Clockwork means, literally, “working like a clock”—that much is obvious! It is also obvious to Hijos de Juan de Garay, a Spanish based company specialized in cold drawn precision steel tubing and automotive tubular components, that providing critical automotive applications, require high performance.
Every year more than 100 million motorists depend on GARAY’s automotive tubular components turning their cars into success stories. Sometimes, being an industry leader just isn’t enough. Why? The simplest explanation is more likely the correct one. Innovation is one of the best attributes of a leader. Garay is not afraid of change. They think of new ways to get to the results Customers are looking for. They have the resources, expertise and talent to meet Customers’ needs. But often, the management of organizations fails to lead the people, and opts for contemporary management philosophies, processes and systems. Hijos de Juan de Garay treats their crew as valuable human capital and this… give them a measure of its success.
What matches, umbrella frames and automotive tubular components have in common?
GARAY is heir to a long tradition of industrial services both to the domestic and international community. The origins of Hijos de Juan de Garay date back to the 19th century. It was 1864 when Cornelio Garay Zuazubiscar started production of matches. This manufacturing activity brought new economic perspectives to three hundred people. Although the manufacturing of matches was nationalised in 1903, the entrepreneur spirit of Cornelio Garay remained in his family, in particular with his son, Juan. Juan de Garay Aguirre started in 1921 in the original facilities, manufacturing umbrella frames. At that time, and for many years, it was the only company in Spain manufacturing this product. However, new product design and development is more often than not a crucial factor in the survival of a company. In an industry that is changing fast, firms must continually revise their design and range of products. This is necessary due to continuous technology change and development as well as other competitors and the changing preference of Customers. It was in the mid-1950s, under Luis Garay’s lead, that the tubing division became strategically more important. The facilities were extended and the company expanded its tubing portfolio concentrating on manufacturing cold drawn precision steel tubes. As an aside, GARAY manufactured the structure of the Talgo train and the moto Lube, the first motorbike produced in Spain. In 1954 the company started a new metal division to manufacture brass products. Hijos de Juan de Garay began a new business unit manufacturing hot drawn and sized brass bars and profiles. Entering the global automotive market was crucial for the final quality certification of processes and the professionalisation of the company’s management. During the 1990s and the early 2000s, GARAY gradually extended its production facilities up to the current size of 70,000 m2. In 2003 - after the consolidation of the cutting subdivision - the company created a new independent business unit, the automotive tubular component division.
Their portfolio
GARAY, is a specialised manufacturer. Their quality management system drives them to better quality and cost, and ensures that their products meet the highest requirements. Oñate plant produces and delivers three major lines of products in a variety of specialities:
- Cold drawn welded precision steel tubing
GARAY manufactures its steel tubing in accordance with EN-10305-2 (DIN 2393) and EN-10305-3 (DIN 2394 ) standards. They can comply with special Customer’s specifications and alternative standards once our engineering department has been advised to study the options and customise the production process accordingly. Being a high precision specialist, GARAY tubing fulfils strict dimensional, concentricity and mechanical strength demands. What is really important the most remarkable features of the GARAY’s tubing are high precision of all dimensional tolerances and first-class raw materials.
- Automotive tubular components
GARAY’s extensive expertise in manufacturing precision tubes, its modern facilities, technical and human resources enable the company to supply a wide range of automotive tubular components solutions readiness for full series production. In 2005 y 2006 GARAY proceed with the acquisition of state-of-the-art machinery for the automotive components division.
- Hot drawn and sized brass bars and shepes
Copper alloys developed to meet the EN 12164, EN 12165 EN 12166 EN 12166 and EN 12167 standards are the basic raw materials for GARAY’s entire range of solid brass extruded products. We supply a wide series of geometric cross-shapes and profiles, custom-designed to our clients’ drawings and requirements. Supplies are delivered in straight bars up to 4,200 mm long and coils up to 1,000 kg.Our engineering department is prepared to study alternative products including a large variety of profiles, alloy compositions, tolerances, mechanical demands and lengths so that we can recommend the most convenient and reliable process before we add it to our customised line catalogue.
You require performance, not philosophy
GARAY stands behind the quality of its products and services. For sure you can depend on them. Choosing GARAY’s services means to save purchasing time and money as the company business is the Customer satisfaction. Technical and sale GARAY’s specialists and experts give you support you might need. Their Customer Managers make sure that your solution is implemented efficiently, in addition their Customer service team is available whenever you need additional expertise. Moreover they have tremendous pride to be a recognized leader in the industry. Their highly trained staff understands Customer needs and use their metallurgical expertise to develop and deliver innovative steels that satisfy Customer expectations. Garay’s quality and reliability have been the key success factors to their presence around the globe. The objective of the quality system needs to be clearly defined so that the system can be effective. The Company establishes, documents, implements, and maintains a quality management system and continually improves its effectiveness in accordance with the requirements of the ISO/TS 16949 and ISO 14001. It is widely acknowledged that proper quality management improves business, often having a positive effect on investment, market share, sales growth, sales margins, competitive advantage.
Their power
Currently GARAY tubing and components exports account for almost 50% of our sales. GARAY develops and manufactures top quality products in each of its business units. To achieve their goals, the company includes committed employees with the necessary qualifications. The entrepreneurial spirit of GARAY’s employees creates new ideas and brings these to the market in a way appropriate to create value for an external audience. In 2007 GARAY built a production plant in Slovakia near Bratislava to develop the unit in the CEE market. They increase their Customers’ satisfaction by continuous technological evolution and adaptation to marketplace demands that’s why they have been working for more than 145 years to combine responsiveness to our Customers with pride in personal achievement. They are the specialized team that works to make the pride concept of their work.
