Today, we’re excited to sit down with Carlos Bañuls, our Chief Financial Officer at Basor Electric. With 17 years of commitment under his belt, Carlos has been a driving force behind our financial management and growth strategy. As someone who’s been with the company during key moments of its evolution, he’s seen it all—and helped shape it. In this interview, Carlos shares his journey and what it’s been like to grow alongside Basor Electric.
1. How did your journey at Basor begin?
Professionally, I joined at a tough time. It was July 2007, and just a few months later, the 2008 financial crisis hit: the real estate bubble burst, the stock market tanked, and some savings banks went under… Crazy, right? I learned more in my first year on the job than in five years studying business in college.
Personally, I came in with a lot of excitement and energy. I was 22, eager to put my college knowledge to use and, more importantly, help my family.
I want to take a moment to highlight something crucial here: I owe who I am today to my parents. From an early age, they taught my siblings and me three key values—hard work, the importance of family, and a deep love for Basor. I’ve been coming to the company with my dad since I can remember… He instilled in us the same love for Basor that he has, and in the end, he succeeded.
2. After your training period in each department, did you know the role you wanted to take on within the company?
Absolutely. From day one at Basor, I knew the role I wanted to play in the future—but I had to prove myself. At Basor, it doesn’t matter if you’re “the boss’s son” or “the cousin of so-and-so.”
Since 2007, I’ve rotated through various positions in our financial management division—HR assistant, administrative assistant, accountant, purchasing manager, administration manager, and financial director—before eventually landing my current role as CFO of the Basor group.
3. With two brothers who went into engineering, did you always know you’d prefer finance?
With three industrial engineers in the family, I figured that was enough… haha.
I always knew I wanted to study something related to economics and finance. Finance is a crucial part of our lives. I believe everyone over the age of 16 should have basic financial literacy. It helps us make better decisions about how we live, what we do with our money, how we spend it, and how we invest it.
4. What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your current role, and how have you overcome them?
For CFOs, the biggest challenges usually boil down to four things:
- Anticipating any threats that could impact Basor, like economic downturns, raw material volatility, or financial sector instability.
- Controlling costs with precision.
- Maintaining optimal cash flow to capitalize on market opportunities.
- Attracting top talent to the finance team.
The key to overcoming these challenges is staying informed about the real state of our company, building a strong team, and approaching problems with a proactive mindset.
5. The electrical industry has seen significant changes in the last decade, with new products and technologies emerging. Where do you see Basor Electric 10 years from now?
I’m not one to think too far ahead—I prefer to focus on the present.
That said, Basor’s growth has been incredible. We’ve positioned ourselves as a leader in cable management across Southern Europe, with a presence on five continents and a team of over 350 people worldwide.
Where will we be in 10 years? Honestly, I don’t know. But I can promise you this: we’ll be living up to the standards set by those who came before us. Basor’s leadership team works around the clock to ensure the company continues to grow and thrive.
Before we wrap up, I want to express my deepest gratitude to every member of the Basor family. Your daily commitment and passion for what we do are the driving forces behind our success.
Thank you, Carlos, for your time and your generosity sharing your vision.
