Tunnel Laboratory

One of the technological assets of the Spanish group is its test laboratory. The test tunnel is the longest in the world: 100 meters long, with the capacity to test 100 real loads and 2,000 KW ventilators. Zitrón can carry out tests to scale in the tunnel, giving the company the capacity to test any type of ventilator in different situations, “even in the most extreme situations, such as fire or excessive temperatures,” says Quirós. To deal with such extreme situation, Zitrón offers a range of ventilator models that are resistant to fire, and various versions that can withstand high temperatures.

This testing system enables Zitrón to design and manufacture customized ventilation system for clients based on each individual tunnel. “We never adapt one air system to another. We manufacture a new system based on the needs of each tunnel,” comments Quirós. “That’s why we say that each product that we manufacture is an exercise in R&D.” Zitrón has 150 different types of ventilators, to which it allocates €5.0 million per year in research and development.

Despite the differences among Zitrón’s ventilators, they all share one common feature: energy saving. “It’s our constant objective. We offer ventilators with better energy efficiency,” says Quirós. Today’s Zitrón systems are 15% more energy efficient than the ones the company developed in the 1990s.

Delayed Orders

Due to current economic challenges around the world, ventilation orders have been scaled back. Despite this, Zitrón has not yet had to cancel any underground ventilation projects and has sustained annual growth.

In the current climate, the company is bidding on two major global projects that could boost its development figures still higher: the tunnel that will connect Europe with Asia under the Bosphorus through to Turkey, and the extension of the New York subway.

In the past, the company has also won large-scale projects in countries such as Bhutan, which home to the largest number of hydraulic power stations per inhabitant in the world. Zitrón provided the underground ventilation for one such plant.

One problem facing Zitrón is the lack of sector representation, says Quirós. With only four companies in the world that specialize exclusively in underground ventilation, he continues, “We don’t belong to a group or association that can defend our interests, and we do not therefore have any institutional support. It’s an unknown sector.”

Another problem facing the tunnel ventilation sector is government bureaucracy. “It’s disproportionate,” points out Quirós. “There are so many forms that have to be submitted that it has led to companies that solely specialize in dealing with [those forms].”

Zitrón employs 300 people globally and 100 people in Spain, of which 65 are technicians. It has 300 employees globally. The majority of them, about 98%, have permanent contracts.

Tunnel Laboratory

One of the technological assets of the Spanish group is its test laboratory. The test tunnel is the longest in the world: 100 meters long, with the capacity to test 100 real loads and 2,000 KW ventilators. Zitrón can carry out tests to scale in the tunnel, giving the company the capacity to test any type of ventilator in different situations, “even in the most extreme situations, such as fire or excessive temperatures,” says Quirós. To deal with such extreme situation, Zitrón offers a range of ventilator models that are resistant to fire, and various versions that can withstand high temperatures.

This testing system enables Zitrón to design and manufacture customized ventilation system for clients based on each individual tunnel. “We never adapt one air system to another. We manufacture a new system based on the needs of each tunnel,” comments Quirós. “That’s why we say that each product that we manufacture is an exercise in R&D.” Zitrón has 150 different types of ventilators, to which it allocates €5.0 million per year in research and development.

Despite the differences among Zitrón’s ventilators, they all share one common feature: energy saving. “It’s our constant objective. We offer ventilators with better energy efficiency,” says Quirós. Today’s Zitrón systems are 15% more energy efficient than the ones the company developed in the 1990s.

Delayed Orders

Due to current economic challenges around the world, ventilation orders have been scaled back. Despite this, Zitrón has not yet had to cancel any underground ventilation projects and has sustained annual growth.

In the current climate, the company is bidding on two major global projects that could boost its development figures still higher: the tunnel that will connect Europe with Asia under the Bosphorus through to Turkey, and the extension of the New York subway.

In the past, the company has also won large-scale projects in countries such as Bhutan, which home to the largest number of hydraulic power stations per inhabitant in the world. Zitrón provided the underground ventilation for one such plant.

One problem facing Zitrón is the lack of sector representation, says Quirós. With only four companies in the world that specialize exclusively in underground ventilation, he continues, “We don’t belong to a group or association that can defend our interests, and we do not therefore have any institutional support. It’s an unknown sector.”

Another problem facing the tunnel ventilation sector is government bureaucracy. “It’s disproportionate,” points out Quirós. “There are so many forms that have to be submitted that it has led to companies that solely specialize in dealing with [those forms].”

Zitrón employs 300 people globally and 100 people in Spain, of which 65 are technicians. It has 300 employees globally. The majority of them, about 98%, have permanent contracts.