Tubacex People: Peio Manzarbeitia

 

First, tell us who Peio Manzarbeitia is. Before joining Tubacex, you were heavily involved in rowing with Deusto’s trainera team. What did you learn from that time, and how has it influenced your way of working in demanding industrial environments?

I’m a curious person, always eager to learn and take on new challenges. I think that mindset partly comes from my time in rowing. Competing in a trainera, especially with the people I rowed with in Deusto, taught me the value of collective effort, discipline, and the importance of rowing in sync toward the same goal. There’s no room for individualism, and that’s something I’ve always carried with me in the industrial world: teamwork is the foundation for achieving any ambitious goal.

 

You joined Tubacex through the Basque Government’s Global Training programme. How do you remember those first steps in the company?

I remember it as the opportunity that opened the door to the world. It was my first industrial experience, and from day one I felt supported and encouraged to contribute. At Tubacex I found a company that believes in young talent, gives you responsibility from the start, and pushes you to grow. That first assignment in Thailand was like an accelerated school—I learned a lot, both technically and personally.

 

One of the key milestones in your career has been your international experience. What did you take away from your time in the Thailand and Kazakhstan plants?

Those experiences shaped me deeply, each country offering a different kind of learning. In Thailand, the first major lesson was cultural: respect, patience, and the value of the unspoken. At first, I struggled with the work rhythms and styles, but I quickly discovered the strength of the local team—their commitment and adaptability.

Kazakhstan was a completely different setting. A colder environment, both literally and organizationally, with a very specific set of challenges. It was a short but intense experience where I learned to manage uncertainty and become more self-reliant.

Living in both extremes helped me develop a global mindset and strong adaptability.

 

Today, you’re part of Tubacex’s most ambitious industrial project in recent years, in Abu Dhabi. What does this challenge mean to you?

The responsibility and expectations are high, but it’s a great honor to be part of such a major project. This is a strategic initiative for the company, and being part of its launch is a unique opportunity.

The team we’ve built in Abu Dhabi is multicultural, committed, and hard-working, with a constant drive to improve. That’s what motivates me every day.

 

What do you value most about working at Tubacex?

Without a doubt, the trust the company places in its people. From the start, I’ve been given room to grow, take on responsibility, and contribute to high-impact projects. I also greatly value the international character of the company, its commitment to continuous improvement, and the feeling that we’re always moving forward, looking for ways to be better.

 

Looking back, what would you tell the young man who started as an intern in Thailand?

I’d tell him to enjoy the ride, not to be afraid of making mistakes, and to say yes to the challenges that come his way—even when they feel overwhelming. To trust that with the right attitude and willingness to learn, everything will fall into place. And to listen closely: every person you meet at Tubacex has something valuable to teach you.

 

And finally… are you still connected to rowing in some way? How do you unwind in your free time in Abu Dhabi?

I’ll always be connected to rowing, especially with the team I still meet up with whenever I’m back in Bilbao.

In Abu Dhabi, I try to stay active with some indoor rowing, but I mostly take the weekends to explore the country, disconnect, recharge, and meet new people. That’s always helped me deal with being far from family and close friends.