Kimua Group: Engineering Innovation with a Purpose

This blog post is part of 50+ case studies of self-managing organizations we created for the 2024 inaugural ZeroDX awards. These organizations embody the principles of RenDanHeYi in their work structures:

• Zero Distance to customer: Decision what to build is based on insights from the marketplace

• Autonomy: Small teams with full decision-making autonomy enable speed in execution

• Shared Rewards: Everyone in the micro-enterprise participates in its financial success.

Introducing Kimua Group

Established in 2011, Kimua Group is a Basque company headquartered in Gipuzkoa, specializing in engineering, manufacturing, and testing complex systems for handling large cargo. Serving industries such as wind energy, aerospace, marine, and railway, Kimua delivers bespoke solutions that push the boundaries of possibility. Their ethos, encapsulated in the term "Kimuality," reflects their dedication to sustainability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Kimua’s innovative achievements, such as developing the world-class Basajaun load-testing rig and creating lifting yokes for some of the largest wind turbines across three continents, underscore their technical expertise. At the same time, their self-managed organizational model aligns with the RenDanHeYi philosophy, emphasizing decentralization, autonomy, and shared rewards.

Organizational Structure

Kimua Group operates with a flat organizational structure designed to empower employees at all levels. This decentralized setup encourages autonomy, fosters innovation, and allows teams to adapt quickly to shifting industry demands.

Key elements of Kimua’s organizational structure include:

• Decentralized decision-making: Teams have decision-making power, reducing reliance on top-down management.
• Rotating team leaders: Team leaders rotate, ensuring collaboration and coordination across departments.
• Collective ownership: Employees take full ownership of their projects, driving both accountability and innovation.

This approach not only enhances agility but also cultivates a workplace culture where employees are deeply invested in the company's success.

Customer-Centric Approach

Kimua’s flat structure and decentralized decision-making model significantly enhance its customer-centric strategy. By ensuring that employees closest to the client have the authority to act, Kimua delivers exceptional customer experiences.

• Direct customer engagement: Over 57% of employees engage directly with clients, a figure Kimua aims to increase further. This hands-on approach leads to better understanding and faster responses to client needs.
• Tailored solutions: Employees collaborate closely with clients during early project phases, ensuring solutions are customized to their requirements.
• Exceptional responsiveness: The decentralized structure enables teams to address inquiries and challenges immediately, reducing lead times and improving satisfaction.

By integrating a deep understanding of client needs with technical expertise, Kimua consistently delivers value in high-demand industries.

Culture and Employee Engagement

At the core of Kimua’s success is its vibrant organizational culture, which emphasizes teamwork, learning, and well-being. This culture is underpinned by several key initiatives:

• Employee engagement activities: From the "Kimua Dantza Kolektiboa" initiative to supporting employees' musical projects, Kimua invests in fostering a collaborative and creative environment.
• Health and well-being: Employees are provided with professional sportswear and encouraged to participate in outdoor team-building activities.
• Profit-sharing: Kimua shares 25% of its profits equally among all employees. Regardless of the job position, 100% of the team members receive an equal share of this profit-sharing bonus. This egalitarian approach aligns individual and company success.

These efforts contribute to a workplace where employees feel valued, motivated, and engaged in the company’s long-term vision.

Commitment to Sustainability

Kimua’s commitment to sustainability is evident in both its operations and community initiatives:

• Renewable energy: In 2024, 33% of the company’s electricity consumption came from its photovoltaic installation, up from 29% in 2023.
• Sustainable mobility: Kimua introduced its first electric vehicle and installed EV charging stations for employees and visitors.
• "Zero Kilometer" initiatives: Employees are encouraged to source local products like vegetables, eggs, and fish, reducing their carbon footprint while supporting the local economy.
• Low carbon footprint: An independent third party certifies Kimua’s “Very Low” carbon footprint, reflecting the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

Kimua’s focus on sustainability extends beyond compliance; it’s a core part of their identity, reflecting their commitment to both global and local environmental stewardship.

Conclusion

Kimua Group is more than just an engineering company—it’s a forward-thinking organization that balances innovation, autonomy, and sustainability to solve some of the most complex challenges in industries like wind energy, aerospace, and railways. With a decentralized structure, a culture of collaboration, and a strong focus on both employee well-being and environmental responsibility, Kimua is a model for how companies can thrive while making a positive impact.

As Kimua continues to push the boundaries of possibility, it serves as an inspiration for other organizations looking to adopt self-management, shared rewards, and sustainable practices.