Esteban Bretcha, SIMON CEO, named the new president of the industrial innovation hub INDPULS.
- The CEO of the company SIMON succeeds Mercè Girbau in leading this industrial innovation initiative.
- INDPULS is an association promoted by fifteen industrial companies that share innovation initiatives to create corporate value and enhance the industrial ecosystem.
- The associated companies have an annual turnover of 8.452 billion euros and allocate an average of 3% to innovation.
INDPULS, a collaborative innovation space in the industrial sector, has appointed Esteban Bretcha, CEO of the company SIMON, as the trusted person to chair the entity. Bretcha, a senior executive of the multinational company dedicated to lighting, energy, and space management, recognized worldwide, succeeds Mercè Girbau, president of the Girbau Group, a leader in comprehensive textile care solutions, who successfully chaired the entity from its conceptualization, creation, and launch in 2022.
INDPULS was created to foster collaboration between large industrial companies and startups to strengthen the industrial innovation ecosystem in Catalonia. Currently, the fifteen companies that form INDPULS are a good example of the industrial strength of Catalonia, with a combined turnover of more than 8.452 billion euros and a total investment in innovation of more than 216 million euros.
The leadership experience and strategic vision of Esteban Bretcha will be fundamental in continuing to drive the growth of INDPULS, an association formed by renowned industrial companies with a long track record in their respective sectors: AKO, Alsina, ARaymond, Avinent, Grup Carinsa, Celsa Group, Comexi, Fluidra, Font Packaging Group, Frit Ravich, Grupo Girbau, MMM, Pastisart, Simon, and Vallformosa.
All the associates seek to create value through innovation and make the industrial sector a key asset for generating wealth and new opportunities. In 2023, INDPULS companies, all with a productive presence in Catalonia, employed 27,500 people worldwide and generated 6.412 billion euros in international sales (76% of the total turnover), demonstrating their ability to compete and thrive in global markets.
“The key to INDPULS is the generosity of the companies that are part of the association. We share difficulties, successes, challenges, and mistakes, to learn together and generate projects and solutions that seek to strengthen the industrial fabric in Catalonia, to create a quality and future-oriented industry that continues to generate wealth over the years,” highlights the new president, Esteban Bretcha.
Positive impact on the industrial innovation ecosystem
The objective of INDPULS is to boost the competitiveness of companies by creating corporate value through innovation and supporting startups to develop their activities in the industrial sector. Therefore, INDPULS promotes collaborative innovation among its members and also between members and other companies or startups in the industrial innovation ecosystem.
The commitment of the partner companies is high, with more than 70% participation in organized activities.
“It is very important the involvement of all companies, the succession, and new ideas. I am convinced that Esteban will give a new impulse to the Association and our shared purpose in this new stage.” Mercè Girbau, CEO of the Girbau Group and outgoing president of INDPULS
Currently, the Association is working on 2 projects related to regenerative industry in the field of decarbonization and circularity, which will involve significant advances in reducing carbon footprint and managing industrial waste.
Additionally, INDPULS promotes collaboration between startups and industrial companies through its Technology Radar and Startup Support Program, which this year celebrates its second edition. The success of these activities has translated into 8 active projects between INDPULS members and various tech-based startups.