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Aerospace

An important sector in the region following the installation of the company Mecanizaciones Aeronáuticas, S.A. (MASA) in 1982. This company is specialized in the manufacture of finished and equipped metal components for the aerospace industry and has clients such as EADS and its subsidiary Airbus, Embraer, Latecoere, Gamesa Aeronáutica, Air Liquide and Sino Sweringer. Several companies specialized in meeting the requirements of the sector have also established themselves in the same area.

Agri-food

The agri-food sector is the most important in La Rioja’s industry. It accounted for 30% of industrial GDP in 2005 and constituted 28.7% of industrial companies in 2007.

Differentiation through innovation and high-quality products has been the basis of the sector’s success. To this end, La Rioja has several of its own technology and research centers dedicated to the agri-food sector, while also maintaining a close relationship with National Center for Food Technology and Safety (CNTA).

Within the agri-food sector, the following sub-sectors are noteworthy:

- Meat. Dedicated primarily to sausage making (chorizo, salchichón, etc.).

- Preserves. Associated with the region’s significant agricultural production of fruits, garden produce (vegetables, legumes, etc.), and mushrooms.

- Wine. The region’s primary industrial activity. Rioja wine is synonymous with quality and tradition and has gained significant international prestige, becoming the best ambassador for La Rioja abroad.

Within the sector, the tobacco industry has also been important due to the historic presence of Tabacalera, now Altadis, a Hispano-French cigarette manufacturer, against which the British firm Imperial Tobacco has launched a takeover bid.

Automotive

A highly important sector throughout the Ebro Valley since top auto manufacturers (Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Opel (General Motors), Seat and Volkswagen) established themselves in the area. This has generated a large ancillary industry in our region to serve the needs of these and other international plants.

In La Rioja, primarily after the opening of the Opel (General Motors) factory en Figueruelas (Zaragoza) in 1982, there have emerged numerous companies which manufacture components for the auto industry, some from La Rioja and others subsidiaries of foreign multinationals.

Of the La Rioja companies, especially noteworthy is Grupo Rioglass, which was established in 1992 and manufactures glass primarily for the automobile industry. It currently has factories in different areas of Spain, Belgium, Brazil and France.

Footwear

A traditional and important sector in La Rioja, accounting for 11.1% of industrial companies in 2007.

The sector includes renowned international companies such as Calzados Fal (Chiruca), Fluchos, Calzados Hergar (Callaghan, Gorila) and Calzados Nuevo Milenio (Victoria), and a number of companies that manufacture components.