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| INTRODUCTION The Spanish Economy, in the new context within the Economic and Monetary Union, has increased its competitive capabilities, shortening the historical distance compared to the rest of the European partners. We are witnessing and participating in standards and processes that are constantly changing, where technology is always developing, and the globalisation of the economic activites and the continous increase of international competitive markets, make us reconsider the inherited models of generating and managing wealth. The Spanish society has achieved enormous success in adapting to this process, assuming changes in its culture, in its entrepreneurial activity and in its politics, plus strengthening its position among the developed countries and with significantly improved levels of income and welfare. Many Spanish companies are involved in continuous improvement and expectation, and in this new philosophy, the knowledge, the innovation and the technological processes are the basic pillars for economical growth and welfare. The excellence they pursue in their products, processes or services is the most important competitive agent, and provides a considerable source of wealth, employment and quality of life for everyone. With the new edition of the Premios Principe Felipe awards to the Entrepreneurial Excellence, The Ministry of the Economy and the Ministry of Science and Technology would like to reward a few of these companies. |
| AWARD TO THE ENTREPRENEURIAL
EXCELLENCE The Award “Principe Felipe to the Entrepreneurial Excellence” is a co-operation between the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Science and Technology, with the objective to make a public recognition of Spanish companies which have achieved an important standard of improving their competitiveness, which would encourage other companies to continue and work towards this excellence. Since the first edition in 1993 and thanks to the support of H. R. M the Prince of Asturias, who allowed the honour to be named after him and be the president at the prize-giving ceremony. These awards are considered to be the highest reward within the business community and its activities. This prestige is reinforced in each edition through the work of the jury, formed with experts and professionals of renowned reputation, which guarantees their neutrality and impartiality. |
| AWARD IN EACH COMPETITIVE
ELEMENT The Award “Principe Felipe to the Entrepreneurial Excellece” is structured in nine categories, corresponding to the different competitive elements as defined by the two Ministries named above, to benefit the development and progress of Spanish companies. The companies that are considered qualified to apply for the award can submit their candidatures to one or any of the following categories.
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| The companies applying for two or more candidatures
may apply for the Award Principe Felipe to the Entrepreneurial Competitiveness.
This award has a higher level of the rest, in two different categories:
Medium to Small size companies, and Large companies. All the awards are honorary and do not involve any economic reward. The awarded companies receive a trophy, and the nominated companies receive a certificate. Both, awarded and nominated companies, can use the successful status in letterheads, advertisements and other communication methods, specifying the year in which they were awarded, and to include the category and the category of award achieved. |
| NOMINATIONS • "PRINCIPE FELIPE" AWARD TO DESIGN • "PRINCIPE FELIPE" AWARD TO INTERNATIONALISATION |
| JURY OF "PRÍNCIPE FELIPE" AWARD
TO THE BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS President Mr. José Manuel Fernández Norniella President of the National Board of Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation. Secretary Mr. Arturo González Romero Technological Politic General Director Minister of Science and Technology Vocals Mrs. Inmaculada Álvarez Morillas President of the Spanish Association of Businesswomen Mrs. María Isabel Barreiro Fernández General director for Small to Medium size companies Minister of Economy. Mr. José Luis Castañeda Boliche President of SERCOBE Mr. José Marçia Cuevas President of CEOE Mr. Manuel Melgar Oliver President of OFICEMEN Mr. Ramón Naz Pajares General director of the Spanish Association of Normalisation and Certificatión, AENOR Mr. Jesús Ruiz-Beato Bravo President of ANFAC |
| PRINCIPE FELIPE AWARD TO
THE BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS FOR THE MEDIUM TO SMALL SIZE COMPANIES This prize has been awarded to Akaba in recognition of their professionally managed growth, plus their success in exporting to world markets. From the beginning of Akaba, its management philosophy was not only to achieve sales success, but to be recognised and accepted in the international communities as a furniture brand whose design-led products also meet the responsible demands of commercial environments. |
| AKABA, S.A. Akaba started their activity in 1986. From the onset the project has grown and matured, and the reality of today is that more than half its production is being exported to principal markets around the world. The brand is placed within the largest of a sector, and has been awarded with many prizes and recognitions for their designs. In February 2001, Akaba received from His Majesty Juan Carlos I, King of Spain, the National Design Prize 2000 to the business trajectory, using design as a principal axis of the project, and the results of international success. |
| DESIGN EXPORT Akaba is a young enterprising, modern company. It is organised and prepared to achieve success from the global market requirements. The company integrates all the stages of the productive process - design, investigation and development, manufacture and selling. Akaba exports 60% of its production to the most developed markets and countries of the world. The company is certified to ISO 9001/2000, with a quality philosophy oriented to the client's satisfaction, developing a business culture of total quality management based on the European EFQM model. It is a successful company which has grown in importance in the last few years, and its designs are internationally valued having a manufacturing licence to sell to leading companies in Germany and the United States of America. |
| LEADERSHIP QUALITIES In Akaba the work style is closely connected with the EFQM culture (European Foundation of Quality Management), and they believe that conviction is the best way to improve their entrepreneurial culture. The client orientation commitment and the leadership volition in the sector is the best motivation for continuing to develop the enterprise model in conjunction with those rules, always seeking the satisfaction of the client, the workers and the shareholders. The implication of the enterprise with the geographical and social environment, is an important expression of their project. This is the business philosophy of Akaba - "a different way of doing things". |
| RANGE EXPANSION, INNOVATION
AND SECURITY The strategy in the medium term is based on an expansion of the product collection, introducing new lines such as office chairs, and for the transport sector (e.g. airports, railway stations), continuing to be strong in the sector of collectivity products where Akaba are leaders in Spain, and want to be so in the medium term in Europe. Innovation is one of the motors of the R&D philosophy, and of the enterprise in all aspects of activities. This incorporates last generation technologies and materials, with all their products conforming to the safety norms established for the sector, where Akaba can emphasise the American BIFMA norm, which is essential for access to the American market. |
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