PME Líder 2022

CANDIGRÉS moves forward with important investments

CANDIGRÉS moves forward with important investments

Candigrés was founded in 1997 and has its facilities in Candieira – Avelãs de Cima, in the municipality of Anadia. With 26 years of life, Candigrés has followed a path of growth and, today, is a reference company, at regional and national level, in the production of a wide range of products in high quality Ceramic Stoneware, from refractory brick to CANDIWALL System solutions, high performance ceramic ETICS system, developed by Candigrés, patented and approved in several countries. Simão Pedro, managing partner, stresses that Candigrés stands out "for its versatility and ability to develop products tailored to the customer, the result of the evolution based on knowledge and know-how of almost three decades". The company currently has 25 full-time employees, but occasionally uses temporary labor. With a deployment area of 60,000m2 of which 15,000m2 are covered area, an important expansion project is underway. "We have followed a strategy of sustainable growth, investing in the expansion of the covered area, in industrial equipment, automation and in the development and expansion of the product range. At the moment, four new investment projects are underway, highlighting the expansion of the covered area, which will go from the current 15,000m2 to 23,500m2, later this year", adding to this the investment that is being made in a new production line, "which will allow the further diversification of the offer of products and finishes", the "doubling of the production of electricity through photovoltaic panels, increasing from 200kW to 400kW by the end of 2023", and the use of electric vehicles and forklifts, reveals Simão Pedro. With regard to innovation, Candigrés continues to invest in the optimization of the production system, reducing losses and improving energy efficiency. In addition, the company incorporates in its raw material, recycled materials from other ceramics (after recovery processes), which contributes to the reduction of the consumption of natural resources and to greater energy efficiency. As for the markets where it has operated, in addition to the domestic market, Candigrés has exported to Spain, France, the United Kingdom and the Maghreb, and exports represent about 40% of the company's turnover. It is also worth mentioning the recent investment made in the construction of a new laboratory, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and technology, where production is controlled and new products are developed. "Developing, producing and marketing high-quality ceramic products for the public and private sector, with the aim of delivering unique solutions with a timeless, contemporary or rustic design, making the customer's vision real, is our mission," says the entrepreneur.