The steelmaker Acerinox is facing a new phase of recovery at its factory in the Campo de Gibraltar, with forecasts of returning to profit —the so-called 'black numbers'— starting next July. The company is confident that the combination of a more flexible production model, a more favorable regulatory environment, and the labor stability achieved will allow this trend change to be consolidated.
This was highlighted by the group's CEO, Bernardo Velázquez, in a meeting with the press prior to the general shareholder meeting, where he emphasized the performance of the workforce and described the factory as 'very efficient' despite the difficulties faced in recent years.
One of the pillars of this recovery is the adaptation of the production model. The plant has implemented a flexible system that adjusts activity and shifts to times of lower energy cost, especially in the steelmaking area, which has the highest electricity consumption. 'We have achieved the flexibility we needed and we are applying it almost daily,' emphasized Velázquez.
This approach also seeks to overcome the traditional rigidity of the labor framework, favoring the internal mobility of workers and aligning the factory's operations with market conditions.
This scenario is joined by a relevant change in the European context. Starting July 1, the European Union will tighten the conditions for steel imports, reducing tariff-free quotas by 47% and raising duties for those exceeding those limits to 50%. This measure aims to curb global overproduction and improve the competitiveness of the European industry.
'We hope that with the protection we achieve in July, the right conditions will be established to return to black numbers,' said the executive referring to the plant in the Campo de Gibraltar.
Another key element is the labor stability achieved after the conflict resulting from the 2024 strike. The so-called Social Pact for Employment, signed in 2025, has introduced measures aimed at reinforcing stability, such as new hires and a voluntary retirement plan with financial incentives.
Moreover, the company has strengthened its internal communication and transparency policies with the goal of consolidating a more stable work environment and leaving behind the period of tension. With these advancements, Acerinox is confident in facing a new phase marked by efficiency and adaptation to a changing industrial environment.