AFM Cluster and Gipuzkoa Host National ‘Manufacturing Congress’

San Sebastian, Spain – The Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and AFM Cluster, at a press conference held on October 24, presented the program of the Manufacturing Congress to be held from October 29-31, in the Gipuzkoa Science and Technology Park.

Taking part in the presentation were Xabier Ortueta, CEO, AFM Cluster, and Unai Andueza, Regional Minister for Economic Promotion and Strategic Projects, Gipuzkoa, who highlighted the importance of this event as the most significant gathering in the country in the field of advanced manufacturing and industrial technologies.

With a solid track record since 1976 and 24 editions held, the Manufacturing Congress has become the leading national forum for the exchange of knowledge and experience for companies in the industrial sector. This year, the event expects to host upwards of 600 professionals and offer over 100 speeches distributed over three intense workdays.

The congress comes at a time of profound industrial transformation. After several years of growth and post-pandemic recovery, the industry is facing an era marked by market evolution and major changes in key sectors such as the automotive industry and energy. In this context, the Manufacturing Congress has established itself as a forum for discussion and reflection, offering solutions to current challenges and promoting competitiveness, digitalization, and sustainability in the industrial sector.

The opening session, which will take place on October 29, will be chaired by the Regional Minister for Industry, Mikel Jauregi, who will be responsible for officially inaugurating the conference. The most prominent participating companies include Basque Quantum, Siemens, Indra, Renishaw, Fagor Automation, Fagor Arrasate, ASTM, Cuatrecasas, Multiverse Computing, Aernnova, ITP, Airbus, Ibarmia, Zayer, Euchner, Schmersal, AEE, DHV, Loire Gestamp, DanobatGroup, Fastems, Oerlikon, Satlantis, Novaindef, Sapa, Arisa, and Nicolás Correa, among others, and the technology centers Tecnalia, Tekniker, Ideko, and Fraunhofer IWS, which highlights the scale and technological level of the event.

Knowledge Meets Industrial Strategy

The conference has a dual informative and scientific approach, structured around four main themes that address the key challenges facing the industry today: technology transfer, scientific research, safety in industrial environments, and cybersecurity applied to industry.

During the sessions, key issues will be analyzed, such as the impact of geopolitics on business activity, the new demands of strategic sectors such as aeronautics, space, and defence, and the challenges linked to digital transformation, sustainability, talent management, and the opportunities offered by emerging technologies.

Global Vision with Leading Experts

The program will feature renowned speakers, including Marc Vidal, Nerea Urcola, Genís Roca, and Jon Sistiaga, who will offer a global, critical, and forward-looking perspective on the evolution of advanced manufacturing and its role in the economy of the future.

Throughout the three days of the conference, participants will learn about the latest trends and advances in advanced and digital manufacturing, with a special focus on disruptive technologies, the factory of the future, robotics and automation, additive manufacturing, attracting and managing talent, sustainability, human safety in smart industry, and cybersecurity in production environments.

Building Gipuzkoa’s Manufacturing Future

During his speech, Andueza emphasized that “the Manufacturing Congress is a strategic event for Gipuzkoa and for the industrial sector as a whole. It allows us to place our region at the center of reflection and innovation in advanced manufacturing, strengthen public-private collaboration, and continue to promote a competitive, sustainable, and knowledge-based industrial model.”

For his part, Ortueta pointed out that “we are in a situation of extreme uncertainty, with a truly complex international landscape. Precisely for this reason, the Manufacturing Congress will take an in-depth look at the technological strategies that will enable us to tackle these challenges with more technology, more added value, and greater competitiveness.”

The 2025 Manufacturing Congress thereby reaffirms Gipuzkoa’s commitment to innovation, competitiveness, and technological development, consolidating the region as a European benchmark in advanced manufacturing and industrial digitalization.

Image Source: AFM Cluster