Iberdrola hosts Europe’s leading industrial companies in Bilbao at an ERT meeting closed by the Lehendakari

Group photo of those attending the ERT event at the Iberdrola Group headquarters

Torre Iberdrola and the capital of Biscay have become a focal point for European economic and business dialogue, in a context shaped by challenges around competitiveness, security and strategic autonomy

Iberdrola has hosted a two-day meeting of the European Round Table for Industry (ERT) in Bilbao, bringing together senior executives from 60 of Europe’s leading industrial companies. The meeting was closed by the Lehendakari, Imanol Pradales.

The European Round Table for Industry (ERT) is a high-level, cross-sector business forum based in Brussels, composed of chief executives and chairpersons from 60 of Europe’s most prominent companies.

The meeting held in Bilbao was an ‘Associates’ session, bringing together key advisers and senior executives to prepare for the next plenary meeting of ERT members, scheduled to take place in Sweden in May. Discussions focused on key topics including energy policy, industrial and competition policy, innovation, security and defence, the single market, artificial intelligence and trade. These debates are particularly timely given the urgent need to advance the European Union’s competitiveness agenda, as well as the impact of the ongoing energy crisis linked to the conflict in the Middle East.

Anthony Gooch Gálvez, Secretary General of the ERT, stated: “In recent years, Europe has faced multiple sources of uncertainty and a worrying trend towards deindustrialisation. Hosting this ERT Associates meeting in the Basque Country, one of the most outstanding examples of the reinvention of Europe’s traditional industrial regions, is a significant achievement. We would like to thank Iberdrola for hosting this meeting, which has allowed us to take the pulse of Europe’s industrial landscape while showcasing a city as iconic as Bilbao.”

The sessions, held on 16 and 17 April, have positioned Torre Iberdrola, the Group’s headquarters, and the city itself as a key hub for European economic and business dialogue. This comes at a time marked by major challenges related to competitiveness, security and the continent’s strategic autonomy—areas in which electrification plays a central role.

Throughout the meeting, executives from leading companies across sectors—including energy, automotive, technology, telecommunications, aerospace and pharmaceuticals—addressed the most pressing priorities facing Europe’s industrial ecosystem.

Background

The European Round Table for Industry was established in 1983 to foster cooperation between businesses, policymakers and stakeholders in support of the development of the European Union’s single market and single currency. Today, its 60 member companies are committed to sustainable growth, job creation and strengthening Europe’s global role. Collectively, these companies generate annual revenues of nearly €3 trillion, employ more than 6 million people worldwide and invest approximately €120 billion each year in R&D.

Companies attending the ERT Associates meeting hosted by Iberdrola

A.P. Møller-Mærsk, Air Liquide, Airbus, ArcelorMittal, ASML, AstraZeneca, BASF SE, Borealis AG, Capgemini, Deutsche Telekom, dsm-firmenich, E.ON, ENGIE, Eni, Ericsson, FTI Consulting, GSK, Heidelberg Materials, HEINEKEN, Iberdrola, Inditex, Investor AB, L'Oréal, Mercedes-Benz Group, Michelin, MOL, Nestlé, Nokia, Norsk Hydro, NXP Semiconductors N.V., Orange, Royal Philips, Saint-Gobain, SAP, Schneider Electric, Shell plc, Siemens AG, Smurfit Westrock, Sonae, Syensqo, Techint Group of Companies, Telefónica, thyssenkrupp, TITAN S.A., TotalEnergies, Umicore, Unilever, UPM, Veolia, Vodafone Group, Volvo Group.