La diversificació industrial de l'Anoia: l'exemple de Hispano Mecano Eléctrica (HIMEL) (1925-1986)

Abstract

Catalan and Spanish industries went through a strong diversification process during the second half of the 20th century. In the Catalan region of Anoia, which already had a solid tradition in textile, paper and tanning industries, a metallurgical industry network also began to branch out. The firm Hispano Mecano Eléctrica, which was born in Barcelona as a small radio manufacturing workshop, moved to Capellades and started specialising in metallic enclosures (boxes for electrical systems) during the Spanish post-war period. Its development was simultaneous to the growth of the Spanish economy. The firm bought a factory were polyester insulating enclosures would be made. In the 80s, its leadership in the Spanish market was clear, and it was also important in the international one. It was engaged with technological change, as the setting up of an automated production line shows. HIMEL, which had been a family firm until then, needed a high level of investment to keep being competitive and it was purchased by Merlin Gerin, a French multinational company specialized on electrical supplies, which is nowadays part of Schneider Electric.