Behin batean.* In Euskera “Once upon a time”. #workshop 1940 – 1971 The history of Grupo Arania began in 1940, in a complex post-war context of job shortages, when Mr. Arana and Mr. Estefanía decided to join forces and surnames to forge their own path. And so began a small workshop in Bilbao, centring principally on stamping, as well as manufacturing buckles and tubes. With stress and craft, that space—initially in Botika Vieja, then expanding with a second location and finally unifying the two in Bolueta in 1951—grew while maintaining its friendly, artisan essence. At this stage, our activity diversified with the incorporation of welded tube manufacture in the late 1940s and shelves in the late 1950s, in conjunction with the first hot-rolling work. The integration of Lafemesa in 1967 consolidated the lamination work and reinforced the industrial ambition of the project. Thus the humble workshop started to become a company with future vision, laying the foundations for what in time and with great effort would become Grupo Arania. 1940 Arania began in Calle Botika Vieja 42-44, in Bilbao. Mr. Arana and Mr. Estefanía joined forces to start up a small workshop that would soon become much more than a shared project. 1946 Acquisition of a second workshop in Calle Gordóniz 28 in Bilbao, a reflection of the constant growth of those first years. 1951 Unification of the two workshops and move to Bolueta, dedicated to stamping, welded tubes and shelves. A key step towards a more robust and unified operation. 1967 Acquisition of Lafemesa (Laminados Férricos y Metálicos) in Apatamonasterio, increasing capacities and our industrial horizon. #company 1971 – 1991 En 1971, con la apertura de la planta de Amorebieta, el taller dio el salto definitivo para convertirse en empresa. Este traslado marcó también un punto de inflexión en la actividad: tras más de 30 años, se abandona la estampación —seña de identidad desde los orígenes— y se deja de fabricar tubo, orientando el negocio hacia nuevas líneas como el corte y las estanterías. La profesionalización y la diversificación se impulsan con la adquisición de Manufacturas Permet en Galdakao en 1976, lo que supone la reactivación de la actividad de tubo soldado. The floods of 1983 were a significant turning point. The force of the water swept away Galdakao and flooded Amorebieta, destroying installations and halting work, but also demonstrated our capacity for response and the unity of the team. The reconstruction reorganised processes, reinforcing resilience and confirming that the company was ready to advance towards a major stage. 1971 The new Arania plant in Amorebieta, integrating the operations of Bolueta and Apatamonasterio. Promotion of cold rolling: a new industrial stage. 1976 Our welded tube work we used to do from the late 1940s until 1971 was restarted. Acquisition of Manufacturas Permet in Galdakao, specialising in this type of production. 1983 Welded tubes were taken to Galdakao, generating independent business units, and diversifying activity. The floods in Bilbao destroyed installations and halted activity. The reconstruction became symbol of resilience: Permet was reorganised and took on all of the shelving manufacture that up to then had been done in Amorebieta. #transformation 1991 – 2011 The 1990s opened up a new dimension. Arania evolved towards an industrial group model, adding new companies and specialisations. The development of Aratubo, the expansion of AR Racking, the incorporation of Technometal and Laminación Vizcaya and the creation of central services consolidated this growth. This process responded to a commitment to specialisation: focused autonomous businesses oriented at providing greater value, which involved strategic sacrifice and a transformation of the model. In a context of crisis, the commitment to productivity and added value fostered bold, brave and transformative ideas that marked the end of an era and the evolution towards a more specialised and competitive model. A transformation that consolidated the company and prepared it to ambitiously face the next stage in its development. 1991 AR Systems (now AR Shelving) began, specialising in the light shelving market, inheriting the activity that Arania started in its early years. It was constituted as an metalworking partnership. 1997 Faced with the need for more space due to the growth of the sector, Arania’s tube manufacture moved to the new Aratubo plant in Júndiz (Vitoria-Gasteiz). A modern, automated and dynamic factory since it began as a continuation of the activity started in the late 1940s in Arania. 1998 The creation of the group’s central services with Bandas de Acero was the culmination of the metalworking partnership process. 