In this edition, the DHL Atlas 2020 Awards wanted to recognize those SMEs that, despite the circumstances, “took off” with the wind in their faces and decided to take risks and reach new international markets.
La Royal Tapestry Factory of Madrid tonight hosted the award ceremony for the DHL Atlas Export Awards 2020, which recognize the work and effort made by the Spanish SMEs to internationalize their products and services, in a time, also, marked by the pandemic of the COVID-19.
The Secretary of State for Commerce, Xiana Margarida Mendez, presided over the event which was attended by numerous experts and professionals from the Spanish business sector. The most prominent exporting companies, which have witnessed the proclamation of the winners: AUSA, Wallbox, Sips and Original Gift.
In this edition, the DHL Atlas Awards 2020 They wanted to recognize those SMEs that, despite the circumstances, “took off” with the wind in their faces and decided to take risks and reach new goals. international markets. A total of 118 applications have been submitted, from a total of 63 companies, most of them from the Community of Madrid and Catalonia, although a large number of companies have also been counted Basque Country, Valencian Community and Andalusia.
In the words of Miguel Borrás, general director of DHL Express in Spain, “the high quality of candidacies presented never ceases to surprise”, despite the difficulty of this period in which “the results have not always been satisfactory”. However, he added that “there is a lot of talent and excellent businesses spread across many corners of Spain.”
FULL VIDEO OF THE DHL ATLAS AWARDS AWARDS CEREMONY
During the event, the Secretary of State for Commerce recognized the efforts of these companies that “started from being very small and overcame, with enthusiasm and talent, the great difficulties of facing the challenges of internationalization”, in addition to continuing to “support the internationalization of SMEs that diversify their markets.” Likewise, Xiana Méndez highlighted the relevance of technology, innovation and the commitment to sustainability as fundamental lines of action for the internationalization of Spanish companies.
For his part, Borrás influenced the e-commerce growth, the importance of digitalization and the necessary commitment to sustainability. In the case of this last point, he confirmed that the DHL group is going to invest 7.000 million euros in green operations. Furthermore, he stressed that at the essence of the company there is another fundamental value, which is that of support “Spanish SMEs as they go abroad” to have “more and better companies competing in international markets".
The Awards jury was made up of Xiana Margarida Mendez, Secretary of State for Commerce, as Honorary President; Julián López-Arenas, Director of Competitiveness of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce; Íñigo Gil-Casares Armada, director of Institutional and Business Cooperation at ICEX; Pablo Lopez, General Director of the Forum of Renowned Spanish Brands; Cesar Tello, CEO of Adigital; Alfredo Bonet, general secretary of the Círculo de Empresarios, and Nicolas Mouze, Marketing and Sales Director of DHL Express Spain and Portugal.
To choose the winners, the experts have analyzed the growth, expansion, investment, innovation and sustainability of the companies that have submitted candidatures. Likewise, they have valued the implementation of inclusive policies and the promotion of diversity, which represent a commitment to equality regardless of gender, as well as CSR policies in the company.
The Secretary of State for Commerce has been in charge of delivering the Great Atlas Export Award to AUSA, AUSA Center, SLU, dedicated to the manufacture of industrial vehicles to load and move materials. This company based in Manresa (Barcelona) will receive funding from DHL Express for a trade mission organized by a Chamber of Commerce. In choosing the winning company, with affiliates and subsidiaries in France, United Kingdom, Germany, United States and China, different characteristics have tipped the balance such as the generation of added value to Spain, its important presence in the American market and its long export and international history with 60% of sales outside our market to more than 70 countries.
Xiana Méndez highlighted that “despite the impact of the pandemic on trade flows, Spanish companies have been able to maintain their share in foreign markets, so that they can now face the recovery with optimism. To this end, it was approved Action Plan for the Internationalization of the Spanish Economy 2021-2022 launched by the Secretary of State for Commerce to provide instruments and tools to support internationalization that help the transformation of the foreign sector to be more resilient, competitive and adapt to new trends.”
On the other hand, the winners of the three Second Prize awards were:
Wallbox, born in 2015 with headquarters in the Barcelona municipality of Sant Andreu de la Barca, has been done with Accesit for the Most Innovative Export for responding to a great market need, such as contributing to the environmental decarbonization process, for its wide range of products and for being a global company since the creation of its foundations. The company develops intelligent charging systems for electric vehicles, with cutting-edge technology and outstanding design. It offers a complete portfolio of energy and charging management solutions for residential, semi-public and public use in more than 60 countries.
Sorbos, SORBO MJV SL, originally from Montornés del Vallés (Barcelona), has risen with the Accesit to the Most Sustainable Export thanks to its unique product in the world: edible straws created to reduce and eliminate single-use plastic. With a completely sustainable and environmentally friendly value proposition, during 2020, despite the difficult situation caused by the pandemic, they increased their exports, and currently market their product to more than 30 countries.
Original Gift.com, a Madrid company, based in Alcobendas, and founded in 2012, has received the Access to Export through E-commerce. It has been recognized for its original business model and with sustained growth in sales and a good financial situation, going from 12% of exports in 2019 to 31% in 2020. Its project to sell breakfasts at home and personalized products has not stopped. to grow, selling in Europe in English, French and German, and planning new markets such as Poland, Belgium and the Netherlands.
