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HP has confirmed its decision to develop 3D printers at its Barcelona plant. What competitive advantages do you get from developing your business in Spain?

Spain offers access to a wide range of highly trained talent with a global business vision. This true in both technical fields, with professionals trained at various prestigious universities, as well as management and business administration, with professionals coming from its internationally renowned business schools. The ecosystem of universities and technology centres in Spain also facilitates collaboration and technology transfer.

The staff in the R&D centre are highly qualified. How do you rate Spanish professionals and the sector abroad?
Spanish universities are very competitive globally, and they are consistently turning out professionals who have demonstrated their competitiveness internationally. Our educational establishments are in the front rank internationally in both technical and business disciplines. 95% of the employees in the International Centre are university graduates. That is why we have been working closely with local universities for many years to develop and attract new talent.

What might the recent rise in R&D centres, and the presence of your R&D centre, mean for Spain? What role is your centre going to play for HP globally?
Since its founding in 1985, first as a factory manufacturing plotters and a few years later as the global centre for the large-format printing business, we have been constantly revolutionising the world of digital printing from our R&D laboratory. Our history of success sets a benchmark in the business and academic worlds, consolidating Spain's position as an ideal destination for investments requiring talent and innovation. It is currently one of the company's most important R&D centres outside the USA, and has generated many high-quality jobs.
Furthermore, the ceaseless development work at our R&D centre has acted as a magnet for new international businesses and activities. This has also impacted on Spain, generating high added value both for our company and for the Spanish market. The Spanish R&D centre is staffed by the brightest talent, to meet the tremendous potential of this business. This new global responsibility for the 3D printing business has laid the firmest foundations for the centre to remain an essential component in the company's growth and innovation outside the USA.

What is the outlook for 3D printers, and how might they revolutionise the sector?
We are experiencing a new industrial revolution, and the 3D market is one of its most important driving forces. The world-wide market for 3D printers and services totalled $2.2 billion in 2012, and this is expected to grow to $10.8 billion in 2021. (figures published in The Wall Street Journal, June 13). 3D printing has great possibilities in a wide range of industries and applications. We already know about some of these, but there are many more yet to be discovered as the technology evolves and its enormous potential develops.