Spanish Industry: A Sectoral Analysis
Industrial Sectors by Product Destination and Raw Materials
Industrial activities are grouped into sectors based on the final product or the raw materials used.
Traditional Industrial Sectors
Traditional sectors played a key role in Spain’s industrialization, particularly those related to metals.
Basic Metal Industry
The basic metal industry is crucial to Spanish industry, driving economic activity, employment, and access to other sectors like mining.
Steel Industry
The most prominent metal industry is steel.
Integrated Steel Industry
Initially consolidated in the Basque Country, integrated steel production expanded to the Mediterranean and Asturias, fueled by the Instituto Nacional de Industria. Its large scale contributed to later crises and restructuring.
Non-Integrated Steel Industry
Characterized by smaller, private companies, non-integrated steel production is mainly in the Basque Country, extending to Navarra, Asturias, and Catalonia.
Metal Processing Industry
Ranging from hardware to machinery, metal processing involves small and medium businesses, concentrated in the Basque Country, Catalonia, and Madrid.
Appliance Manufacturing
This sector has grown significantly, supplying goods for modern homes amid strong domestic demand.
Shipbuilding Industry
Historically a major sector, shipbuilding saw the construction of large shipyards supported by the INI. Public companies like Astana and Empresa Nacional Bazan specialized in large vessels. The oil crisis significantly impacted the sector, leading to restructuring in the 1990s.