Socially and professionally speaking, La Maquinista had a notable influence on Barceloneta. Almost all of the employees were local residents. At peak production, there were approximately 1,800 workers from the neighborhood. It was a company where generations of the same faily worked.
Parents recommended their children join because it was considered a secure job with good pay and social benefits. Such was the connection with the area that the La Maquinista site was donated to the neighborhood after its demolition for social use, especially for educational centers and social housing. Here are some testimonials from workers or their descendants, representing all of them.
Juan Lanuza
He was a welder in the foundry department from 1948 to 1965, when the foundry closed and moved to San Andreu. An example of a family linked to the company, as his father Juan and his brothers Fermín and Agustín also worked there.
Sergio Martínez
More than 35 years with the company, as an electrician and facilities maintenance worker. He was the last person responsible for the facilities and custody of the keys until demolition. Known as “the last of Barceloneta,” he had to personally take the keys to the management office in San Andreu, including the one for the gate, which weighed almost 2 kg.
Pitu Anglada:
Four generations: great-grandfather, grandfather, father, and him, since 1981, first at San Andreu and now at Alston. The Angladas are one of many examples of family dynasties linked to Maquinista. These are proud families with a strong sense of belonging to “something more than just the factory where we worked.”
Ferran and Oriol Casabella:
Father and son. Ferran joined as an apprentice in 1974, becoming a journeyman three years later. He will retire in 2024, after 50 years with the company. He works in Barceloneta and San Andreu. Oriol joined in 2006, already as Alston, and is currently a union representative.
