ERREKA joins IKERLAN as a user member to promote technological and institutional collaboration

• This agreement consolidates the alliance between the two entities of the MONDRAGON Group , which has been in place for many years, committing to strengthening their technological and institutional collaboration.

• The technological collaboration between ERREKA and IKERLAN focuses on embedded electronic systems, cybersecurity and mechanical solutions.

ERREKA has formalised its incorporation as a user member of the IKERLAN technology centre, in a strategic move that strengthens institutional collaboration between the two cooperatives belonging to the MONDRAGON. The primary objective of this alliance is to facilitate the collaborative development of technological solutions, with a particular emphasis on embedded electronic systems, cybersecurity and mechanical systems.

Joana Ibarretxe, president of ERREKA, and Adolfo Plaza, president of IKERLAN, formalised the signing of the partnership agreement at a ceremony held at the technology centre’s facilities in Arrasate-Mondragón.

With this agreement, ERREKA becomes part of the IKERLAN cooperative structure, gaining access to the benefits derived from this active and strategic participation.

A strategic alliance for a shared future

With this agreement, ERREKA and IKERLAN consolidate their long-standing collaboration in the development of solutions for critical joints, particularly in sectors such as wind power, oil & gas and aeronautics. This collaboration has enabled progress in research and improvement of materials through heat treatments and the electronic development of the Erreka Digital Bolt solution.  Currently, technological cooperation is advancing in key areas such as embedded systems and cybersecurity, in order to respond to the technological roadmap of its offering in the field of automatic access control and entry systems (connected access).

This institutional agreement marks the beginning of a new phase, representing a firm commitment to collaborative innovation. It reinforces the dynamics initiated to successfully address the strategic technological challenges of ERREKA’s various business units and the development of applied technology, while also consolidating a shared vision of the future.

IKERLAN President Adolfo Plaza emphasised how proud the organisation is to continue strengthening its collaboration with ERREKA, reaffirming its commitment to becoming a partner.

“We have maintained a relationship of trust as strategic partners for many years, and we are convinced that this new joint step will enhance the capabilities of both organisations, strengthen our ties, and enable us to share a long-term vision that will contribute significantly to our collective competitiveness,” he said.

Joana Ibarretxe from ERREKA emphasises that “We have been working together for years, and we are excited to consolidate our relationship by joining as a user partner, strengthening our alliance from strategic, technological, and institutional perspectives. We believe this to be another successful collaboration between two Mondragón Group entities, allowing us to grow together.”

By joining IKERLAN as a user member company, ERREKA is now part of the technology centre of the MONDRAGON, alongside twenty or so other leading companies in their respective sectors, including Abantail, ABC Compressors, Ampo, Beeplanet Factory, Conatec, Copreci, Fagor Automation, Fagor Arrasate, Fagor Ederlan, Fagor Electrónica, Fagor Industrial, Laulagun, LKS NEXT, Mondragon Sistemas de Información, Orkli, Orona, Osatu, Ulma Packaging and ZIV Automation.

About IKERLAN

IKERLAN is a leading centre in technology transfer and in providing competitive value to industry. It offers integral solutions combining different technological domains in three main areas: digital technologies and artificial intelligence, embedded electronic systems and cybersecurity, and mechatronics and energy technologies. It currently has a team of 420 people and offices in Arrasate-Mondragón, Donostialdea and Bilbao. As a cooperative member of the MONDRAGON and the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), IKERLAN represents a sustainable, competitive business model in permanent transformation

About ERREKA

Today, Erreka is a dynamic, multi-location asset in our region, driving the transformation and growth of existing businesses while remaining faithful to cooperative principles.

As part of the MONDRAGON, ERREKA currently employs more than 500 people and achieved a turnover of over 75 million euros in the last financial year. It has six production facilities on three continents and 71,4 % of its total sales are currently international.

Through its four business lines — Plastics, Smart Fastening, Medical and Connected Access — ERREKA has diversified its range of products and services, basing its diversification strategy on open innovation. ERREKA is currently involved in inorganic growth projects with the aim of investing in companies and initiatives for the future.