Pedro Sánchez’s announcement that he will reduce the VAT on gas from 21% to 5%, heating bill however, unless the decree contains any other measure, Almost no repercussions for Alicante industries Those who suffer the consequences of the stratospheric price this fuel has reached with the war in Ukraine. Industries like these Textilewhere there is a large number of companies applying – especially the finishing segment – production cuts to avoid losses; or ceramic and tile producer with the most bases in the province Escandellachoosed will close three of its four bakeries this September Given the impossibility of working with current costs.
” VAT is a neutral tax for companies, because the VAT they pay passes later. Lowering rates does not mean, if anything, a help from the treasury”, points out the head of the Society’s Textile Entrepreneurs Association (Ateval). Pepe Serna. became the industry first to initiate the alert and at the end of the first quarter, there were almost a dozen companies processing ERTE for some of their templates. Since then, the situation has worsened despite repeated calls for help from companies.
“The lonely ones AIDS -donating 2400 euros per worker to companies that consume the most gas- they barely cover the extra cost that companies have in a monthReminding that the price of gasoline has multiplied more than tenfold and futures point to even higher rates, Serna says. and others where the water needs to be heated “These are companies that normally work for others, so in the end the interest in the whole industry reaches the whole industry,” insists Ateval’s president.
Companies try to do their best and most of what they do is, close the gas consuming lines and focus on those that cost less, but the result is a drop in production.
Another sector where water is seen up to the neck is ceramics. In Castellón they are tile manufacturers, but in Alicante the largest representative of this activity is the tile manufacturer. Escandella. After lasting until August when all machines were in full production, the company turn off three of your four ovens since September 1 last year. “With this gas bill impossible to produce“, categorically indicates the general manager, alfred vincent, He government call for help for companies. “In France, the government pays 30% of the difference between the price a year ago and the current price, there is nothing here,” the executive complains.
In his case, this represented 25% of fuel costs, but increased to over 50%. Currently, the company management 250 workers The firm does not exclude resorting to measures such as ERTE, which constitutes the workforce that it agrees to take vacations and days off, but if the situation does not improve. In the meantime, they decided to have a bakery that they would pull out of stock to serve their customers’ orders and for any needs that might arise. “The situation is very worrying”Vincent insists on demanding stronger action from the Government.
In the remaining sectors of the province, the problem continues to be price. electric. In the case of Metalwhere some of the most electro-intensive companies are located, many companies rearrange your production According to the head of Fempa, in order to carry it at more affordable prices during the hours when electricity is more expensive than others, Louis Rodriguez. “Necessary direct help“Confident that the pricing system reform announced by the EC will succeed in softening the bill,” says the business spokesperson.
Also in the field marble Currently there are many companies analyze “if they are interested in opening” reassures the president of the sectoral employers association that all production lines are after the holiday or if they choose to take some kind of precaution”, David Beltra. Both presidents of the Valencian Entrepreneurs Association, on their behalf, Shoe (Avencal), Marian CanoAs the person responsible for the Components Association (AEC), Manual NovelWhile in their case electricity may not represent the highest cost, be sure that they are forced to raise the prices of their products because they can’t take the full increase against their margins.
Plastic group production
Another strategy used by some companies, especially in the plastics industry, is to intensify their entire production in just four days, so that they can stop the machines on the fifth day and save money as a result. According to Héctor Torrente, director of the IBIAE employers’ association, a “production optimization” strategy that currently avoids the use of ERTEs points to the expansion of photovoltaic panels as another option. cut costs.