Solidarity only truly shows its strength when it becomes tangible, when you can see and feel it, when people support one another, and when the needs of one cooperative are met with a genuine response from another. That is when the strength of the MONDRAGON model truly comes into its own. That is precisely what has happened with the Eika cooperative in Etxebarria. After the recent difficulties they have faced, they have had to make tough decisions: downsize, find solutions for their workforce, and relocate them to nearby and more distant cooperatives. Many of them have found a “new home” in cooperatives across the Lea-Artibai region.
At present, 20 people from Eika are working at Kide, 14 at Cikautxo, 13 at Orbea, 8 at Dikar, 5 at Maier, 1 at Ondoan, and another at Copreci. In total, according to May’s figures, 62 people have already been relocated. Could there be a greater example of solidarity, or a stronger model of inter-cooperative collaboration? To discuss this, we brought together Agustín Bengoetxea (chair of Kide) and Iñigo Arrieta (chair of Eika) at Kide’s plant in Berriatua.
In June 2025, Eika identified that something wasn’t right. They had already introduced a flexible working schedule in 2023, but this time the warning signs were more serious. The situation appeared to be structural rather than temporary, and they found themselves needing to take decisions. “We explained the situation to our workforce. We needed to adopt measures and proposed relocations. Our sales levels and our production capacity were out of balance. We had to reduce output and, at the same time, offer a solution for our workforce”, explains Iñigo Arrieta, chair of Eika. They began to explore options and received an extraordinary response from nearby cooperatives, especially across the Lea-Artibai region.
They explored every possible avenue: the MONDRAGON network, the region’s cooperative forum, and meetings between human resources managers from various cooperatives. They started holding discussions with representatives from Kide, Cikautxo, Maier, Fagor Arrasate, and Orbea, and even now they remember those responses with great emotion. “We started with a very direct question: do you have staffing needs? Cikautxo, Kide and Orbea all answered yes. We then shared the situation with our own workforce, and we also received a very positive response. This is how a first list of volunteers was drawn up and the initial redeployments were carried out. For Eika, it was an unprecedented experience. We’ve been through many difficult periods, but we’d never had to redeploy staff before. When it happens to you, there is no other option”, Arrieta remarks.
The first step focused on production staff: “We asked the receiving cooperatives to define the profiles they needed and then shared those needs internally, inviting volunteers to come forward”.
“As people signed up, the receiving cooperatives began conducting interviews, and then the redeployments followed”, Arrieta explains. From August 2025, people from Eika began taking up their new roles.
According to Arrieta, the response from Eika’s own workforce has also been excellent. “They have shown tremendous commitment. It’s hard to leave your own cooperative knowing you will be away for at least a year. And, unfortunately, not everyone will return”. They are currently fully immersed in a second phase. “Once the voluntary route had been exhausted, from December we began selecting other people who, by necessity, had to leave. This phase has been more difficult”.
The communication process is currently the priority. “Without a doubt, the hardest part is now beginning”. They have maintained ongoing communication with LagunAro EPSV, where they have also found a strong ally. “Based on experience, they reassure us that people do get redeployed, that there is work, and that solutions exist. What we want to emphasise is the fact that at least this avenue offers employment. Instead of unemployment, cooperatives and MONDRAGON offer work. That is the part that should be highlighted. We have strong tools for solidarity and inter-cooperation, and they are meeting all our needs”.
Kide among the receiving cooperatives
Berriatua is very close to Etxebarria. Eika and Kide are just fifteen kilometres apart. Geographically close and even closer in spirit. “Fortunately, Kide has had staffing needs, and we have felt very close to them. We know that now we are on the other side, on the flip side of the coin of solidarity”, says Agustín Bengoetxea.
Kide has also gone through periods of crisis over its 50-year history. “At other times, our colleagues also had to be redeployed, although in smaller numbers, because back then we were smaller as well. We have experienced similar situations”. On that occasion, Kide also found solutions within the Lea-Artibai region. “We have built a very special ecosystem in this region, and we have different forums where we collaborate very effectively”.
Agustín Bengoetxea is clear on this: “We were going to help as far as we possibly could, and redeploy people within our cooperative. Fortunately, we are going through a good period, we have a healthy workload, and that certainly makes decision-making easier. This demonstration of solidarity is a hallmark of the MONDRAGON cooperative experience and an outstanding exercise in inter-cooperation. It is something that sets us apart and something we can be proud of. This tool offers opportunities to all cooperatives and provides a real lifeline. It is a great source of support. In short, we have done what we were supposed to do”. Bengoetxea says they feel proud as a cooperative and has high praise for the new arrivals from Eika. “Generally speaking, those who have joined us have settled in very well and are very satisfied, which also fills us with pride. We have a wide variety of profiles, but most of those 20 people are from the local area. Markina, Mutriku, Ondarroa… The fact that they have chosen us within that proximity highlights the value of our project”, he adds.
Strategic plan at Eika
And what will happen in the future? That is the question the reader will be asking. Kide will continue to show solidarity to the best of its ability. For its part, Eika will launch a new strategic plan.
“We are market leaders and we want to remain so, especially in the American market. Our two main customers are there, and we are going to strengthen our position. Europe has changed a great deal; many Chinese manufacturers have entered the market and, unfortunately, they have displaced us. We need to diversify both our products and our services. We must offer something different, incorporating ceramic hobs and complete kitchen solutions”.
At the divisional level, there are opportunities, and work is progressing on various lines of collaboration. Eika is also exploring different options together with Fagor Electrónica, Copreci and Orkli.
“To safeguard jobs, we need to manufacture different products and develop new activities; we are receiving various ideas from MONDRAGON, with a medium- and long-term outlook”, concludes Arrieta.
Hopefully that will be the case.
