San Sebastián, (EFE).- The group of cooperatives that make up the Mondragón Corporation reached 10,607 million euros in sales in 2022, which means an increase of 10.7% compared to the previous year.
The corporation has held its annual congress this afternoon in San Sebastián, in which it has analyzed its results and the general situation of the group, six months after the abandonment of two of its largest industrial cooperatives, Orona and Ulma.
sales increase
The group’s average workforce in 2022 stood at 68,879 people, which represents a slight increase over 2021, while Ebitda rose 6.9%, reaching 1,103 million euros.
In addition, the investment figure amounted to 347 million euros, 11.8% more than that made in 2011.
These data, the Corporation maintains in a statement, confirm that “the bulk of the cooperatives have been able to overcome a difficult year with flying colours, in which especially the invasion of Ukraine by Russia has conditioned the evolution of the economy and markets”.
The Group has also verified positive data in the first half of 2023, although “some signs of contraction are perceived in the markets”.
in line of growth
The president of the General Council of Mondragon, Iñígo Ucín, highlighted in his speech that the corporation continues “in line with growth”. He has warned that “some indicators show signs of a slowdown in the evolution of the main European and international economies.”
Despite this, he has been convinced that the group will be able to “cope with possible adverse situations” thanks to the “demonstrated ability to adapt” of the cooperatives. Also due to the “high uptake of orders achieved by many businesses”. For this reason, Ucín has expressed its confidence in ending 2023 with positive figures.
At the congress, the results of the Industrial area corresponding to 2022 were presented to the 650 delegates. The year closed with a total aggregate turnover of 4,848 million euros, 15.6% more than the previous year, and a result of 222 million.
Cost increase
These results have been achieved, the corporation has highlighted, in a year in which “it has not been possible to pass on all the increase in costs supported by the rise in raw materials, energy and, in general, all expenses”.
The foreign market has accounted for 75% of the business of the industrial area. This division, which has 104 foreign establishments in which it employs 10,112 people.
Industrial cooperatives added investments of 197 million euros, 22.5% more than in 2021, while employment grew by 395 jobs on average compared to the average workforce of the previous year.
In the Components division, integrated into the industrial area, the white goods sector experienced one-off growth as a result of the covid-19 lockdown, but it has suffered a “market contraction in the second half of 2022”, which has forced the group to carry out “structural adjustments in the division itself”.
However, in Capital Goods the group has advanced thanks to a “notable increase in its order book”. Projects related to renewable energy have grown and thanks to the irruption of the emerging space industry.
The Engineering and Services business has also grown, especially in projects linked to the energy field, with the start of works on various energy communities.
Increase in the price of raw materials
In Automotive, sales grew by 14% compared to 2021 “in a context of difficulties caused by the increase in the prices of raw materials and energy”. An issue that has impacted margins “very severely”, highlights the Corporation.
In the congress, the results of the Distribution areas were reviewed, where Eroski had a profit of 64 million and sales of 5,476. Also those of Finance, in which the 151 million benefit of Laboral Kutxa stands out.
It has highlighted its commitment to innovation, with the employment of some 2,000 full-time people in R&D in the 12 technology centers and in the units of the cooperatives.
Mondragon Ecosystem
The congress has known a proposal for the structuring of a new Knowledge division to promote the collaboration of all its entities in this field. Includes educational centers (Arizmendi Ikastola, Politeknika Txorierri and Lea Artibai), Mondragón University and technology centers (Ikerlan, MIK, Lortek and Leartiker).
A step, explained the group, that contributes to “strengthening the Mondragón ecosystem concept” and that implies a commitment to the future.
This new division will be made up of 11 entities of the Corporation. They add up to about 2,000 people and will have a budget of 150 million euros.