TOPIC 19 MANUFACTURES AND INDUSTRIES
- AN OLD TRADITION
Since ancient times, human societies learned to manually produce goods that served them to satisfy their needs. This activity was developed throughout History and remains to this day as crafts, whose importance is great in the country.
When the societies grew, the establishments were also expanded and they were called manufactures. A little more than two centuries ago the industry developed in the world, which is dedicated to mass production of goods for mass consumption. In Ecuador, small and medium industries exist in all regions.
- FISHING INDUSTRY AND ARTISINAL FISHING
The industry linked to fishing has developed rapidly in recent years. It has important investments in the fleet fishery and the network of refrigerators, as well as in factories for canning and processing of fishmeal and fish oil. Their sales are made mainly in the international market; however, the national poultry industry requires a large amount of fishmeal.
- MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY
Food and beverage industry
Textile industry
Dairy industry
Sugar industry
Footwear industry
Wood Industry
Automotive industry
Brewing industry
Housing and construction industry
It is a sector that is very dependent on public investment. It is characterized by its dynamism, influenced by oil exports. Requires a large supply of migrant workers.
It is made up of large companies assembling or assembling automotive with parts that are brought from abroad, production of bodies and small companies manufacturing auto parts or accessories. They are located in the provinces of Pichincha and Tungurahua.
This agro-industry is oriented towards the provision of the national market. At present, it is quite diversified: there are large companies, small and medium. Its wide expansion forces it to project itself to the market of neighboring countries, especially to Venezuela.
It is another traditional industry of Ecuador. Three large mills dominate the national market: San Carlos, Valdez and La Troncal, located in the provinces of Guayas and Cañar. During the harvest, hundreds of peasants of the Sierra descend as braceros to get occupation in cutting the cane.
It is one of the traditional activities of the country. Today there are many small craft breweries, while Cervecería Nacional Company belongs to a transnational conglomerate.
This is a monopolistic industrial sector, as few companies control most of the sales and asset or facilities. The activity of this sector is reason for controversy, as it causes the deforestation of the Esmeralda and Amazonian forests.
This sector is characterized by the existence of numerous small footwear industries, which offer many Job positions. In Pichincha, 28 small industries are located; in Tungurahua, 25; in Guayas, three; in Cotopaxi, three; and, one in Chimborazo. The 12 major footwear companies are concentrated, above all, in Pichincha (7).
It is one of the oldest in the country. It is made up of large spinning and weaving companies, and by numerous small clothing companies. The textile activity is concentrated, mainly, in the provinces of Pichincha and Guayas. Both types of companies supply the domestic market. The textiles even they trade with the outside. During the first decade of this century, they recovered from the shock of the 1999 crisis and the commercial opening promoted by the neoliberal model, through a strong internal productive reorganization.
It is the most important branch of activity in the manufacturing industry. It is the one with the most workers. This, added to the refining of oil and fuel and to the extraction of crude oil and natural gas, represents 67% of the total production of Ecuador. These activities are concentrated in Guayas, Pichincha and Sucumbíos.
- SMALL INDUSTRY AND CRAFTS.
Small businesses offer many jobs to the Ecuadorian population, although their production and income are lower than those of large companies. The craft activity is concentrated in the areas of textiles and clothing, food, footwear, wooden furniture, metal products, goldsmithing and carving. Small enterprises or microenterprises are part of family businesses, with a high participation of women, and complement the family income that comes from other sectors, such as industry. They are the result of the effort of people who are underemployed and looking for a job. The formal economic activity every time offers fewer jobs due to the use of labor-saving technologies..