CISA: First 125 Years of Innovation and Excellence

03 Oct CISA: First 125 Years of Innovation and Excellence

This last quarter of 2024, we are celebrating 125 years of CISA. Founded in 1899, we commemorate this long journey during which we have maintained a firm commitment to progress, innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction—values that have been fundamental to our continuous growth. From a small local company manufacturing wooden sieves and screens, we now have a presence in more than 80 countries across all five continents, securing clients from prestigious firms in various sectors, mainly pharmaceuticals. Our flagship product, the sieve, is complemented by our own line of electromagnetic sieving machines for the laboratory and industrial sectors.

The Early Years: A Solid Foundation

It was in 1899 when Don Antoni Ros established a workshop for manufacturing wooden sieves and screens in the Poblenou neighborhood of Barcelona. Together with his son-in-law, Juan José Sans Alabau, they moved to a new building located on Pere IV Street in Barcelona, initiating a new activity: the commercialization of metal mesh for industrial applications. With the drive of Sans Alabau, CISA Cedacería Industrial consolidated itself as one of the main suppliers of metal meshes at the national level. From the very beginning, dedication to well-executed work and attention to detail became the pillars of the company’s business philosophy.

Evolution and Growth

 As the market and technology evolved, CISA knew how to adapt and grow. In 1960, Jordi Ferrer Carabús, son-in-law of Sans Alabau, propelled the conception, commercial strategy, and evolution of the classic wooden sieve, transitioning from artisanal manufacturing to industrial production of precision metal sieves. This was complemented by a line of electromagnetic sieving machines that became a benchmark in the national market for almost 20 years: we are talking about the PTZ40 model. This sieving machine marked an important milestone in CISA’s history. This new product not only allowed expansion into new markets but also reinforced the company’s reputation as a pioneer in the industry.

Over the years, the product line was expanded to include sieving equipment with digital regulation, each designed with the same meticulousness and passion that characterize the company. The first sieving machine with digital regulation was the RP01 model, followed by the RP08 and RP10. CISA’s ability to anticipate and respond to market trends has been crucial in staying at the forefront. At the same time, the domestic sieve, which was only understood as a tool for separating coarser fractions from finer ones and was commonly used in barns, flour mills, foundries, and pharmacies, came to be considered a “tamiz”: a metrological tool subject to increasingly demanding normative criteria.

Looking Towards the Future

Currently, CISA is the world’s third-largest producer of certified sieves, placing it in a strong position for more ambitious objectives. Under the current CEO, Jordi Ferrer Sans, the company is established with a clear vision: to offer high-quality products that meet market needs.

Today, as we celebrate our 125th anniversary, we continue looking towards the future with enthusiasm and determination. We are committed to continuing to innovate and offering products that not only meet customer needs but also exceed their expectations. Additionally, our future plans include corporate social responsibility initiatives in the form of collaborations with local communities to support development and social well-being, as we desire this celebration to have a positive impact beyond the company.

 The Early Years: A Solid Foundation

It was in 1899 when Don Antoni Ros established a workshop for manufacturing wooden sieves and screens in the Poblenou neighborhood of Barcelona. Together with his son-in-law, Juan José Sans Alabau, they moved to a new building located on Pere IV Street in Barcelona, initiating a new activity: the commercialization of metal mesh for industrial applications. With the drive of Sans Alabau, CISA Cedacería Industrial consolidated itself as one of the main suppliers of metal meshes at the national level. From the very beginning, dedication to well-executed work and attention to detail became the pillars of the company’s business philosophy.

Evolution and Growth

 As the market and technology evolved, CISA knew how to adapt and grow. In 1960, Jordi Ferrer Carabús, son-in-law of Sans Alabau, propelled the conception, commercial strategy, and evolution of the classic wooden sieve, transitioning from artisanal manufacturing to industrial production of precision metal sieves. This was complemented by a line of electromagnetic sieving machines that became a benchmark in the national market for almost 20 years: we are talking about the PTZ40 model. This sieving machine marked an important milestone in CISA’s history. This new product not only allowed expansion into new markets but also reinforced the company’s reputation as a pioneer in the industry.

Over the years, the product line was expanded to include sieving equipment with digital regulation, each designed with the same meticulousness and passion that characterize the company. The first sieving machine with digital regulation was the RP01 model, followed by the RP08 and RP10. CISA’s ability to anticipate and respond to market trends has been crucial in staying at the forefront. At the same time, the domestic sieve, which was only understood as a tool for separating coarser fractions from finer ones and was commonly used in barns, flour mills, foundries, and pharmacies, came to be considered a “tamiz”: a metrological tool subject to increasingly demanding normative criteria.

 The Early Years: A Solid Foundation

It was in 1899 when Don Antoni Ros established a workshop for manufacturing wooden sieves and screens in the Poblenou neighborhood of Barcelona. Together with his son-in-law, Juan José Sans Alabau, they moved to a new building located on Pere IV Street in Barcelona, initiating a new activity: the commercialization of metal mesh for industrial applications. With the drive of Sans Alabau, CISA Cedacería Industrial consolidated itself as one of the main suppliers of metal meshes at the national level. From the very beginning, dedication to well-executed work and attention to detail became the pillars of the company’s business philosophy.

Evolution and Growth

 As the market and technology evolved, CISA knew how to adapt and grow. In 1960, Jordi Ferrer Carabús, son-in-law of Sans Alabau, propelled the conception, commercial strategy, and evolution of the classic wooden sieve, transitioning from artisanal manufacturing to industrial production of precision metal sieves. This was complemented by a line of electromagnetic sieving machines that became a benchmark in the national market for almost 20 years: we are talking about the PTZ40 model. This sieving machine marked an important milestone in CISA’s history. This new product not only allowed expansion into new markets but also reinforced the company’s reputation as a pioneer in the industry.

Over the years, the product line was expanded to include sieving equipment with digital regulation, each designed with the same meticulousness and passion that characterize the company. The first sieving machine with digital regulation was the RP01 model, followed by the RP08 and RP10. CISA’s ability to anticipate and respond to market trends has been crucial in staying at the forefront. At the same time, the domestic sieve, which was only understood as a tool for separating coarser fractions from finer ones and was commonly used in barns, flour mills, foundries, and pharmacies, came to be considered a “tamiz”: a metrological tool subject to increasingly demanding normative criteria.

Looking Towards the Future

Currently, CISA is the world’s third-largest producer of certified sieves, placing it in a strong position for more ambitious objectives. Under the current CEO, Jordi Ferrer Sans, the company is established with a clear vision: to offer high-quality products that meet market needs.

Today, as we celebrate our 125th anniversary, we continue looking towards the future with enthusiasm and determination. We are committed to continuing to innovate and offering products that not only meet customer needs but also exceed their expectations. Additionally, our future plans include corporate social responsibility initiatives in the form of collaborations with local communities to support development and social well-being, as we desire this celebration to have a positive impact beyond the company.

We invite you to read the interview with our CEO, Jordi Ferrer Sans, published in the magazine “Técnicas de Laboratorio”, page 34.