Manusa: smart accesses that open the doors to the future

At the Bankinter Innovation Foundation we work with an ecosystem that connects innovation, knowledge and the future. Companies such as Manusa, which are part of the Cre100do Foundation, perfectly represent how innovation drives sustainable growth, global competitiveness and the creation of quality employment in the Spanish middle-market.

Today, in our series of interviews with Cre100do companies, we talk with José F. Medina, CEO of Manusa, a company with almost 60 years of history that has been able to evolve continuously, anticipating technological changes to lead the automated access sector at an international level.

Innovating to open up new opportunities

Since its foundation in 1966, Manusa has maintained a non-negotiable principle: to make people’s lives easier through innovation in access. What began as a company specialising in industrial handling equipment quickly evolved into a new concept: automatic doors for people. In 1972, Manusa was the pioneer in introducing this technology in Spain, marking a before and after in the sector.

José F. Medina , CEO of the company, highlights that technological innovation has been the compass that has guided Manusa at every stage of its history. From the early incorporation of microprocessors to electronically manage accesses, to the design of exportable systems, each advance has responded to a clear vision: to anticipate the needs of society.

This ability to anticipate has allowed Manusa to lead the national market and lay the foundations for its international expansion. Innovation is the very essence of the company. Innovating, for Manusa, means detecting how buildings, the flows of people and technological expectations change, and designing solutions that drive those changes.

The commitment to integrate connectivity, intelligence and personalisation into its products confirms that, at Manusa, opening a door has never been a mechanical gesture: it is, and will continue to be, an opportunity to improve the experience of each user.

Trends that mark the sector

The automatic access sector is undergoing a profound transformation, and Manusa is at the heart of this change. According to José Medina, there are three major trends that are reshaping the market: connectivity through the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence applied to data analysis and the personalisation of the access experience.

Native connectivity is already a reality in its products. Manusa’s automatic doors are securely integrated into digital networks, allowing remote management, advanced incident diagnosis, energy optimisation and real-time flow analysis.

Artificial intelligence is beginning to play an increasingly important role. Manusa is working on solutions that, based on the data collected by the access sensors, make it possible to anticipate maintenance needs, optimise opening patterns according to environmental conditions or the flow of people, and even improve the energy efficiency of buildings.

Finally, the personalization of access is making its way thanks to technologies such as virtual keys. In residential buildings, for example, Manusa already offers solutions that allow temporary access for courier or maintenance services to be securely managed, increasing the comfort and safety of users.

In short, Manusa naturally integrates technological trends into products that make mobility in spaces smarter, more efficient and flexible.

Connected solutions to improve mobility and safety

Manusa develops intelligent accesses that optimise mobility and security in critical environments. Its solutions not only automate the movement of people, but also allow the flow of people to be managed in an advanced way in healthcare, commercial, transport and residential buildings.

In hospitals, its automatic doors help to maintain critical airtightness, hygiene and safety conditions, such as positive pressure in operating theatres to prevent the entry of pollutants. They also incorporate smart glasses in intensive care units (ICUs), which allow the level of privacy of each room to be adapted according to clinical or family needs.

At airports and transport stations, Manusa’s solutions allow the flow of passengers to be dynamically managed, adapting in real time to traffic peaks and improving the travel experience.

In office buildings and shopping centres, connected access not only optimises operational efficiency, but also contributes to improving the experience of customers and employees, adapting to the new demands of smart mobility.

Accessibility for all people

Manusa incorporates in all its solutions the commitment to guarantee universal accessibility. Its access systems are designed to facilitate use by the elderly and people with reduced mobility or disabilities, eliminating physical barriers and ensuring a safe, comfortable and autonomous user experience.

This attention to accessibility is not an add-on, but a fundamental principle in the design of its products, in line with the best practices of inclusion and social responsibility.

Sustainability and energy efficiency

Intelligent access automation not only improves mobility, it also makes a direct contribution to energy efficiency. An access that closes automatically helps maintain the thermal conditions inside buildings, reducing the need for heating in winter and air conditioning in summer.

This reduction in energy consumption has a positive impact on the operating costs of buildings and reinforces their contribution to sustainability goals. Manusa understands that energy efficiency starts with small gestures: a door that opens and closes intelligently can make all the difference in a building’s energy balance.

Promotion of environmental certifications

Thanks to the optimisation of energy consumption and the integration of technologies that improve operational efficiency, Manusa solutions have the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and actively contribute to obtaining environmental certifications such as LEED and BREEAM.

These certifications, which are increasingly valued internationally, recognise good practices in sustainable construction and building efficiency. Manusa’s smart accesses thus become strategic allies for architects, engineers and property managers who seek to achieve the highest standards in sustainability and environmental responsibility.

From Sant Cugat del Vallès to the world: a global expansion based on innovation and alliances

Manusa’s internationalization is not only based on exporting products. It is the result of a strategy that combines technological innovation, local presence and alliance building.

As José Medina explains, one of the key steps was to design their access systems in the form of compact powertrains, easy to install anywhere in the world. This approach allowed Manusa to rapidly expand outside of Spain.

But to consolidate its international presence, Manusa also opted for the opening of its own subsidiaries in strategic markets. This allowed them to be closer to customers, better understand local particularities and offer a more agile and personalized service.

In those countries where they do not have a direct presence, Manusa has built a network of strategic partners. These alliances allow them to maintain a high standard of quality, guarantee adequate technical attention and adapt their solutions to the specific needs of each market.

Today, Manusa operates in more than 90 countries and its international growth continues to be based on the same principles that guided its first steps: innovation, customer proximity and long-term collaboration with its partners.

Cre100do: a boost to continue growing

For Manusa, being part of the Cre100do Foundation is a recognition and a strategic opportunity. As José Medina explains, belonging to Cre100do allows you to share experiences with other innovative medium-sized companies, learn from different growth models and access new management and competitiveness tools.

The Cre100do Foundation promotes the transformation of companies in the Spanish middle-market, helping them to strengthen their internationalisation, innovation and sustainability. Manusa fully fits this profile: a company that has always been committed to anticipating the future, incorporating advanced technology and expanding its global presence.

“Cre100do allows us to grow by learning together with other companies that share a similar vision of the future,” Medina summarises. A space for collaboration and knowledge that reinforces Manusa’s positioning as a company that not only innovates in technology, but also in its way of managing and projecting itself to the world.

Thank you very much José! And may the successes continue!

If you want to know more about the Cre100do Foundation, the companies that are part of the program and their activities, we invite you to visit their website.