Our Story
More than 50 years shaping who we are today
A hardware shop in Torrelavega, Spain. An idea that did not fit the status quo.
And a spirit of nonconformity as the driving force behind everything that followed.
The beginning of a journey
Our story began inside a single trunk, filled with nonconformity and hope. It carried no riches and no maps, only an idea that did not fit the world as it was known.
Back in 1972, that dream took root in Torrelavega, giving rise to Ferretería Villanueva. What began as a small hardware shop was not just a business. It was the beginning of a journey, a project built on what had been learned across the ocean and on the determination to make it grow at home.
And that journey soon stopped being travelled alone. New hands joined along the way. A new generation learned the trade from the inside, understanding not only the work itself, but also the way it should be done. The direction was no longer shaped by one person alone; it became a shared path.
Over time, the project grew. It adapted, evolved and moved forward, yet never lost sight of its roots. There were difficult moments, complex decisions and periods when moving forward required more effort than ever before. Moments when staying the course became a matter of conviction. And it was precisely during those periods that everything became stronger.
Key milestones in our journey
1972
Ferretería Villanueva is founded in Torrelavega
The origin of everything
1980
New hands at the helm
The second generation joins the business
1989
Spain’s major socio-economic crisis
We find a way to emerge stronger
1990
FJ is founded
Establishing our identity as an industrial company
1997
Installation capabilities
Expanding our value proposition
2006
In-house manufacturing and design
A qualitative leap in autonomy and technical control
2007
HTS is founded
A new line specialising in MCT safety sealing systems for cables
2010
Integration
The Group incorporates systems integration capabilities. SAVAL is launched as FJ’s first proprietary product line
2020
Engineering and development
Strengthening our in-house technical expertise
2021
New hands join the journey
The third generation joins the business
2022
PRIOR is launched
FJ’s second product line. R&D projects gets underway
2026
Digitalisation and rebranding
The Group evolves into Jove Group
Key milestones in our journey
1972
Ferretería Villanueva is founded in Torrelavega
The origin of everything
1980
New hands at the helm
The second generation joins the business
1989
Spain’s major socio-economic crisis
We find a way to emerge stronger
1990
FJ is founded
Establishing our identity as an industrial company
1997
Installation capabilities
Expanding our value proposition
2006
In-house manufacturing and design
A qualitative leap in autonomy and technical control
2007
HTS is founded
A new line specialising in MCT safety sealing systems for cables
2010
Integration
The Group incorporates systems integration capabilities. SAVAL is launched as FJ’s first proprietary product line
2020
Engineering and development
Strengthening our in-house technical expertise
2021
New hands join the journey
The third generation joins the business
2022
PRIOR is launched
FJ’s second product line. R&D projects gets underway
2026
Digitalisation and rebranding
The Group evolves into Jove Group
From Torrelavega, Spain, to the world
Over the years, that hardware shop grew and evolved. Step by step, it expanded its scope and structure until it became Fernández Jove Group, an industrial group with a presence in over 65 countries and offices across four continents.
More than 50 years have passed since that journey began. More than five decades of steady progress, diversifying activities, strengthening the companies within the Group — FJ and HTS — and consolidating a clear direction. Over time, the project has also evolved in its identity.
Today, the group is becoming Jove Group. This change does not break with the past; it builds on it and looks to the future. It is a natural evolution that reflects the journey so far and points towards what lies ahead. Because growth is not just about moving forward; it is about doing so with consistency, sound judgement and a clear sense of purpose, ensuring that every step makes sense within the bigger picture.
