The aim of this prize is to recognise the work and career of female managers and businesswomen, and honour bodies that stand out for making an effort to incorporate women in the business environment, as is the case with IZAR.

Mari Feli Arrizabalaga has been working at IZAR since 1977 and has been a member of the Bizkaia-based firm’s Board of Directors since 2003. Between 2007 and 2011, which were extremely difficult years, she held the post of Chairwoman of the Board.

During her whole career, she has worked actively, representing the company at different forums and driving the different projects promoted by the company with the collaboration and approval of the Board of Directors. These were all projects aimed at improving production, innovation and internationalisation without forgetting the firm’s commitment to corporate social responsibility.

The award ceremony was held on 30 May at the Hotel Carlton in Bilbao and the prizes were presented, among others, by Imanol Pradales, councillor in charge of economic development at the Provincial Council of Bikzaia; José Angel Corres, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce; Oihane Agirregoitia, councillor from Bilbao City Council; Sonía Pérez, the Basque Government’s Deputy Minister of Labour; and Miguel Angel Lujua, Chairman of Confebask.

In her speech of thanks, Mari Feli Arrizabalaga highlighted what it means to be a board member in a company like IZAR: “An experience and great challenge as being a board member in a company like ours means that we have to combine the responsibility of our job with the responsibility of knowing about, giving one’s opinion on and approving a Business Plan, strategic plans…”.

Finally, she went on to talk about what makes the cutting tool company located in Amorebieta different: “It has also been and is an opportunity to get to know my company better. Working directly on approving our mission and looking in depth at the traits and values that characterise us helps to understand much better the goals we set ourselves as a company with a future: quality, innovation, process improvements, customer focus…goals that in spite of the difficult times we are living are helping us to look to the future with calmness and with optimism.”

IZAR CUTTING TOOLS S.A.L., Tel +34 94 630 02 45 – Fax +34 94 630 02 37 - izar@izartool.com – www.izartool.com