We passed a 2020 of difficult tests ...

The 1st is coming. January and we Cubans will celebrate a new Anniversary of the Triumph of the Revolution; this time, leaving behind a difficult year like few others, but one that put our strength and resilience to the test. We are preparing for the arrival of 2021 with new challenges focused mainly on containing the spread of Covid-19 and on directing our country towards the path of economic recovery, a goal in which the national industry will play a fundamental role.
The work carried out in 2020 by the iron and steel industry was meritorious. The workers of our companies had to overcome the limitations imposed by the pandemic, with the requirement of physical and social distancing and, therefore, the obligation to organize work routines in such a way that life and health were protected in the first order . Likewise, they were able to face the material and financial difficulties associated with the global economic crisis derived from said pandemic and the intensification of the economic, financial and commercial blockade of the United States Government against Cuba, more marked in this period of the Administration. Trump.

GESIME faced all these obstacles in 2020. However, this did not prevent the country from responding with the productions and services necessary for the prioritized programs and sectors, even with alternative productions for its own confrontation with Covid-19. Nor did it stop the execution of the investments planned for the technological modernization of the industry or advance in development projects, where the productive chain, integration and collaboration with other industries, research centers and universities was a working premise, which without doubts worked, showing that united we are stronger.
Some examples of these industrial collaborations are productions for the agri-food sector, among them:
• Cane harvesting machines models CCA - 5000 on tires and CCA - 5500 on mats that have concluded their development stage, the main objective of which is its validation planned for the next harvest 2020 - 2021, allowing the rescue of this production in Cuba.
• The start-up of the first project for a Cuban tractor, as well as diversification in the production of three-phase and single-phase electric motors.
• The design of forage machines for the processing of animal feed and cane harvesters are reconverted into multifunctional equipment for industrial work.
• Taxing local development, work is being done on the construction and assembly of warehouses for chicken farms and new mini-industries for processing fruits and vegetables, equipment is being developed for lines of the meat, dairy, and canning, confectionery, derivatives of flour, beverages and fisheries, as well as strengthening service structures, which provide sustainability to this sector down to the local level.
In the construction sector (linked to MICONS, Research Centers and Universities):
• Equipment, molds and spare parts for local house construction.
• Design and construction of low carbon cement plants.
• Project for the use of steel slag in the production of materials for construction and projectable for the treatment of surfaces.

Specifically, some of the alternative productions for the confrontation with Covid-19 aimed at Hygiene and Public Health:
• Production of stretchers and incinerators for hospitals, shelves and isothermal containers for the storage and transport of medicines.
• Sustainability services for ambulances, garbage trucks, and hearse.
Likewise, during 2020 the presence of GESIME companies in the Mariel Development Zone increased. Currently, a presence of 28 entities is achieved, reaching sales of 13.2 MMP this year and growing 40% with respect to the previous one.
Through production and commercial management, stable supplies are maintained for the works in progress: metal structures and construction solutions of multiple types, tanks, doors, aluminum carpentry, gratings, scaffolding, bars and meshes, screws and nails, shelves, media transport, among others. As well as project services are provided to the DIP and for sustainability to machine tools and equipment.

Without hesitation, GESIME prepared for a 2021 full of challenges

For this 2021, GESIME will venture into new challenges, firstly, reorienting its economic processes according to the monetary system that the country will implement as of January 1. Likewise, it will put into practice its Economic Recovery Strategy, adjusted to the country strategy and in the same way, taking into account the objectives of the Development Strategy of the business group with a view to 2030.
In this sense, it is a priority for GESIME:
- achieve higher levels of activity and use of installed capacities,
- Continue strengthening the productive chains with the strategic sectors and promote forms of commercialization that allow the retention of foreign currency (electronic commerce, sales in stores in MLC, sales in the Mariel Special Development Zone), and facilitate financing and replenishments for production processes.
- Continue the investments in progress and carry out others focused on specific projects related to exports or to designated sectors where the impact can be seen in the short term.
- Promote innovation and a greater relationship with universities from each company, as well as the strengthening of research centers belonging to the business group.
- Advance in the certification of Quality Management Systems, an important goal to be achieved to demonstrate greater efficiency and competitiveness, the necessary requirements to increase the substitution of imports and exports, especially in the metal-mechanic branch, unavoidable demands made by the country to our industry.
Similarly, work will be done to consolidate business improvement in the system, betting on more autonomous, creative companies with an increasingly effective and efficient management capacity.
GESIME overcame many obstacles in this 2020 that is ending and will continue to demonstrate its ability to innovate, grow and adapt to new circumstances. Therefore, the Cuban iron and steel industry will respond to the demands of the new times of this Living Cuba that does not stop in terms of strengthening its economy and guaranteeing greater well-being to the people.
That is the commitment of GESIME in Year 63 of the Revolution. Undoubtedly, Cuba has GESIME.
Happy 62nd Anniversary of the Triumph of the Revolution !!