Joaquín Piñón becomes president of Ascer

On 9 July, Joaquín Piñón Gaya was appointed the new president of the Spanish ceramic tile manufacturers’ association Ascer.

He previously held the position of vice president and now takes over from Fernando Diago, who was at the helm of the association for the last 11 years.
Piñón was the only nominee for Ascer president following the resignation on 16 April of the association’s entire executive board following the severe crisis that has hit the Spanish tile industry. The forecasts for 2009 include a fall in production of more than 40%, a drop in exports of close to 30% and – according to trade union estimates – a loss of between 8,000 and 9,000 jobs.

Commenting on his appointment, the new president said: “Becoming president of Ascer is a source of pride, a responsibility and a challenge that should be taken up with enthusiasm and dedication but at the same time humility.”

The key goals in his agenda include securing the active support of the public administrations at all levels, from local up to central government, and pressurising banks to guarantee access to credit and financing required for the continuity of industrial activities.
Another top priority for Piñón is the drafting and signing of the labour agreement between the social partners and the government for the early retirement of approximately 2,000 – 2,500 workers over 55 years of age. Amongst the measures to be adopted to stimulate the sector, the new head of Ascer sees environmental policies, internationalisation, boosting the Tiles of Spain promotional mark, improving customer services and logistic processes and greater efforts in process and product innovation.

Since 1979 Joaquín Piñón has been sole administrator of the family-owned ceramic company Gayafores. In addition to his work for Ascer, Piñón is also president of the Ceramic Technology Institute (ITC) and vice president of Cevisama.

The executive board of the Spanish ceramic tile manufacturers’ association for the next four years consists of the following: president, Joaquín Piñón Gaya (Hijos de Francisco Gaya Forés, S.L), vice chairmen, Carlos Cabrera Ahis (Ceracasa, S.A.), Vicente Nomdedeu Lluesma (Azteca Gres, S.L.), José Castellano Esteve (Cerámica Decorativa, S.A.). Directors are: Vicente Nomdedeu Sanchis (Azulejos Sanchis, S.L.), Juan Ballester Porcar (Ballester Porcar, S.L.), Diego Navarro Abella (Cerámica Saloni, S.A.), Agustín López Alseda (Cerámicas del Foix S.A.), Miguel González Gálvez (Colorker, S.A.), Manuel Rubert Andrés (Natucer SL), Jorge Bauset Fos (Pamesa Cerámica SL), Daniel Cadroy Viciano (Porcelánicos HDC, S.A.), Isidro Zarzoso Bonet (Realonda, S.A.), Carlos Camahort Carmona (Taulell, S.A.).