Aitor Igartua takes office as CEO of ULMA Construction
ULMA Construction opens a new stage marked by continuity, experience and a shared vision of the future. The leadership transition follows a carefully planned process that reinforces the stability of the project and highlights internal talent as a driver of evolution. After more than three decades of trajectory at ULMA Construction and seventeen years at the head of the Business, Aitor Ayastuy closes a decisive stage in the history of the company to assume the general management of the ULMA Group. His leadership has been linked to international growth, to the consolidation of the project and to long-term management.
At the close of his stage as CEO of ULMA Construction, Aitor Ayastuy shares a reflection on the evolution of the business, the lessons learned and the pillars that have sustained the growth of the project in recent years. A look at the path travelled and at the values that will continue to guide the future.
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The evolution of the business in recent years has been positive. Some years have been stronger than others, but overall we have continued but growing and doing so with the necessary profitability to guarantee the sustainability of the project. At the same time, we have strengthened our position in the markets we consider strategic, while maintaining our presence in others where the environment has become more challenging. We have also begun to take our first steps in new markets. Across all of them, we remain committed to moving forward, as our vocation has always been to grow alongside our customers. Two key factors have helped guide us in the right direction. The first is the people who are part of this project. At demanding moments along the way, we responded with commitment, flexibility and a genuine dedication to our shared goals. The second is, of course, our customers, who have continued to place their trust in our offering, recognising our service, our responsiveness and the close relationships we build. Our culture and values are rooted in these two essential pillars: people and customers. Commitment, customer focus and a passion for continuous improvement have guided us so far and will continue to do so in the future. Within this context, I am now beginning a new professional chapter as I take on the role of General Manager of the ULMA Group. I do so with the confidence that ULMA Construction remains in excellent hands, led by a committed and capable team that is deeply aligned with our cooperative project. We also benefit from a strong corporate culture that we will continue to nurture and strengthen. Although my responsibilities will now be different from those I have held in recent years, the vision remains the same: to build a leading industrial cooperative group, driven by sustainable growth and a strong commitment to its environment. My role will be to continue advancing along this path, building on the very solid foundations already in place. |
The baton is taken up by Aitor Igartua, a professional developed entirely at ULMA Construction, which he joined in 1995. With extensive experience in operational, managerial and international responsibilities, and a deep knowledge of the business, Igartua assumes the position of CEO of ULMA Construction based on a closeness to people, markets and the values that define ULMA.
This handover symbolises the continuity of a solid project, which looks to the future without losing its essence, and which faces the coming challenges with trust in its team and in its business model.
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After so many years with the company, what does it mean for you to take on the leadership of the business? Having developed almost my entire professional career here, being from Oñati and strongly aligned with cooperative values, this opportunity represents both a great honour and an exciting challenge. I am very grateful for the trust placed in me to lead this project at this point in time. What does it mean to lead the project with such a strong personal and professional connection to the company? This connection gives me a deep understanding of the company, its culture and the way we work. Taking on this responsibility means doing so with a strong commitment to our people, to the project and to a way of understanding business that goes beyond results alone. What do you see as the most important challenges in the near future? We live in a world that is increasingly changing and unpredictable. We must be capable of riding the wave of these changes, as any organisation that does not adapt to this speed runs the risk of falling behind the group of companies that will be benchmarks in the future. In which specific areas should this adaptation be focused? We must continue to commit to new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, innovate in new products and services, increase our responsiveness to market needs and improve the quality of our products and services in order to remain a trusted partner for our customers. What role will the scaffolding business and expansion into new markets play in this stage? It will be key to increase the share of scaffolding within our business, beginning initially where we are already positioned. At the same time, we will continue exploring opportunities to grow in markets where we are not yet present, always from a sustainable perspective aligned with our long-term vision. How do you imagine ULMA Construction in five years’ time? I see ULMA in continuous growth that it will have been capable of adapting to the changes that occur both in the market environment and in the political environment. A structurally consolidated company, safer for our workers and for our customers, more sustainable, guided by clear values and attractive for future generations. What message would you like to share with the people of ULMA Construction and with those who place their trust in the project? I would like to convey a message of enthusiasm and belief in this project, in its people, in its values and in its culture, with the aim of improving the legacy we receive and ensuring that ULMA endures over time in a sustainable way. |
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