Nothing would be the same if on a San Juan verbena night one could not hear the sound of thunder, firecrackers, the explosion of rockets, or see the youngest members of the family enjoying themselves when they throw onions and light sparklers and volcanoes with surprise. And in 2022, after two years with the party half-dampened by covid, what could not happen is that the lack of pyrotechnic products in the Catalan and Spanish market would again spoil the celebration of this holiday.
In anticipation, work in the offices and warehouses of the Catalan family business Petardos CM has intensified this year to increase local production and minimize supply problems for products coming from China ---the world's main exporter of pyrotechnics---, which had already begun to be detected at the end of 2021 when the Christmas and New Year sales campaign had to be prepared; another of the peak moments for the pyrotechnics sector in Catalonia.
The company from Palau Solità i Plegamans has increased national pyrotechnic production from 5% to 65% to guarantee supply to the final consumer. On the one hand, Petardos CM has sought national suppliers --basically from the Valencian Community, which has more recreational pyrotechnic factories than Catalonia-- to produce fuse firecrackers, strings of firecrackers, and rockets, among others. This has also facilitated that Petardos CM starts this summer's campaign with more than 50% of its product catalog renewed, because producing locally has allowed for the incorporation of new designs of fuse firecrackers, strings of firecrackers, and rockets.
On the other hand, it has imported bulk and packaged products from China well in advance, and since last February, it has been preparing assorted product lots for Sant Joan sales, with the incorporation of 35 people into the warehouses that the firm has in Vallès and Llobregat. This has also led to the generation of indirect business, as the packaging and boxes for the lots have also been manufactured in Catalonia.
The company has a permanent staff of 45 people throughout the year, which grows significantly during the different campaigns; up to 700 workers in June or 200 at Christmas.
Despite the fact that "there will always be some imports from China because not all products can be manufactured locally," the project of the Petardos CM brand is to progressively reduce them and, "within a period of 10 years" it should have all production in Catalonia, according to the owner and director of Petardos CM, Josep Maria Vilardell.
According to data from Petardos CM, there is a generalized lack of stock in the sector to cover demand, so only 75% of the usual volume of products that were put on sale for the eve of the festival can be offered. However, the sector expects a 15% increase in sales, over the 17 million euros earned in 2019. 30% of sales, more than 5 million euros, would correspond to Petardos CM brands, which does not provide specific data on the business, of which only 10% comes from online sales. Petardos CM reminds consumers that home delivery is prohibited due to the control and security measures required by pyrotechnic products and that, therefore, orders are always collected at authorized stores.
Imports have encountered two problems. On the one hand, the Chinese government has prohibited the local manufacture of certain pyrotechnic products, such as the fuse thunder, different types of rockets, and firecrackers. On the other hand, the increase in international transport tariffs and delivery times have caused a shortage.
Founded in 1982, Petardos CM distributes all its products in Spain, under the umbrella of several brands. The marketing network to the final consumer consists of about 250 establishments, about 90 stores – 90% of which are owned and the rest are associated establishments – and about 150 modules and temporary stalls throughout Catalonia – which open for specific campaigns, such as the Verbena de San Juan. The company has majority control (60%) of the 150 temporary sales stalls installed in the city of Barcelona for the Verbena de San Juan.
The pyrotechnics sector in Catalonia, which has a turnover of around 20 million euros, is represented by some 200 companies, from people who only manage a small house or shop, to companies that have 250 establishments such as the company Petardos CM. Catalonia represents 30% of the total business volume of the sector in Spain, according to data from the Association of Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Wholesalers of Catalonia (AFIMAC), which groups 93% of pyrotechnics depots and workshops distributed throughout the Catalan territory.