ANNUAL REPORT 2017

08.1. Message from the Chairman 08.2. Message from the General Management 08.3. Figures 2017 Antxon López Usoz IK4 Chairman After a challenge-filled 2017, the IK4 Technological Alliance continues to be firmly committed to the transfer of scientific and technological know-how to the business community, thus helping to raise its competitiveness. The gradual improvement of economic indicators is facilitating the acceleration of R+D plans for both companies and the public administration, a scenario that allows us to face the future with optimism. The IK4 priority objective continues to be company support, with a solid, competitive and effective technological offer. 57.73% of our consolidated income – which last year exceeded 101 million euro – comes from the private sector. In 2017, IK4 had to face, on the one hand, the abandonment of the Alliance by two of our technological centres, and, on the other, news of the creation of a new Basque Technological Consortium. Both circumstances have led to opening a process of internal reflection with which to strengthen our collaborative and innovative DNA in the face of this new reality, elaborating upon a model that would allow for maximum closeness to companies, greater centre specialisation, and an accumulation of synergy in order to frame a differentiated technological offer. Another of the challenges that IK4 will have to face in the coming years is the difficulty of recruiting, retaining and training talent. The growing use of digital technologies in manufacturing environments has led to the demand for new professional profiles trained in the analysis of data from machines and manufacturing processes to contribute new value proposals that will increase productivity, raise quality and optimise energy consumption. In this context of change and transformation that we are experiencing, IK4 will continue to promote activities that facilitate qualification for scientific and technological profiles, who will serve as vehicles for transferring the knowledge generated in the centres to the market. 08.1. IK4 RESEARCH ALLIANCE The IK4 priority objective continues to be company support. INDEX 01 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR 02 REPORT BY THE GENERAL MANAGEMENT 03 MARKET MANAGEMENT 04 TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT 05 THE VOICE OF OUR CUSTOMERS AND COLLABORATORS 06 REVENUES AND BOOK BALANCE 07 COLLABORATING ORGANISATIONS & GOVERNING BOARD 08 IK4 RESEARCH ALLIANCE