As part of our 40th anniversary, we have the privilege of sitting down with the person who started it all: our founder and current president, Manuel Carbajo. His vision not only gave birth to RIMSA but also forged the values that, four decades later, continue to drive the company forward. Through his words, we take a journey from the origins to his perspective on the future, which is now led by a new generation.
Rimsa is turning 40. When you look back to 1985, what do you feel? Did you ever imagine that this project would come so far?
Manuel Carbajo: I feel immense satisfaction. Without a doubt, I never thought I would get this far. Seeing how that initial idea has evolved into what RIMSA is today makes me realize how much all the effort and time invested has been worth it. It has been, above all, an exciting journey.
Success is often described as the tip of the iceberg. What has been beneath the surface during these 40 years at Rimsa?
M.C.: Beneath the surface, there has been a lot of hard work, not just from me, but from all the people who have been part of this project. There has been constant innovation, sacrifices, and, of course, initiatives that did not succeed. But that is fundamental. You have to be open to failure, take time to regain energy, and try again, reinventing ideas with greater strength. Behind success are the sleepless nights and endless workdays, born from the desire to achieve goals that often take much longer than expected to materialize.
Is there, then, a universal recipe for business success?
M.C.: I don’t believe in a universal recipe, but there are key ingredients. I can say, and I will probably be right, that there is no success without defeat; that time is necessary, there are no immediate achievements; and that a great deal of dedication and passion for what you do, for your dream, is required. Furthermore, you must have faith in the project, be innovative, and, fundamentally, have a team of committed people. People are the engine of everything, the image of the company. And, above all, an ingredient I consider essential: honesty with all partners. It is the key to trust and the greatest guarantee of continuity.
In these four decades, what decision marked a before and after for Rimsa?
M.C.: We always prioritized strengthening the company’s financing so it could overcome times of crisis, and that was key. However, the strategic decision that truly made the difference was in 2007, with the acquisition of our English competitor in the friction sector. That move gave a tremendous boost to our internationalization process and was the beginning of a long journey to become the experts we are today.
The last five years have been particularly transformative. The company has entered new sectors and made very important strategic moves. How do you see this evolution?
M.C.: It has been a natural evolution, based on our experience. Our strength has always been the science and transformation of materials. It was logical to apply that knowledge beyond friction. The consolidation of the Reinforcement division and the entry into the Energy sector are proof of this. But the most fascinating step has undoubtedly been the creation of Innovamat in 2022. To face great challenges, like the energy transition, you need the right partners. The joint venture with Quartz is the result of many years of knowing each other. They are also a family business, with very similar values to ours, and like us, they are also transitioning to their second generation. That trust and shared vision, built over time, are what have given us the strength to combine our capabilities and face innovative and productive challenges together that we could not have tackled alone.
Speaking of the future, another key milestone has been the generational transition. A little over two years ago, you officially passed the baton to your children, Daniel and Carol. What are your hopes for this new stage?
M.C.: I remain active in the company as president, but with the peace of mind of knowing that the future is in the best hands. We have a very strong team, and the next generation is enormously excited about the project. My wish is for them to continue for many more years, being able to maintain the essence of a family business, but a professionalized one, with well-defined objectives and, above all, with humility. I have full confidence that Daniel, as CEO, and Carol, in Corporate Development, will not only continue the legacy but will take it to a new dimension—more digital, more global, and even more innovative.
