“As well as selling, going out, observing, discovering and analysing outside our own region, this has opened up many fields of which we were unaware”
How was MYL born? How did Imanol Gil come to head MYL? What do you think you bring to the company?
MYL was founded in 1969 by my father, Manuel Gil. I’ve been living among spin-dles since I was little, but officially I joined the firm in 1987 while I was at university. I gradually learned about the product and the process, and above all about the values on which the business was based. Over the years I took on more responsibilities until, on my father’s retirement, I took up the position I hold today. What I’ve always tried to keep up in this business is firstly its founding spirit of closeness to customers and care over the product, and secondly the need to be on the cutting edge in terms of traceability, innovation and implementing technology.
What lies behind MYL’s competitive leap forward in recent years?
In recent years we’ve basically seen two changes. The first was bringing young talent into the firm. Thanks to cooperation with universities and technology centres in our region we have brought in a lot of human capital, which today is indispensable. And the second was opening up and cementing the company’s position on foreign markets. As well as selling, going out, observing, discovering and analysing outside our own region, this has opened up many fields of which we were unaware. Both these changes are what have enabled us to make this competitive leap forward.
What is your current role in the firm?
Since Iñigo Mendoza joined us as general manager, my role has been focused on two strategic fields. On the one hand, opening up new markets and consolidating and looking after existing customers. We have to be close to them, as this helps to give added value to our products and services. And on the other, I am in the firm to add value and contribute know-how on a constant basis, in terms of both product and processes, in all departments.
How do you see the future of the company?
I have always seen MYL as a big laboratory, in which every piece, every repair, every product we manufacture is treated as something special and delicate, that has to be nurtured as much as possible. The future I see is an even more technological, even better MYL, present on even more markets.