Interview with José Manuel Pascual, Managing Director of Algorós (manufacturer – die cutter of counters, toe puffs, and reinforcements for the footwear sector).
To start, I would like to know more about the history of Algorós. How and when did the company begin its journey in the die-cutting industry?
The company’s journey began in 1972, when our father Antonio Pascual Torres founded it. In its first 12 years of activity, it was located in the city centre of Elche and later moved to an industrial estate on the outskirts, where it built its new facilities, with 1500m2 for the manufacturing area, which remain to this day.
What is the mission that drives Algorós in the current market and how does it align with the changing needs of the industry?
At Algorós, we have established our QUALITY policy as our MISSION, which essentially includes the permanent satisfaction of our clients’ demands and expectations.
As a client of Quinorgan, what factors do you consider key to our collaboration’s success?
The key to a successful collaboration between Algorós and Quinorgan is due to Quinorgan’s great interest in satisfying both our needs and those of our clients, regardless of the demand. These needs can include special adhesions on any type of leather or synthetic material, heel and toe cap hardness, resilience, collapse, or any other requirement.
How have Quinorgan’s products and services impacted Algorós’ processes and services?
Quinorgan’s products and services have significantly impacted our operations. As I mentioned earlier, Quinorgan’s full commitment to continuous product improvement allows us to maintain this chain of values for our clients.
With such a wide range of footwear products, from casual/sport shoes to mountain footwear, how does Algorós ensure high quality and service in each category?
At Algorós, our strength lies in the know-how of our samples and development department, as we strive to collaborate and advise our clients on the most suitable product for their type of footwear. Additionally, we have a customised database for each client, including a pattern and material for each of their collection models.
Algorós remains a market leader thanks to its continuous evolution. Can you explain how this philosophy translates into concrete innovations within your die-cutting services and processes?
Algorós was a pioneer in implementing automatic cutting systems, as well as state-of-the-art technology for trimming, pre-moulding, labelling, and many other processes. Currently, we continue to introduce improvements that add more quality to our products and services and facilitate and enhance productive processes, which in turn improve our employees’ occupational health.
Algorós is certified with ISO 9001, which is a key indicator of the quality of your services. What does this certification mean for your team and clients, and how does it contribute to the value you offer in the market?
We are proud to have ISO 9001 certification, not only because we are the only company in Spain manufacturing counters and toe puffs with this certification but also because it guarantees our clients that we can meet all their needs and services.
We have noticed that Algorós offers eco-friendly products as part of its environmental contribution. Can you tell us more about these products and how they are impacting the sustainability of the footwear industry?
The spirit of Algorós is characterised by its commitment to improving our planet. Therefore, we prioritise and encourage the use of ECO-SUSTAINABLE materials for all our clients. Some time ago, we collaborated with Quinorgan in developing sustainable products and their corresponding certification, such as the DIANA-ECO item. We collect all our surplus and send it to the Quinorgan-Aspe recycling plant, where it is converted into a subproduct for new material manufacturing, making the waste in its entire production chain ZERO.
Every business faces challenges. Can you share some difficulties Algorós has overcome over the years? Additionally, can you tell us about a recent project you consider a significant success for Algorós?
The biggest challenge we have faced and continue to address is raising our clients’ awareness about using sustainable products, which nowadays do not compromise on quality or price. We believe that the use of sustainable Quinorgan products processed by Algorós already guarantees a 100% unbeatable product quality. Moreover, we ensure 100% environmental contribution, as we produce ZERO waste, and our manufacturing plant has solar panels to generate our own energy consumption.
Looking to the future, what direction do you see the die-cutting industry taking, and how is Algorós preparing for these changes? Finally, what advice would you give to emerging companies looking to enter the die-cutting field?
The answer to both questions lies in digitalisation and sustainability. These are two concepts we have embraced for a long time, unlike most counters and toe puffs manufacturers. Therefore, I believe the best way to conclude is to encourage companies to follow this path for their own benefit, that of their clients, and the sector in general.