2000 The final step in preparing the Arania plant in Amorebieta to specialise in lamination with ambitions of becoming an European leader, definitively renouncing its cutting work. Comprehensive renovation of the installations with a new cold rolling mill that completely modernised the factory. 2004 Launch of AR Estant (now AR Racking) in Tudela, an ex novo project emerging as the evolution of AR Systems and designed as a new independent stage. With a plant covering 7,000 m², it was consolidated as the fourth industrial leg of the metalworking partnership: industrial storage systems. 2007 Opening of Arestec technology centre by AR Estant in Zamudio (Bizkaia), reinforcing our commitment to innovation. 2008 In the middle of the financial crisis, AR Systems acquired its competitor Technometal as a manufacturing plant in Slovakia. Meanwhile, Arania acquired Laminación Vizcaya S.A., a company located in Basauri, specialising in special qualities and small batches. 2009 Aratubo started to manufacture tubes with interior fettling, opening the door to the automotion market, and Arania received the Ernst & Young award for best internationalisation. Constitution of AR Storage Solutions as a storage systems brand, reinforcing its European leadership with a change of range and product. The space in Tudela was tripled to 21,000 m2. 2010 – 2014 AR Racking continued its international expansion with new offices: Chile and United Kingdom (2010); Colombia (2013) and Valencia (2014). #Grupo 2011 – present In 2011 the brand Grupo Arania was created, standardising the identity of all the business units and consolidating a group model. From there, internationalisation and the reinforcement of the industrial capacity were promoted through new investment and expansion. Innovation was consolidated as a key axis along with R&D and the development of technical capacity, providing value and reinforcing the group’s leadership. At the same time, sustainability was integrated across all areas of strategy, promoting initiatives aimed at efficiency, reduced impact and responsible development. Grupo Arania reaffirmed its evolution as a solid industrial group, with an international focus and a commitment to sustainable growth. 2011 The trademark Grupo Arania was officially created, giving a unified identity to all the business units. Three years later, it was consolidated as such; until then it had operated as metalworking partnership. 2015 Grupo Arania received the Internationalisation Award from Bilbao Chamber of Commerce. AR Racking opened new offices in Madrid and A Coruña. 2016 Arania finalised an order with Austrian manufacturer Ebner for the supply and installation of bell annealing furnaces. Aratubo built its second production building covering 14,000 m² and AR Racking inaugurated offices in France and Barcelona. 2017 AR Racking expanded its production site in Tudela, reaching 35,000 m², and opened offices in Peru and Asturias. 2018 Aratubo built its third building, measuring 24,000 m², while AR Racking expanded with new offices in Germany. Also that year, the AR Lab research laboratories at the University of Mondragón were set up. 2019 In Amorebieta Arania united its two production sites: the plant in the town itself and Laminación Vizcaya in Basauri. A single, more efficient, cohesive centre was created, ready for the future. 2020 Celebration of Grupo Arania’s 80th anniversary. 2021 Collaboration agreement with the UPV/EHU with the creation of Aula AR Racking – Storage Solution. 2022 Branches of AR Racking Inc. and AR Shelving Inc. were opened in Charlotte, North Carolina (United States). Here, in Bizkaia, Grupo Arania’s new Sustainability department was opened, directed by Ana Guinea, and the first Non-Financial Status Report (NFSR) was published. 2023 Arania and Aratubo calculated and verified their carbon footprints (Scopes 1, 2 and 3) based on ISO 14064. Arania also validated its Product Carbon Footprint tool (Arania PCF Tool) and received the 2023 Sustainability Award from Arbigi Enpresa, while Aratubo obtained the 2023 SEA Healthy Business Award. That year Grupo Arania acquired Lamincer Precision Steel, S.A.U. and incorporated it into the group. 2024 The first edition of the Impulsa Programme was held in collaboration with the University of Deusto and the sustainable transport project was launched with an electric lorry. 2025 Grupo Arania celebrated its 85 anniversary, reaffirming the values that have guided its path: responsibility, commitment, innovation and team work. A milestone that bears testimony to the value of everyone who is part of the group and that continues to be the engine for its growth. Today, Grupo Arania continues to evolve, without losing the essence that began in that workshop: with responsibility, looking to the future and putting people first.
A story that begins in 1940. #Grupo Arania: a story of constant evolution and change
