The centenary adhesive and glue company Paniker is determined to continue growing. After a 2023 in which it invoiced 23 million euros with 9,700 tons of adhesive manufactured through 6,800 orders, the company based in Sant Boi de Llobregat expects to close this year with a turnover of 24 million euros. "2024 is being very positive, and the key is Paniker's diversification and entry into new markets," defends its general director, Toni Pérez.
In favor of this diversification, the company regularly invests in the improvement of its production plant, which has 12,000 square meters and a capacity of 44,000 tons per year in seven sections and 27 production lines. During the last year, the company has invested 1.2 million euros in the plant to promote various improvements in both production and sustainability.
In this sense, it has received 481,000 euros in financing from the Institut Català de Finances (ICF) through its ICF EcoVerda loan line, which will be used to replace the plant's roof and remove asbestos elements, as well as to install solar panels, a measure that will allow the company to save 20% of its energy consumption. The public promotional bank of the Generalitat offers these ICF EcoVerda loans with the aim of promoting the energy transition of the Catalan productive and business fabric, as in this operation with Paniker. Through these loans, the ICF finances self-employed individuals, companies, or public and private entities for sustainable and environmentally friendly investments or working capital needs that promote green economy, circular economy, or energy efficiency projects.
Paniker is one of the 80 industrial companies nationwide that has been active for over 100 years.The company's history dates back more than 100 years, when the Indian-born and England-educated businessman Ramon Paniker founded the company with two other partners in 1922. Then specializing in chemical products for the leather industry, the reins of the company passed in 1954 to the founder's daughter, Mercè Paniker, a pioneering businesswoman in the defense of women's rights
El presidente de la República, Gabriel Boric, se refirió este lunes a la conmemoración de los 50 años del golpe de Estado, que se cumple el próximo 11 de septiembre, y a la polémica que se ha generado en torno a la fecha.
En ese contexto, el Mandatario hizo un llamado a “no empatar las responsabilidades” entre quienes “quebrantaron la democracia” y quienes “la defendieron”.
“No es aceptable, no es aceptable, que se relativice o se justifique el golpe de Estado. No es aceptable que se relativice o se justifique la violación a los derechos humanos”, dijo Boric en un punto de prensa en el Palacio de La Moneda.
El jefe de Estado enfatizó que “no hay dos bandos, no hay dos bandos, no hay dos bandos. Hay quienes defendieron la democracia y quienes la quebrantaron”.
“Y eso es algo que tenemos que tener muy claro, muy claro, muy claro. Y no podemos empatar las responsabilidades”, añadió.
Boric también se refirió a la propuesta de la oposición de firmar una declaración conjunta en la que se condene el golpe de Estado y se defienda la democracia.
“Nosotros estamos disponibles a firmar una declaración conjunta, pero no a cualquier precio. No a cualquier precio”, sostuvo.
El Presidente explicó que “no vamos a firmar una declaración que relativice o justifique el golpe de Estado. No vamos a firmar una declaración que relativice o justifique la violación a los derechos humanos”.
“Nosotros estamos por la verdad, la justicia, la reparación y las garantías de no repetición. Y eso es algo que no vamos a transar”, sentenció.
Las declaraciones de Boric se dan en medio de la polémica que se ha generado en torno a la conmemoración de los 50 años del golpe de Estado, que ha generado un fuerte debate entre el oficialismo y la oposición.
La derecha ha criticado al Gobierno por lo que considera una “instrumentalización” de la fecha, mientras que el oficialismo ha acusado a la oposición de “negacionismo” y de “justificar” el golpe de Estado.
En este escenario, el Presidente Boric ha buscado marcar una postura clara y firme en defensa de la democracia y los derechos humanos, en un intento por cerrar las filas de su sector y evitar que la polémica escale aún más.
The businesswoman, sister of philosophers Raimon and Salvador Paniker, "worked for the economic independence of women, and her role represents a significant event in our history," emphasizes the current general director.Since its foundation, Paniker has been in the hands of various owners, until in 2022 Francisco Pérez, who had accumulated 40 years working in the company, acquired all of its shares. The CEO's father was one of the company's previous owner-partners, and he chose to take over the company as sole owner coinciding with its centenary. "Despite the crises of all kinds that have occurred during these 102 years, Paniker has not only survived, but has become stronger after each crisis," emphasizes the CEO. In fact, in Spain there are only 80 industrial companies over 100 years old, among which Paniker is included.
"Throughout these more than 100 years, one of the keys to success has been diversification. We started in leather, and little by little we introduced ourselves into the manufacturing of adhesives," Pérez emphasizes. Now, Paniker specializes in the production of industrial adhesives "which are essential for everyday life, even if they are invisible". And they are crucial in markets and products of all kinds, from mobile phones to footwear, including furniture and office supplies: "Although we don't see it, everything has adhesive."
To continue diversifying and strengthening itself in the markets where it is present, Paniker's adhesives "carry a significant load of knowledge and know-how". To this end, the company has a team of eight people in its laboratory and R&D area: "Innovation is one of our main challenges". These workers are included in a workforce of a total of 49 employees. "We are capable of manufacturing close to 10,000 tons annually with few employees, which shows that optimization is another of the company's keys," which has automated processes in its Sant Boi plant.
This commitment to innovation and optimization is added to Paniker's determination to advance towards the sustainability of both the company itself and its products, and the company's willingness to offer personalized and comprehensive customer service. "We compete with large global corporations, and this is a differentiating factor," and the company works to adapt to customer needs, both in terms of product and delivery: "We are more of a partner than an adhesive supplier."
Through its diversification and customer service, Paniker is present in 19 sectors, ranging from wood to foams, including paper and cardboard, an area that represents the most important market for Paniker. From its plant in Sant Boi, the Catalan company supplies both local clients and large multinational corporations. Among the company's more than 1,300 clients, more than 100 are international, from the rest of Europe and other countries, including markets such as Morocco, Australia, and Ivory Coast. To provide service to its clients, the company has 14 distributors worldwide. "We are a national family business, but with a wide international presence."