By Alicia Corchón PérezBy Alicia Corchón Pérez

Ensidesa (Empresa Nacional Siderúrgica, S.A.; Steel National Company, PLC) was a very important factory in the history of Avilés. It’s a very big steel factory.

It was founded in 1950 by the government of the dictator Franco in order to improve the economic development in Spain.

The factory began to operate in 1956 and the first of its four blast furnaces was inaugurated on 24th September 1957. It was called Carmen, like Franco’s wife. The other three blast furnaces were Joaquina (inaugurated in November 1958), Rosario (August 1966) and IV Carmen (July 1969).

On the right, the picture shows habitat caissons used in the construction of Ensidesa. They were called “Campanas” (bells) and they were very dangerous. Many people died under them.

In 1975, Ensidesa In 1975, Ensidesa had 27,244 had 27,244 employees who employees who were directly taken were directly taken on, but other side on, but other side factories which factories which were born due to were born due to Ensidesa, gave jobs Ensidesa, gave jobs to 43,000 people.to 43,000 people.

Many people came to work to Asturias and to Avilés from Andalucía, Galicia and Castilla y León due to the industrial development that this zone had.

Avilés used to have over 20,000 Avilés used to have over 20,000 inhabitants in 1950, but in 1979 the inhabitants in 1950, but in 1979 the population reached the number of 91,274 population reached the number of 91,274 inhabitants.inhabitants.

This rapid population growth This rapid population growth generated a big problem: the generated a big problem: the immigrants didn’t have a home. immigrants didn’t have a home. Because of that, many neighborhoods Because of that, many neighborhoods were built for Ensidesa’s workers: were built for Ensidesa’s workers: Llaranes, Trasona, La Tejera, La Luz, Llaranes, Trasona, La Tejera, La Luz, Buenavista, La Carriona, Versalles…Buenavista, La Carriona, Versalles…

La Luz

Trasona

Llaranes

Ensidesa also had a school for future workers Ensidesa also had a school for future workers ((Escuela de aprendicesEscuela de aprendices), and a sports club (), and a sports club (Club Club Deportivo EnsidesaDeportivo Ensidesa). The people who worked in ). The people who worked in Ensidesa and their families had a small hospital Ensidesa and their families had a small hospital at their disposal (the at their disposal (the HospitalilloHospitalillo).).

Llaranes

The factory had many changes in The factory had many changes in its name due to several mergings its name due to several mergings and acquisitions: at first, it was and acquisitions: at first, it was called Ensidesa, as from December called Ensidesa, as from December 1994 until 1997, CSI (1994 until 1997, CSI (Corporación Corporación Siderúrgica IntegralSiderúrgica Integral); then, ); then, Aceralia. Aceralia became a Aceralia. Aceralia became a private company which merged private company which merged with Arbed and Usinor, (two steel with Arbed and Usinor, (two steel companies) in February 2002. The companies) in February 2002. The product of the merging was product of the merging was Arcelor.Arcelor.The company has been called The company has been called ArcelorMittal since 2006, when it ArcelorMittal since 2006, when it was bought by Mittal-Steel.was bought by Mittal-Steel.