The company opened its new facilities with more than 6,500 meters square for the production

The new factory of Prado was opened last May 20 in the industrial estate of the Bayo in Cubillos del Sil, 10 kilometres from Ponferrada, León. During the opening ceremony, the guests were able to see 'in situ' breakthrough Prado Transformados metallic has given by setting up of this facility, which will complement the already existing in Vizcaya.

Example of the process of machining of sheet metal, in the new facilities.

This new Prado project is result of the close relationship that years remains with its largest supplier of profile sheeting in Caliente, Mauriz workshops. The plant, built on an area of 25,000 square meters, has 6,500 square meters intended for the production process and 400 square meters to offices, where the direction and the technical Office, as well as quality and administration departments.

PRADO contributes this infrastructure to the enrichment of the area's economy, and promotes the creation of new jobs. For this reason, all representatives of the public authorities appreciated it. "We are very hopeful that Prado will continue investing in our region", commented Carlos López Riesco, Mayor of Ponferrada. Confirming their words, José Luis Ramón, Mayor of Cubillos del Sil, stated that it was "a great source of joy to launch the ship's Meadow". He also claimed that he was confident that "before the end of 2008 are made to sell the 800,000 square metres of the second phase of the industrial estate 'The Bayo'."

In the same way, Carlos Martín Tobalina, Director General of industry of the Junta de Castilla y León, described the new plant as a "project for the future and wealth", and urged all Governments to continue to work to "generate variables which help to create a climate of confidence for investment". In this regard, Francisco Álvarez, Subdelegado of Government in León, admitted that, as a representative of the Government of Spain, should "lay the basis for development", and recognized the merit of Prado to the "venture capital and, thus, creating wealth". He finished his speech prefiguring a safe to Prado success since, as he recalled, 100 years ago started as a local industry and it has thrived in a form more than noticeable.

With regard to the plans of expansion of the company, the different means of communication there present were interested if they would take place, and if León would choose to undertake them. Representatives of the company stated that, in fact, Prado has intention to further develop its activities in manufacturing and construction of buildings and production of Silos, as well as enter new synergistic business with current values. With regard to the location of future investment, pointed out that very positively valued those areas which are given in facilities for carrying out projects, as it has been the case in the factory of PRADO in Ponferrada.

Fernando Fernandez, Director of the factory, during the opening ceremony.

In the new industrial plant of Prado in Ponferrada are initially transformed 10,000 tons, although its capacity can exceed the 30,000 according to needs. The advantages of structures in 'laminated profile hot' lie in the use of standard standardized profiles, well known and used by the majority of engineering and the study of architecture in the design and calculation of their projects. Precisely this characteristic, along with their bolted joints, makes it possible that their design, manufacture and Assembly are implemented in a very short time. These structures are which are better adapted to industrial small lights, nest ships, refrigerated buildings or unique buildings with curved beams.

The manufacturing cycle begins with the receipt and downloading of the material, and subsequently takes the shot blasting to carry out the cleaning process. Then, working in parallel in two areas: the area of machining of beams and the area of machining of sheet metal. The first is carried out cutting and drilling of the beams; in the second, the punching, drilling and cutting of plates. Beams and plywood then moved to the area of armed. After making the essential quality control, welding and painting take place. Last but not least is the burden of the materials for your transportation to the relevant work.

In line with the commitment of Prado to the environment and energy efficiency, the new production plant has an installation of geothermal energy designed by the Galician company TerraTerm. This air conditioning system uses the heat from the ground through geothermal pumps located at 150 m of depth, which return the water to 16 degrees Celsius. He is thus achieved a 75 per cent of energy saving, both heating and sanitary water. The objective is to generate about 50 kilowatts of heat and cold. This process is made possible by the existing 15 degrees to 100 meters deep, which increase 1 degree per 30 metres. In this way are unnecessary extra thermal support.

On the other hand Prado, through renewable energies Prado, the Group company dedicated to the promotion of photovoltaic solar energy, will install its own photovoltaic solar power plant on the cover of 5,000 square meters of the warehouse in the coming months. This deployment will achieve an annual output of 0.35 MW.

More than 150 people attended the event between public authorities, business, engineering, construction, customers and journalists.