality's history: the Royal Seminary, the isolation of tungsten by the Elhuyar brothers in 1783, the fame of the "azul Bergara" fabrics, the San Antonio Cotton Mill founded in 1846, the Blast Furnaces, the arrival of the railway, and the company MAYC S.A., which marketed some of Spain's first automatic washing machines. The exhibition also addresses the crisis of the 1970s and the subsequent restructuring. The link between education and industry is present throughout the exhibition, from the School of Arts and Crafts to the Miguel Altuna Vocational Training Center.
The exhibition traces Bergara's historical journey from its founding in 1268 to the present day. Its strategic location between Vitoria-Gasteiz and the coastal ports boosted trade. In the Middle Ages, trades such as cutlery, scissor manufacturing, armory, and textiles laid the foundation for subsequent industrial development. The tour showcases key milestones in the municipality's history: the Royal Seminary, the isolation of tungsten by the Elhuyar brothers in 1783, the fame of the "azul Bergara" fabrics, the San Antonio Cotton Mill founded in 1846, the Blast Furnaces, the arrival of the railway, and the company MAYC S.A., which marketed some of Spain's first automatic washing machines. The exhibition also addresses the crisis of the 1970s and the subsequent restructuring. The link between education and industry is present throughout the exhibition, from the School of Arts and Crafts to the Miguel Altuna Vocational Training Center.
Industry Today: Bergara's Economic Engine
Through data, the exhibition illustrates the importance of industry in Bergara today. The industrial sector accounts for 47.9% of the municipality's employment and generates 51.3% of local wealth.
As the exhibition highlights, the average personal income and per capita income in Bergara are above the averages for Debagoiena, Gipuzkoa, and the Basque Country. Furthermore, having job opportunities within the municipality allows young people to continue living and working in Bergara, contributing to attracting new families.
Through data, the exhibition illustrates the importance of industry in Bergara today. The industrial sector accounts for 47.9% of the municipality's employment and generates 51.3% of local wealth.
As the exhibition highlights, the average personal income and per capita income in Bergara are above the averages for Debagoiena, Gipuzkoa, and the Basque Country. Furthermore, having job opportunities within the municipality allows young people to continue living and working in Bergara, contributing to attracting new families.
Looking to the World, Rooted in the Town
The final section of the exhibition introduces the companies that are part of Enpresare. Each has its own panel, and a QR code provides access to more information about each company.
These companies operate in diverse sectors, including precision machining, screw machining, boilermaking, electrical solutions, thermal insulation, and treatments and products for kitchen professionals, among others. A world map shows the global destinations of products manufactured in Bergara.
Enpresare was founded in 2012, after the crisis, to collaboratively address new challenges. It currently brings together 27 companies, employing over 1,000 people and with a combined turnover exceeding 200 million euros.
The final section of the exhibition introduces the companies that are part of Enpresare. Each has its own panel, and a QR code provides access to more information about each company.
These companies operate in diverse sectors, including precision machining, screw machining, boilermaking, electrical solutions, thermal insulation, and treatments and products for kitchen professionals, among others. A world map shows the global destinations of products manufactured in Bergara.
Enpresare was founded in 2012, after the crisis, to collaboratively address new challenges. It currently brings together 27 companies, employing over 1,000 people and with a combined turnover exceeding 200 million euros.
The exhibition can be visited until November 15 in the Aroztegi hall during its opening hours. Admission is free.
ZTB Conference, with research as its core
The ZTB Conference will run until November 15. Research is the central theme of this edition, aiming to showcase not only the results but also the underlying process: how questions arise, how hypotheses are tested, and what can be learned from mistakes.
To this end, lectures, exhibitions, courses, and humorous monologues have been organized, among other activities, with the goal of bringing science, technology, and innovation closer to people of all ages and interests in an accessible and participatory manner.
The forum will include an exhibition of scientific posters, talks, and oral presentation sessions where young researchers will present their work. As the mayor pointed out at the inauguration, "it is essential to give visibility to new talent and for it to serve as a model and reference for future generations of scientists and researchers."
All activities are free. Full program: ztbergara.eus
The ZTB Conference will run until November 15. Research is the central theme of this edition, aiming to showcase not only the results but also the underlying process: how questions arise, how hypotheses are tested, and what can be learned from mistakes.
To this end, lectures, exhibitions, courses, and humorous monologues have been organized, among other activities, with the goal of bringing science, technology, and innovation closer to people of all ages and interests in an accessible and participatory manner.
The forum will include an exhibition of scientific posters, talks, and oral presentation sessions where young researchers will present their work. As the mayor pointed out at the inauguration, "it is essential to give visibility to new talent and for it to serve as a model and reference for future generations of scientists and researchers."
All activities are free. Full program: ztbergara.eus
