Catalan Metalúrgica Folch, last pin producer in Spain, celebrates 100th anniversary

The Catalan family business Metalúrgica Folch, the only remaining pin producer in Spain, has celebrated its 100-year anniversary. 

The company is located in Baix Camp, in southern Catalonia, and is one of the three last businesses in Europe that create sewing pins.   

When Jordi Folch, from the second generation of the company, was put in charge of the pin business in 1985, he knew the company had to specialize. "I decided to stop producing all the small elements we did before such as buttons, chains and jewelry, and to focus on better machines," he explains.

In addition, the number of shirt producers was reducing during that decade, facilitating the decision to specialize. 

"Industrial clothing manufacturing was our biggest market back then, but that has diminished, especially in Europe," Josep Maria Folch, Jordi's son and the company's manager, pointed out. 

"We used to have 200 clients that made shirts, and now there is only one left," Jordi Folch explained to the Catalan News Agency (ACN). 

"Before, 70% of what we made went to clothing and 30% to haberdashery. Now it is completely the opposite, that 70% is sold to haberdashery, sewing and hobbies shops," Josep Maria reveals. 

Despite the change in trends, the company produces 25 tonnes of pins yearly. Half of that is sold within Spain and the other 50% is exported to more than 50 countries worldwide. 

"We still have clients in places where clothing manufacturing is still relevant like Mexico and Colombia," Josep Maria points out.  

New branches of business

The current turnover is €1 million, a number that the company expects to increase by adding two new products: sewing measuring tapes and thimbles.  

These new products were propelled by the newest generation in the company. "In business you always have to look for new branches although they might not turn out the way you had planned, because one day they will," Xavier Escaich, the head of production explained.  

"Adding new products will add value to the company, but the future of our business is also about automatizing production and making it more efficient," Xavier pointed out.  

Celebrating 100 years 

Adapting to change and taking care of every process during production have helped Metalúrgica Folch last to the point of celebrating its centenary. 

Despite being proud of the accomplishments, Josep Maria Folch is worried because "in this country, companies do not make it to its centenary." 

In Spain there are 318 businesses that are 100 years old, whereas in Japan that number is around 20,000.  

To celebrate this 100th anniversary, the company have created special edition celebratory metallic boxes, as well as plastic and card versions.