This morning, the Prime Minister of the Basque Government, Inigo Urkullu, the General Deputy of Biscay, Unai Rementeria, the Chairman of ITP Aero, Josep Pique, and the General Manager of ITP Aero, Carlos Alzola, have led the opening event of the new Externals plant of ITP Aero in Biscay. The new facilities have entailed an investment of more than 14 million euros and have been built to meet the high demand for Externals in the aeronautical market, components used in the coating of aeronautical engines, also known as dressings, such as fluid systems, structures and other elements.

The new plant, located in Derio, within the Biscay Science and Technology Park, is now fully operational and currently employs 115, forecasting staff growth to up to 160 employees. The building houses the global headquarters of the company's Externals business area, including engineering offices, development and production of various components.

Market demand for Externals is expected to increase significantly over the next few years due to the increasing technological and environmental requirements for new aircraft engines, which add value and reliability to secondary systems such as Externals. ITP Aero has expanded its product portfolio to include more complex and higher value-added elements, such as the special fabrications that are designed and manufactured in this new plant. To this end, the facilities have been equipped with new technologies, such as advanced process capabilities for joining and forming superalloys.

ITP Aero designs and manufactures Externals for the world's leading aeronautical aeroengine manufacturers (Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney, Honeywell), with manufacturing centres in Spain, Mexico and India. In June this year, ITP Aero expanded its facilities in Queretaro, focused on the design and production of two types of Externals: pipes and end-fittings. Within the Externals product portfolio, ITP Aero is one of the top three companies in the world in the aeronautical pipe segment.

Inigo Urkullu, Prime Minister of the Basque Government, has stated that: "We proudly celebrate the anniversary of this Basque Multinational Company which, in 30 years, has reached a turnover of close to 900 million euros, is present in five countries and employs 4,000 people. Thanks to its continuous improvement approach, it has become the leading aeronautical engine and components of Spain and the ninth company in its sector in the world".

Carlos Alzola, General Manager Director of ITP Aero, commented that "ITP Aero is now 30 years old, and it's a pleasure to be able to say that we have registered sustained growth throughout all this time. This new Externals plant is a clear example of how we build on technology and industrial capabilities to face the future challenges that lie ahead".