EN
ESPAñOL
GALEGO
PORTUGUéS
ITALIANO
DEUTSCHE
FRANçAIS
Rodavigo currently has more than 4.5 million references and a portfolio of 8,500 customers spread across 115 different countries.
Our CEO, Nazario Correa, has given an interview to C de Comunicación, C Suministros Industriales, in which he explains the key aspects of our business and analyses the future of industrial supply.
Below, we provide the complete interview.
Interview with C Suministros Industriales
Rodavigo has established itself as one of Spain’s most internationally renowned industrial suppliers, as well as one of the country’s highest-grossing suppliers. Its growth has been supported by a model capable of integrating commercial strength and proprietary technology, allowing it to manage a massive catalogue and respond quickly to any industrial need.
Nazario Correa, CEO of the company, reveals in this exclusive interview with C de Comunicación how this technological approach and a ‘service without borders’ mentality have been decisive in maintaining profitability and tackling global expansion.
Correa also details how the company has established a presence in more than 115 countries, which markets offer the greatest potential, and what role digitisation, supplier relationships and the founder’s strategic vision have played in its evolution. The CEO also analyses the future of industrial supply and offers recommendations for those seeking to grow both within and outside Spain.
Question. Rodavigo is one of Spain’s leading industrial suppliers with a strong international presence. How is the company structured today, and what would you say has been the key to growing while maintaining profitability?
Nazario Correa. The structure is no different from that of any other company in the sector. We have a strong sales department, which is responsible for generating orders and attracting new customers.
The key to profitable growth lies in the value we bring to the sales force through technology. Our website brings together more than 4.5 million references and 1,500 manufacturers, allowing users to request quotes and place orders. It is a knowledge and service base that ensures the sales team can provide a fast, reliable and competitive response. Centralised catalogue management allows us to meet any industrial requirement.
Q. You have managed to establish a presence in multiple countries. What were the first steps you took to expand abroad, and what did you learn from that process?
N. C. Selling abroad is no different from selling on the domestic market. Each country has its own cultural characteristics, but essentially the customer-seller relationship is the same. We do take more precautions, but the process is identical.
Our international presence allows us to take advantage of economic cycles: when one market contracts, others may grow. This provides stability and helps maintain profitable turnover levels.
Q. Which international markets are you currently working in, and which ones offer the most opportunities for Spanish suppliers?
N. C. There are some 193 countries in the world, and we operate in more than 115, around 60% of the total. Our vocation is service, and we do not prioritise countries by size, although Asian markets are experiencing double-digit growth and are very attractive. Developing countries also offer opportunities due to lower supply or professionalisation.
Q. Are there any markets that you have decided not to enter or that are not profitable?
N.C. We do not rule out markets based on size or profitability. We only exclude those subject to embargoes or legal restrictions. We always act in accordance with the law.
Q. What role does digitalisation play in your daily operations? How has it changed your relationship with industrial customers?
N.C. Serving more than 8,500 customers—3,500 of them new—in more than 115 countries and with 4.5 million references requires a commitment to digitalisation. Since 2007, we have continuously invested in IT processes that govern the entire value chain. We were pioneers, and many customers were slow to adapt to these systems.
Q. How do you manage the volume of references and international logistics without losing efficiency?
N. C. Starting early with digitalisation gave us an advantage. We have our own IT systems, which allows us to be flexible and adapt without losing efficiency or quality.
Q. In your experience, what differentiates growing supplies from stagnant ones?
N. C. There is no magic formula. We are non-conformists and we never give up. It’s a lesson we learned from our father, the founder of Rodavigo.
Q. What commercial structure works best in such a broad model: your own network, online, partners…?
N. C. We work with a mix of all channels. The importance of each depends on the characteristics of the market and the needs of the customer.
Q. How do you see industrial supply evolving in Spain in the coming years? What challenges will the channel face?
N. C. Spain needs industrial policies that consolidate and strengthen the sector. Attracting large projects would be key; the rest will follow.
Q. Competition from digital platforms and generational change are transforming technical sales. How is Rodavigo adapting?
N. C. It is a relevant aspect due to the volumes they move, although their business models are completely different from ours.
Q. What role do suppliers play in your strategy?
N. C. They are fundamental. When they understand our philosophy, the relationship works. We are committed to long-term relationships and flexible models. The goal is to satisfy the customer’s needs.
Q. How important are communication and industrial marketing to your growth?
N. C. In our sector, it doesn’t work like in others. Here, the essential thing is to do it well at all times.
Q. Finally, what advice would you give to an industrial supplier who wants to grow or open up new markets?
N. C. The same advice our father gave us: constant effort, seriousness and responsibility. Treat the customer as they want to be treated. That is our golden rule.
