EBRO Motors Group and Fives boost the automotive industry in Europe
A new milestone for the Spanish automotive industry
As part of its strategy, EBRO Motors Group restored the historic Spanish EBRO brand and is dedicated to the design, manufacturing and commercialization of sustainable SUV vehicles produced at the EBRO Factory in Barcelona. To support them in this ambitious industrial project, EBRO Motors Group chose Fives Conveying Ibérica, a subsidiary of the Fives Group specializing in process automation with a strong local presence in Spain (Barcelona, Valladolid and Vigo).
Thanks to its in-depth knowledge of the production plant and its expertise in designing and installing production lines, Fives was co-responsible for adapting the manufacturing process at EBRO Factory Barcelona. Fives designed, upgraded and installed several key stations on the new M1 production line, dedicated to the assembly of glass, batteries, engines, transmissions and other components. In addition, Fives digitalized the process through a vehicle management and traceability system for the assembly line and supplied its own proprietary fluid-filling machines.
A successful European partnership
The combination of EBRO Motors Group's industrial vision and technological know-how, together with Fives' technological expertise and their shared fast-to-market approach, delivered an exceptional result: the whole plant was back into full operation in just eight months, compared with the eighteen months typically required for similar projects.
With the new plant, EBRO Motors Group tripled its production compared with the previous situation, reaching a capacity of 20 vehicles per hour. Thanks to this increase in capacity, EBRO now employs more than 2,000 people. For Fives, this project represents one of the largest contracts for its Spanish subsidiary and has helped consolidate its operations in Barcelona.
This collaboration between two major European players demonstrates a shared commitment to preserving and strengthening the automotive industry across the continent, in line with the objectives of the Industrial Accelerator Act. By manufacturing EBRO plug-in hybrid SUVs in Spain, EBRO Motors Group strengthens a well-known national brand while, together with Fives, contributing to the dynamism of Europe's industrial fabric and supporting more sustainable mobility.
Rafael Ruiz, President, EBRO Motors Group
“The reindustrialization of EBRO Factory Barcelona demonstrates that Europe can continue to lead the transformation of the automotive industry when it invests in industry, innovation and collaboration between strategic partners. At EBRO Motors Group, we are committed to local production and to developing an increasingly robust value chain in Spain and Europe, because strengthening the industrial fabric is key to creating quality jobs, boosting competitiveness and building a more resilient automotive industry prepared for the mobility challenges of the future.”
Juan Esteva, Managing Director, Fives Conveying Ibérica
"We are very proud to have restarted a production plant in record time together with EBRO Motors Group. This project demonstrates that cooperation between European industrial leaders can bring new momentum to an industry that is historically important to Europe, while strengthening the local economic fabric. For Fives, it is essential to support our customers throughout the entire lifecycle of their installations, providing proximity, availability and a deep understanding of local challenges."