Upcoming Trade Shows Bilbao, Spain for Metal Working Industries

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Bilbao embodied the very definition of industrial success in Spain all thanks to an expansive metalworking industry. The city's growth was tightly bound to its booming iron and steel sectors, which, alongside shipbuilding, became key drivers of economic development during that period. With its strategic location and the Port of Bilbao — one of the largest in Europe — the city existed as a crucial link in the transportation of crude oil, refined products, and essential raw materials like iron ore and coal. Among the most prominent industrial giants was Altos Hornos de Vizcaya (AHV), which grew into Spain's largest company for much of the 20th century. Founded in 1902 with the merger of three iron and steel businesses, AHV employed up to 40,000 workers at its peak, playing a central role in the economic development of the Basque Country. The proximity of the company’s factories to the region's abundant iron ore resources allowed the company to thrive, becoming a cornerstone of the local and national economy. However, the 1973 global economic crisis marked a turning point and the metalworking industry in Bilbao took the brunt of the hit. A bold rehabilitation plan was devised to restructure the city’s economy, shifting its focus away from heavy manufacturing toward the services sector. The decline of the traditional iron and steel industries was further exacerbated in the 1990s with the restructuring of AHV. The company merged with Arcelor in 2001, forming part of the global giant now known as ArcelorMittal. As the metalworking industry in Bilbao consolidated and reduced its footprint, the city faced the challenge of reimagining its industrial future. These challenges aside, the spirit of innovation that defined Bilbao’s industrial heyday continues to shape the region.