Irizar S.K.I. at the top of the bus

1991/11/01 Sarriegi Eskisabel, Andoni Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Garraioak
• Enpresa

IRIZAR S.K.I. The company has 3 manufacturing plants of its products: 2 in Ormaiztegi (Soroa Baja and Lezeta de Elizondo) and 1 in Olaberria in the neighborhood of Iurre. Around 300 workers are currently working in these workshops. The centenary of the bodywork factory, which was the first starting point, has already been completed and that of Leza is barely a dozen years old.

Its activity is mainly focused on the manufacture of Long Trips or “Intercity” buses, reaching even 2 buses daily, although they usually stood at 1.6, conforming at this time with the realization of approximately 1,2-1.3. So far they have had the habit of giving the buses their mountain names: Korosti, Urepel, Urbia, etc., but lately the market widths, fashions, etc., put external mountain names (Everest), commemorative of the centenary (Century) and marketing (Dragon, Pony, etc. ). ). These and many other things D told me. Pablo Mendizabal, Senior Engineer Director of Production of the Company.

Elhuyar:

What IRIZAR S.K.I basically does. companies?

Paul:

Look, we make of costume: suit. Bring, catch and dress the chassis of the bus. Installation of body and equipment and completion of the bus for your service.

Elh. :

What kind of buses do you do that at IRIZAR?

Q.:

In principle any brand, house, model and size. However, in practice we have some brands and models that mainly allow us to work with them, such as: Mercedes, Scania, Volvo, Man, Daf and Pegaso, traveling from their different models to the bus. Always and at least until now we have worked with Intercity Buses, that is, with Long Travel Luxury Buses. The world of the Cities is another, cheaper and with less equipment, and so far, except in principle, we have barely acted, but if necessary in the future, we can also do something there.

Elh. :

And what kind of buses do you get?

Q.:

Well of all kinds. For example, Everest has an appearance that has been classic so far and has between 50 and 55 seats, but gradually leaves. PONY, meanwhile, is smaller, has 30 seats and is mid-style. The Dragon series, for its part, is a modern two-foot bus with toilets with about 80 seats. The most recent and with the name of CENTURY to commemorate the centenary, are very modern and equipped lines.

Elh. :

And outside the bus, do you do anything else?

Q.:

Yes, in the Olaberria factory we have made LANBORGHINI. With displacement of 5,167 cc and above 450 Z.P. of any way. Now we are almost finishing this series.

Elh. :

What is the complete process of a bus?

Q.:

The first thing that comes is the design. Now we have begun to order the drawing of the first lines to specialized designers. After having collected several drawings of different shapes and lines, we chose one for CENTURY, for example, and all these marks will have the same shape. Then we made the prototype. Then perform the calculations and size using the CAD/CAM system. From there the plans for its manufacture go directly and the task goes to the workshop.

Elh. :

So, you do design! Do you copy anything or are you not enjoying the license?

Q.:

Everything is designed there. There is no license or copy here. Although one model is similar to another, measures, etc. is always different and although little is noticed outside, for example inside, it can be very different in shapes and sizes. In addition, each chassis brand has its own conditions and we have to adapt the suit to each one. Therefore, lines seen, etc. They can be liked, imported or brought in mind, but then you have to prepare it for a model. Therefore, its design is mandatory.

Elh. :

What is the manufacturing process of the body and equipment of buses?

Q.:

Buses have always been made in Ormaiztegi. Once we take the chassis, in the Lower Field (Elizondo) we manufacture structural components and subassemblies: ribs or sides, ceilings, doors, facades, rear, etc. We start mounting with a frame. Right there, we put the whole structure together, weld it, painted it and put it on the sheet when we bring it to Lezeta. Here we start with the inner and outer coating, doing all the other operations. Sheet steel, plastic, wood, aluminum, etc. we use for coatings of different parts. They carry the front and back of polyester, the roof and the side caps of aluminum, the central panels prelobed steel plates, the floor of wooden siding, etc.

Elh. :

How important is welding?

Q.:

Awesome. It is the only way to assemble the structure and add components. For this we use semi-automatic welding. With other systems there would be nothing to do. The minimum welding time to weld the structure will be 25 hours per bus and probably the same for adding components.

In the plant of Soro Bajo, therefore, the exterior and interior sheets of the bus are placed and in that of Lezeta are sewn the planks of the crmlech of the floor, are placed all the sides, upper and lower panels and repaint completely the vehicle, drying it in hot oven.

Elh. :

Decoration, seats, etc., how does the process continue?

Q.:

Once the bus is painted in this way, the interior coating of the vehicle (floor, sides, stairs, etc.) is carried out. and outside (glasses, mirrors, etc. ). ). Below is the assembly of the different equipment: air conditioning equipment (which all carry already), audiovisual, services and electricity. Electrical cabinets, wiring, etc. once installed, the bus is suitable to circulate. Then proceed to the cleaning of the general shower, not of the cleaning, but of the introduction of water by the slots and the quality measurement. If you have to make some correction and end: signage and seats. Check the equipment, pass the general quality control, make adaptations to the street.

Elh. :

In terms of equipment, what equipment are the ones that have now become common in so-called luxury buses?

Q.:

Public address, audiovisual (video, etc.) ), the phone is also entering, air conditioning for freshness in summer and heat in winter, quality armchairs (which lie down and become beds, etc. ). ), space use luxury (30 seats on a bus that can have 50 seats and other services: dining room, toilet, etc. ), etc.

Elh. :

How has this problem of toilets in buses been solved?

Q.:

There are two types: chemicals and deposits. In the former, the chemical decomposition of the excrements and the usurbil is carried out. In other cases, once stored hygienically, the tank is emptied, although it is also necessary to empty the chemical.

Elh. :

How is this company located in Spain and Europe in terms of design and manufacturing?

Q.:

In the state, and it is not a pride, I think the most beautiful bus model we have: Century . Currently it has no competition. Of course, it is a little more expensive than the rest, but those who know us prefer to pay like this and buy our buses. We started a year ago and it is the latest. To the models that follow there is a big leap. This bus breaks the usual schemes.

In Europe things are otherwise. We also export, mainly to France, Belgium and Greece. There is strong competition with the Germans. They are two worlds. They have better international image with their products so far, but they are much more expensive. Well you always have to pay. Mercedes, Setra, etc. are big names that are also the bus and do it themselves. They have good image, good brands. If we are expensive but better in the Spanish state, they themselves in Europe. However, in France, for example, we are more accepted for being more expensive than others. We are studying how to enter Italy and England. In Italy, the railway is a great competition, it is long and narrow and are works.

Elh. :

And from a commercial point of view, how are things going?

Q.:

The bus market is currently very bad, like everyone on the road, like the car. The figures drop by almost half for two years. At one point, we got to do 2 buses a day and normally we did between 1.5 and 1.6. We are now around 1.2-1.3. However, the market will resurface. In the state there are currently very old bus fleets. In addition, the Persian Gulf war reduced exports to Israel and Greece, but now they will reignite and the state will have to begin to rise. However, the number of competitors has also decreased considerably. Now, these figures have begun to rise a bit and see if the trend persists... In addition, in the new European market conditions from 1992, we will have to see how we adapt.

Elh. :

What do you expect in this area?

Q.:

We think it will be very hard years, but we are preparing for it, as I have already told you, trying to enter countries like Italy, England...

So be Paul! Thank you for the kindness and the facilities offered when conducting the interview and seeing the workshop, and meeting your expectations, that this prestigious Goierri Company has a promising future in Europe and the world!