PUK Portacables was founded in 1992, but its roots go way back, don't they?
Exactly. PUK Portacables is part of PUK-Werke, a company founded in 1969 in Germany by two visionaries, Anton Klein and Hermann Pohl. Both already had experience in manufacturing cable clamps, but decided to join forces to create ‘Pohl and Klein’ or PUK for short. In 1992 PUK Portacables, our subsidiary in Barcelona, was born. Since then, expansion has not stopped, and today we have subsidiaries in countries such as Poland, Turkey, the Netherlands, Russia, Romania and Switzerland.
In 2016, PUK-Werke was renamed the PUK Group. And in 2019, they joined forces with the brands JORDAHL and H-BAU Technik under the umbrella of PohlCon Vertriebs GmbH. Finally, in 2021, they became PohlCon GmbH, a single company encompassing the best of all three brands. However, PUK Portacables lives on as a product brand, maintaining the spirit of quality and reliability that started more than 50 years ago.
How was your growth in Spain?
The first steps in the Iberian Peninsula were taken more than 30 years ago. It was in the automotive sector and with Francisco Redondo, the founder of our subsidiary. We started our activities with successful projects in Barcelona, Martorell and Pamplona. This allowed us to establish PUK Portacables S.L., with our first headquarters in Olesa de Montserrat.
Growth was so rapid that, just one year later, we moved to Abrera, 35 kilometres from Barcelona, to be closer to our customers and improve our service. In 1995, we opened our branch in Pamplona, which not only covers the Northern Zone, but also acts as our Technical Office. And in 2012, we expanded our presence to Madrid. That same year, we took a big step in the installation of photovoltaic structures with more than 60 MWp supplied and installed.
Of course, things have changed a lot and the company has been adapting to the new times, but we remain faithful to what has made us grow in the market, which is to develop tailor-made solutions, especially for each of our customers, adapted exactly to their needs.
Could it be said that project customisation is your differential value?
No doubt about it. From day one we have been committed to tailor-made solutions. That's what gives our services that extra edge, and what satisfies both us and our clients. Each project is unique and has its own challenges, so our team analyses every detail to design specific solutions that guarantee safety, efficiency and long-term durability. Moreover, we think not only of our customers' current needs, but also of their future ones. That's why the first step is always to listen and understand the particularities of each infrastructure.
Your headquarters are in Baix Llobregat, a strategic location for you.
Absolutely. We decided to move there because it is the heart of a very dynamic industrial fabric. Our 2,000 m² warehouse is in a privileged location, with access to the main transport routes, close to the port of Barcelona and El Prat airport.
In this area we have found the ideal environment for collaboration and mutual growth. For example, the automotive sector has a long tradition here, with some of the most important companies in the country. There is also a strong presence of sectors such as pharmaceuticals and consumer goods. In addition, Baix Llobregat is also emerging as a centre of advanced technology, which opens up opportunities in more complex applications such as data centres, renewable energies or intelligent transport systems.
What major trends or changes are you seeing in the cable management and support industry?
We are in the midst of a transformation. Automation and robotics are changing the rules of the game, and this requires solutions that ensure reliable and safe electrical installations. This is where cable carrier systems have become indispensable.
On the other hand, the transition to renewable energies, such as photovoltaic systems, is gaining prominence. Although cabling is an unseen component, its correct installation is indispensable for these sectors to flourish. This positions us as a key ally on the road to more sustainable development.
What are your goals for 2025?
We have big plans. We are in the midst of an expansion and digitalisation process, with the aim of bringing our activity to new regions of the peninsula. In fact, we recently expanded our workforce with the aim of strengthening our presence in Madrid and Castilla-La Mancha.
As a family business, we remain committed to the values that our father, Francisco Redondo, established from the beginning: quality, customer proximity and honesty in every decision. These principles guide our company's policy in all areas.
In addition, we are currently working on several exciting projects that seek to strengthen our identity and offer an even closer and more personalised experience. Although we can't say much about it yet, 2025 will be a key year for us, with changes that will reflect our commitment to innovation and growth.