NEW GENERAL MANAGER AT IZAR CUTTING TOOLS SAL

Oscar de Manuel takes over as General Manager of IZAR Cutting Tools SAL as Carlos Pujana steps down to remain in collaboration with the company as advisor to the Board of Directors.

Carlos joined the company as Sales Director in 1997. He reorganised the company's sales policy and overhauled the sales network, innovating in products, segmenting markets and renewing the brand image at points of sale, as well as investing in logistics excellence and managing to expand sales to over 90 countries worldwide.

He stepped into the role of General Manager in 2004, bringing continuity to the company's powerful investment policy which had commenced in 1998. He oversaw the construction of a new factory in Boroa with an investment of over 18 million euros, which was inaugurated in 2008 and has today become one of the most modern tooling factories in the world, while at the same time undertaking a complete generational renewal of the workforce.

Among other roles, Carlos Pujana has held the post of President of AMT (the Spanish Association of Manufacturers of Machine Tools, Accessories, Parts and Tools), President of ASLE (Group of worker-owned companies in the Basque Country) and President of the HSS Research Forum (international organisation of steel and cutting tool manufacturers).

His work at IZAR was recognised in 2011 when he was awarded the “Euskal Manager” prize as best manager in the Basque Country. This award is organised by EITB and the business press, and the jury is made up of Basque business owners.

Oscar De Manuel is an industrial engineer. He speaks fluent English and French and has been working with IZAR for the past year and a half as Deputy General Manager.

During this time, he has led the project to implement a digital manufacturing model and has contributed to the gestation of a professional advancement model for persons working within the organisation. He is currently driving a reflection process to define the strategic lines for the company for the period 2023-2026.

He has had substantial additional training in leadership and management skills, as well as having gained renown in this prior professional career in social economy companies, where he held positions as both Sales Director and Industrial Director.

Oscar De Manuel is taking on the challenge of leading the global growth project of IZAR Cutting Tools SAL and we wish him the greatest success in its development.