During the month of May, ATOX Storage Systems celebrated its 25th anniversary. With more than 50 years of history, we celebrate the last 25 years, since in 1991 Grupo ATOX acquired the factory in which we continue today, but undergoing a drastic evolution, as a result of the commitment to innovation and international expansion. .
Throughout this series of articles we will tell you how this event was, full of history, memories, endearing looks to the past and exciting looks to the future.
A celebration full of memories, recognition and emotion
The act was inaugurated with the intervention of Mr. José Blásquiz, president of Grupo ATOX, whose first gesture was to dedicate an affectionate hug to all those present. This would serve as an omen for what was a day full of memories, friendship, mutual recognition and emotion.
Mr. Blásquiz pointed out how the desire to excel of the entire ATOX team, the loyalty of our customers and the trust of our suppliers and collaborators have allowed us to continue growing even in the complicated international economic situation of recent years. Blásquiz highlighted that one of our key principles is “to leave friends wherever we go” and that “our clients see us as someone who not only provided them with an appropriate solution, but also that they see us as a collaborator, a friend, a partner for the future” .
He narrated the story of how ATOX was born, from a personal point of view, the difficulties overcome and its expansion to Europe and Latin America. Addressing the attendees from the different countries where ATOX operates, Blásquiz confessed with satisfaction that “there is not only a working relationship, but also a personal relationship of friendship, of which, frankly, I feel very proud with all of you” .
He continued explaining how ATOX Storage Systems has evolved with the different storage facilities that it has carried out, addressing increasingly larger and more complex projects, until today, in which ATOX is currently manufacturing what will be one of the automatic warehouses largest in Europe, with a load capacity of more than 40,000 tons.
Finally, he dedicated a few words of thanks to all the customers who have placed their trust in us, followed by a few words of recognition saying that “none of this would have been possible without the technical, commercial, productive and administrative team of ATOX [… ] and if we were not always thinking about the future”.
After the speech of Mr. Blásquiz, took over from Mr. Antonio Porras, director of Grupo ATOX, who narrated the origin of the creation of Grupo ATOX and the personal motivations that led to it.
At ATOX Storage Systems we can feel proud of having achieved great successes and having forged a great reputation internationally, being leaders in metal shelving and storage systems due to our quality and commitment to service to our customers, all of this while keeping the first day the ethical and professional values with which ATOX was founded.
Remembering all this, Mr. Porras, with the same impetus that has always characterized him, encouraged not only to celebrate a 25th anniversary, but to move forward with energy, continuing to look to the future and to celebrate a 50th anniversary.
Porras ended his speech quoting words by Gandhi, which he considers have a lot to do with the ATOX family: that “the most beautiful day is today” and “the most beautiful distraction is work”, what makes him happiest is “being useful to others and friendship”, “the most beautiful thing, love” and “the first need, to communicate”, and, finally, “the greatest satisfaction, the duty fulfilled”.
Mr. Serge Lebordais, director of the ATOX Group, confessed his joy at being able to share this day together, emotionally recalling these 25 years lived. He wanted to give special importance to the more human side of ATOX Storage Systems, which is, ultimately, what makes our way of working special and the pillar for our excellence in service to our customers.
Lebordais also dedicated a few words in French to the representatives of our delegations, clients and collaborators who, coming from France, accompanied us on this emotional day.
Ms. Carmen Moriyón, Her Excellency Mayor of Gijón, honored us with her presence and dedicated a few words to highlighting the important role that companies such as ATOX Storage Systems play, providing both direct employment and economic activity for supplying and collaborating companies, despite the current difficult economic context. A recognition to “companies that have provided added value in a very short time, the result of the effort, work, intuition and audacity of their managers”.
Mrs. Paula Granjo, director of Grupo ATOX, recalled what these 25 years of ATOX Storage Systems have been, with words charged with emotions and her most personal vision. In addition to acknowledging Messrs. Blásquiz, Porras and Lebordais, there was also room for an emotional mention to the memory of Mr. Bárcena.
Recalling the beginnings and the motivations that led her to embark on this business project, Granjo took stock of this adventure: “you have years in which personal motivation is more important than money, security or stability. You really care about the project you believe in, there are so many ideals from your youth…, and if they are fed by a direction, some colleagues, you eat the world”. A few words that within ATOX Storage Systems we are aware of their full meaning, a personal motivation that has been able to navigate through the evolution of the company, the expansion of markets, internationalization and the challenges of new technologies and which means that, after 25 years, at ATOX we continue to grow together.
Our human team is our most precious resource
One of the main keys to the success of ATOX Storage Systems is our human team. Our qualified professionals, dedicated and committed to a job well done, demonstrating it every day, are the hallmark of ATOX, something that our clients and collaborators value and appreciate very especially.
During the celebration of the 25th anniversary of ATOX Storage Systems, tribute was paid to the people who have dedicated their entire professional lives to us. To all of them, and in extension to all those who continue each day, we thank you.
In the middle of this very special day for us, we shared a meal where all the attendees had the opportunity to chat, exchange experiences and get to know the most human and personal side of this great ATOX family. A few moments of fraternization and strengthening of ties that we know will later be transferred to the day-to-day work to continue growing together.
In this first part of this article we have focused on the more personal nature of our 25th anniversary. In the second part we will tell you about the evolution that the manufacturing process of metal racks has undergone in ATOX Storage Systems over the decades.
