Industrial LAB 5.0 marks a new chapter in the Federation of Metal Entrepreneurs of the Province of Alicante (Fempa). This purpose-built demonstration space brings the latest smart manufacturing innovations directly into production environments. It represents a collaborative achievement by Fempa, the Institute of Metalworking, Furniture, Wood, Packaging and Related Technology (Aidimme), and the Valencian Institute for Business Competitiveness (Ivace). Inaugurated this Friday by the regional president, the facility highlights the region’s commitment to advancing industrial modernisation and the broader competitive landscape.
The core aim of Industrial LAB 5.0 is to serve as a pilot that showcases how virtual reality, augmented reality, and other digital enabling technologies can be integrated into smart and additive manufacturing. The project targets industrial small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro SMEs in Alicante, bringing digitalization benefits, technical services, and opportunities to participate in research and development closer to local companies seeking higher productivity and stronger competitiveness through Industry 5.0. This initiative aligns with a broader push to digitalize the regional manufacturing base and strengthen links between innovation, training, and practical implementation.
Located within Fempa’s premises, the new space functions as an interactive environment where multiple actions unfold. Its design demonstrates the interoperability between this center and a twin facility in Valencia, connected through a digital network to advance the path toward smart production. Demonstrations are delivered by highly qualified robotics teams, with sessions, showrooms, and initiatives continually energised. Educational activities are planned in parallel to boost participants’ digital skills and maximise the impact of the latest-generation technologies in daily operations.
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Jorge Ibáñez, president of Fempa, spoke at the opening to stress the center’s role in accelerating company digitalisation. He highlighted the strategic value of bringing state-of-the-art technologies to local businesses and noted the continued support from the institute to help implement these tools in interested firms. The event also drew attention to the leadership of Luis Rodríguez, the former president of the Port, who attended and shared reflections on the project’s trajectory. Fernando Saludes and Vicente Rocatí, respectively president and director of Aidimme, outlined the center’s features and the Ivace offer to assist companies in adopting these technologies.
The regional president underscored the importance of supporting such initiatives, underscoring that industrial strength is the backbone of future economic activity. He described the projects as a crucial starting line for innovation and stressed how essential it is for policy to enable both creative activity and practical, on-the-ground leadership in business. The message pointed to the need for a sensible balance between tax incentives and direct assistance to sustain economic vitality where it matters most.
The speaker also touched on administrative simplification as a key enabling measure. By reducing red tape, regional authorities aim to free up resources and momentum for innovation-driven growth. The event was attended by a mix of government officials and industry leaders, including ministers, presidents of business confederations, and sector-specific associations. Their presence underscored a shared commitment to digital transformation and workforce upskilling as primary levers for competitiveness across Alicante and the broader Valencian Community.
The gathering included José Antonio Rovira, Minister of Education, Universities and Labour; Salvador Navarro, president of the Valencian Community Business Confederation (CEV); Esther Guilabert, CEV’s general secretary; Joaquín Pérez, president of CEV Alicante; Marián Cano, president of the Valencian Association of Footwear Entrepreneurs; César Quintanilla, president of the Alicante Province (Uepal) Labor Union; and Guillermo Moreno, a former Fempa president. Their participation reflected a broad alliance among public, academic, and industry leaders to push digitalisation and innovation across the region’s manufacturing base.
In closing, the discussions highlighted how smart manufacturing, digital services, and collaborative innovation translate into practical opportunities for regional firms. Industrial LAB 5.0 stands as a tangible proof point that modern manufacturing can be made more productive, resilient, and capable of competing in global markets through the disciplined application of new technologies and strong public–private collaboration.