It looks like a “perfect match”, says BJC boss of ELKO EP merger

For ELKO EP, this is by far the largest purchase in the company’s history – and the company’s turnover is expected to hit CZK 1 billion for the first time this year.

We had the opportunity to talk to representatives of BJC, which has been a part of the world-famous Siemens for the last seventeen years, right in Holešov, where a large delegation went to visit the production facilities, laboratories and also to the Holešov Regatta festival, of which ELKO EP has been a long-term partner.

“It seems like a perfect match,” says Oscar Embid Balsells at the beginning of our chat together. “We have to thank Siemens because it has guided us through turbulent times and brought more stability and global perspective to our entire operation. But on the other hand, we have always been just one of many companies in its holding. For ELKO EP, we are a partner with whom we have a similar product portfolio and size. From the initial days of the negotiations, we have had the impression that we also fit together personally,” adds the man who has been running BJC for three years and has been with the company for 10 years.

And it will continue to do so – because ELKO EP has no ambition to change the composition of the staff of the company, which is based 20 kilometres from the Catalan capital Barcelona. Instead, it plans to link product lines and offer joint product innovations. And also to be much more visible on the Iberian Peninsula, where it has had an office for the last few years.

“We know the Spanish market really well during our existence. We are well known throughout Spain. From the western part to the Balearic Islands. That’s why we are gradually looking for business opportunities that we can do together or leave to ELKO EP. This is especially in the field of intelligent elements and iNELS or Inspinia Technology a step further than ourselves – and we are convinced that similar solutions are currently in great demand in Spain.

New product lines are coming soon

The Spaniards were very impressed with the production facilities and the laboratory in Holešov. “It is world-class, but we have been expecting this ever since ELKO EP was among the potential buyers. We knew it was a manufacturing giant, at least by European standards, where products for most of the world’s best-known brands in our segment are produced. Moreover, Czech technology companies have a good reputation in Spain. But seeing the whole premises with your own eyes is, of course, something else. I was really impressed by many details. The level of production in Holešov has global parameters,” says Marc Mestre Martínez, who is in charge of production at BJC.

ELKO EP and BJC would like to attack the position of the European leader in the field of relay and electrical equipment production in the near future. “It is a challenge for us to prove that even in 2025 European production can be fully competitive in a global market where Asian, American or African brands are present. But we have to continue to stick to quality, security and to have top and fast service. In any case, we have the facilities and the teams ready for this. Before the end of the year, we would also like to launch new product lines that combine the best of both companies. Of course, we are working on expanding BJC’s range of relays (in which ELKO EP is number one in Europe) and also on the implementation of the iNELS Home wireless system, which will suitably complement BJC’s range of switches in the distribution network that BJC has well established,“ adds Sergio Castelló, who manages sales and marketing at BJC,” concludes Oscar Embid Balsells.