Key Sectors of Industrial Activity in Spain
Key Sectors of Industrial Activity
Industrial activities are grouped into sectors, according to the final destination of goods produced. We can distinguish:
- Industry-Based: These transform raw materials into semi-finished products, which, in turn, are used as feedstock for other industries. Examples include the steel and petrochemical industries.
- Equipment Industry: These produce goods, machinery, or tools that are used by other industries in their industrial processes.
- Consumer Goods Industry: These transform materials with different degrees of development or different products into goods that are used or consumed directly by people.
Traditional Industries
These industries had great importance in the process of industrialization and are related to basic metals. Both the basis for industrial activities and economic dimension, jobs, etc. The most prominent is the metallurgy of iron (steel), which was consolidated in the Basque Country and spread to the Mediterranean and Asturias. Its oversized capacity in relation to Spanish needs was one of the causes of its crisis. The metal processing industry also manufactures a range of products ranging from hardware to machinery and has a greater spatial dispersion. The manufacture of appliances grew parallel to the changes in society in the 1960s.
Shipbuilding is one of the most important traditional industries. There are large shipyards in Ferrol and Cadiz, specializing in the construction of oil tankers and bulk carriers. In addition to major shipyards, there are smaller businesses dedicated to the construction of fishing boats or recreational boats. The shipbuilding industry has been declining since 1990.
The textile, leather, and footwear industries were one of the pillars of industrialization but experienced significant changes related to the replacement of organic fibers with chemical fibers or related to enterprise restructuring.
Most Dynamic Sectors
Generally, these are activities with a high technological component, large fiscal and international capital, and large facilities. The automobile sector developed in Spain in the 1960s. It prospered under state protection and the protection of investments made by major multinational brands. It constitutes an area of great influence in the economy.
The chemical sector is built around petrochemicals and chemical transformation. The first takes place in large industrial complexes associated with oil refineries. The second produces fertilizers, paints, etc. Its facilities are smaller in size.
The food industry is a process of transformation of agricultural products. It is dominated by small and medium-sized factories, but major companies have also been established.
Sectors at the Forefront of Industry
These are tech sectors that provide discoveries, new materials, methods, and means for the improvement of industrial production. They integrate various branches of electronics, occupy modern technology parks, and require highly skilled labor. Finally, they exert an important role in dissemination and innovation in other industries.