AT THE HELM OF AVIA

Mónica Alegre became president of the Valencian Automotive Cluster (AVIA) in June. At the III Noche del Motor C.V. event, she noted: “I have been on the Board of Directors for the last eight years and I know the sector”. She thanked her husband Máximo Olivas in particular, “having been my biggest support for taking on this responsibility. He was president of the organisation and knows what this means”. She also spoke of the “fine talent, positive spirit and unconditional support” that, during his time in office, surrounded her predecessor, Emilio Orta, who passed away in May and “who we miss today”. She undertook to “take heed of his teaching and continue working for the sector as he did”, adding: I’m glad to have been witness to his last few years and to remember his constant smile”. As the new head of the association , Alegre demonstrated her satisfaction with a trajectory spanning 15 years, of which “we can feel proud. In this time it has grown from seven to 104 members, taking into account that the target was 100 by 2020”. With the Bronze Label from the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (ESCA), AVIA represents “the whole value chain, from vehicle manufacturers such as Ford at the helm, to logistics services and engineers, as well as tier 1, 2 and 3 suppliers. We are recognised as a leading cluster and are immersed in our third strategic plan 2017-2020”. “Midway through the plan, we are working as an association seeking to attract new investment for the Autonomous Community of Valencia; open collaboration both between companies and among other organisations; operational excellence as a tool for competitiveness and the search for new markets and new talent for the sector. After 15 years, we are very close to materialising the vision that the founding members had. They dreamed about making the Autonomous Community’s sector into an international benchmark and guaranteeing its growth. That continues to be our vision”. Mónica Alegre reiterated her goal of deepening the mutual knowledge of all members, for the purpose of generating new business opportunities that have yet to be identified up to now. She named Emilio Orta once again, quoting something that he would often say: “It is fundamental for AVIA that members get back what they have paid for”. She took advantage of the moment to talk about the Auto CV brand. “We must all build a strong, important brand”. She insisted on the support of the regional administration “to pave the way for attracting new investment for the Autonomous Community of Valencia, which will help us to diversify”. In terms of requirements, she requested backing for the adoption of Industry 4.0 processes, which imply “greater competitiveness and not the eradication of jobs”. She also made sure to underline the need to further explore FP Dual and a concerted effort among all regional administrations to develop advance training related to the automotive sector, with all the disruptive innovations that lie ahead. “We ask the administration to put the focus on innovation”. She also expressed her aspiration to work towards setting up an automotive centre in which the full potential of the Valencian automotive framework is brought together.