The origin – First generation – Santa Cruz de Tenerife

In 1926, Francisco Quintana Pérez joined the brothers' company. Until then, he had worked as a machinist on the barges (steam engines) owned by the Cory firm, which carried out port traffic. 

In 1928, the youngest of the brothers, Santiago, joined the company. Until then, he had worked as a lathe operator at Puma, a company involved in the construction of the South Pier. 

In 1929, a plot of land was purchased on the main southern road, opposite the El Chapatal estate, owned by Álvaro Rodríguez López. It was chosen because the land was on the outskirts of town and, consequently, inexpensive. Construction of a two-story building began immediately. The ground floor was to house a modern, spacious, and bright workshop, while the upper floor contained two apartments for Francisco and Nicolás.

Av Asuncionista 

In 1932, construction was completed in "La Costa," as that area was known, and the workshop was moved from its original location opposite what would later become the Numancia cinema to its new, modern facilities on the main southern highway. The spaciousness and modernity of the new facilities, along with the three brothers' unwavering determination and work ethic, ensured a positive start. That same year, they began a modest collaboration with Cepsa, which was also taking its first steps toward becoming a major global corporation.

The transition to heavy industry begins 

In 1940, a cupola furnace for iron casting and two crucible furnaces for melting non-ferrous metals were installed in the workshop, on an adjacent plot of land. The four weathervanes for the towers of La Basílica de Nuestra Selira de Candelaria were cast in bronze and machined. Large-scale metalwork projects were undertaken (the roof of Cinelandia, in La Cuesta; wrought iron gates in Las Mantecas, at the entrance to the Rodríguez López residential area; the first wastewater system; and the assembly of the Rodríguez López and Novaro Mora fish canneries in La Gomera and Tenerife, respectively). The repair of automobiles and trucks was gradually phased out due to the increasing difficulty of obtaining spare parts, and the workshop shifted its focus to larger-scale projects.

In the growing collaboration with Cepsa, and faced with the increasing difficulties the company was experiencing in replacing various parts of its distillation systems, including trays for its fractionating towers, due to the ongoing war, the oil company contacted Talleres Quintana, with whom it had maintained a good relationship for several years. The necessary studies were carried out, and Talleres Quintana, through a significant effort, cast and machined these trays, enabling Cepsa to maintain its production.

Installation of the first foundry 

The era of significant naval repairs began, with the refitting of Italian ships that had been anchored in our harbor since the beginning of the Second World War, as they belonged to a belligerent nation and we were a neutral country. Repairs were carried out on their engines, decks, hulls, rigging, and other components, leaving them ready to return to Italy.

In 1950, Nicolás Quintana Malledo, the eldest son of Nicolás Quintana Pérez, joined the company.

In 1958, Nicolás Quintana left the company and began a journey of work in large local, national and foreign companies, accumulating experience and knowledge.

Second generation – Barranco de Jagua – 45th Anniversary – Santa Cruz de Tenerife

In 1970, Nicolás Quintana Malledo returned to Tenerife, purchased a plot of land in the Jagua ravine, opposite the fishing port, and built a fully equipped industrial building. He contacted his father and uncles, reaching a financial agreement with each of them, co-owners in varying proportions, encompassing the entire company and all its staff (a key element in the agreement). The entire operation was moved to their facilities in the Jagua ravine, spacious and modern premises, ready to launch the second generation of Talleres Quintana, coinciding almost exactly with the company's 45th anniversary.

Through hard work and great effort, the company was consolidated, propelling it towards new goals and new horizons. Always striving to provide better and more comprehensive customer service, the company applied to the relevant authorities for a plot of land in the fishing port; the permit was granted, and a new workshop was built.

Fishing dock – 60th Anniversary – Santa Cruz de Tenerife

In 1985, the construction of the new workshop was completed, and the move from Jagua to the Fishing Dock took place, coinciding with the 60th anniversary. That same year, the workshop was transformed into Taller de Reparaciones N. Quintana S.L. (N. Quintana Repair Shop). The partner was Nicolás Quintana Valero, “Nico”, son of Nicolás Quintana Malledo, grandson of master craftsman Nicolás. Nico began a challenging journey of intense dedication, following in the footsteps of two generations in the workshop.

The third generation

In 1998, due to various personal circumstances, events unfolded rapidly, and Nico, Nicolás Quintana Valero, had to take full charge of the company and prove he was ready, assuming complete responsibility.Thus beginning the third generation.The facilities were expanded, the machinery was modernized, making way for new technology, and "Nico" got things moving, initiating a period of strong relationships with major clients.

In March 2005, Talleres Quintana celebrated 80 years of uninterrupted activity, continuing in its traditional style.

A new face is beginning to emerge from the shadows, a young, cheerful face, eager to live, eager to do: Nicolás Quintana Ramos, son of Nicolás Quintana Valero, grandson of Nicolás Quintana Malledo, and great-grandson of the teacher Nicolás. Perhaps one day he will say, “Now it’s my turn.” Dreaming costs nothing; “a fourth generation is on the horizon.”

This is as far as I've come with all those experiences and anecdotes, which have given me the immense privilege of having lived with these three generations and perhaps the beginning of another. I have enough anecdotes and memories to fill many pages; it's been many years.

Nicolás Quintana Malledo

The fourth generation joins the workshop. 

At that time, he didn't know how far he would go, but he started from the bottom: welder's assistant, mechanic's assistant, lathe operator's assistant, and if necessary, he'd even go to the bank. He needed to understand that a small family business can sometimes be very tough. 

In the last stage of this first career start sharing part of the management of the company and that's where I come to the conclusion that, “it is already prepared.”

Nicolás Quintana Valero

The stage begins as Manager of Talleres Quintana.  

I have had the privilege of being with previous generations and at times I have dared to analyze how each and every one of the managements has been different, my grandfather Maestro Nicolás, my father Maestro Tito, the one I carried out until recently and the one that my son Nico is now carrying out. 

It wasn't easy for me to relinquish control of the company, but now that I finally see it completed, I have complete peace of mind knowing it's in good hands. I know you can stand on your own two feet now, Nico, but don't doubt that if you need me, I'll be there. Good luck in your new role leading Talleres Quintana.

Nicolás Quintana Valero.