As we indicated two years ago in this section, in Spring 2012 we began another process of strategic reflection. This process set out the general lines of action to be developed until 2015.

It was a rapid and effective process. Not surprisingly, by the autumn of 2012, we had already detected the challenges facing the sector for which HEGAN could provide its members with support:

• Reinforce the value chain (Strengthen the value chain)
• Improve our positioning in the market (Improve our position with certain clients)
• Communication & Representation (Represent the sector)
• Give Context to take strategic decisions (Provide background information for strategic decision-making)
• Generate, retain and attract Talent (Generate, retain and attract talent)
• Specific Training (Specific training)

And all of these activities were based on a common principle: the culture of cooperation.

A complete review was also made of our organisation. Since then we have worked according to processes and projects. In 2015, a new version of the model was drawn up, which looks like this:

Although during this three-year period we have tried to focus on the first two challenges (those we considered to be linked directly to improving the competitiveness of our members), we have also worked on the others (they are all inter-dependent). These were the most significant activities in 2015:

Reinforce the value chain (R1):

• Innovation Plan: In March, six areas were being worked on. Expansive work sessions in the General Assembly and AeroTxoko, as well as other more specific work groups.
• Sessions on Opportunities for the Local Value Chain: the session organized with the Aernnova chain was completed and another was held with Aciturri, which was attended by 63 people from 54 organizations.
• Detection of gaps in the chain: 23 gaps were detected and work is being done to resolve them. Noteworthy aspects: Special processes (training in NDTs and AEIs project) and Additive Manufacturing (AEIs project).
• Learning Communities (CCA): two were implemented (the first with industrial supervisors and the second with managers) leaving the attendees greatly satisfied, and four are being arranged for 2016 (heads of innovation, sales reps, the second with industrial supervisors and the third with managers).
• Solutions for the cluster: civil liability insurance policies for the Aero sector (8 members participated in the Compitte solution; as well as another 38 companies (10 Basque) from the sector).
• Aeronautics Advanced Manufacturing Centre (CFAA): HEGAN and AFM presented a proposal to take charge of the technical secretariat of the association of businesses linked to the CFAA.
• HEGAN was chosen to stimulate the initiative of the Basque Ecodesign Centre promoted by Ihobe, and to collaborate in Elkarlanean – the innovation network promoted by the Provincial Council of Bizkaia (DFB).

Virtually all of the member companies have taken part in one or all of HEGAN's Challenge 1 activities in 2015!

 

Give Context to take strategic decisions (R4):

• We continue to provide permanent support for the “Competitive Intelligence System of the Cluster” (SICC, for its Spanish initials).
• We have been active in the EAQG (European Aerospace Quality Group) since 2003.
• Ad hoc assistance to member companies.

2,000 files uploaded to the SICC and 270 registered users!

Improve our positioning in the market (R2):

• Four internationalization actions: group participation in Le Bourget-Paris and Aerotrends-Bilbao (managed wholly by HEGAN); and in AIF-Bordeaux and Airtec-Munich (supporting the management of the Álava chamber of commerce as a representative of the Eusko Ganberak Basque chambers of commerce).
• Client/Country Teams: Meeting with ten member companies to stimulate the Client/Country Teams: two teams created.

Three quarters of the member companies have taken part in one or all of HEGAN's Challenge 2 activities in 2015!

 

Generate, retain and attract Talent (R5) and Specific Training (R6):

• Participation in talent-related shows and events and the provision of training, in collaboration with HETEL – association of private vocational training centres of the Basque Country – to define areas of vocational training work for the aero sector and coordinating other activities with BIZKAIA TALENT, an entity promoted by the Department of Economic Promotion of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia (DFB-BFA) to attract and keep talent in the Bilbao-Bizkaia-Basque Country area.
• A total of two courses (ISO 9001 and Visual Inspection (three editions)) and one training workshop (Intellectual Property) were given.
• The Cluster's new employment database tool already contains 230 CVs managed by the users and made available to all the member companies.

57 professionals have taken part in HEGAN's training activities!

Communication & Representation (R3):

• Regular actions: website maintenance, promotional support and Annual Report (2014). Some twenty active representation actions have been ongoing.
• Press releases, media appearances, etc.
• Active participation in the private initiative EACP – European Aerospace Cluster Partnership.
• MoU signed with Aeromontreal in Paris Airshow 2015.

We uphold the brand image and the quality of our collective image!

 

Generate a culture of cooperation and other internal improvement activities:

• In 2015, eight entities joined HEGAN. Full members: BATZ, DOILAN and KORTA. Collaborating members: EKIN, and the universities of UPV-EHU, Mondragon, Tecnun and Deusto.

In 2015 HEGAN grew to 48 members!

At HEGAN, our aim is to welcome all types of member (large and small entities and all the links in the value chain) in order to create an environment of trust that spearheads our collaborative developments, and to live according to our work slogan:
+trust = +cooperation = +value