Natural
In’novation

The company, formerly called “Carpintaria Vale Covo, was founded in 1958 and has started production in March. 1958, in a narrow 80sqm hall, set up by its own founders.

It was officially registered on May 2nd, 1958, with 3 partners, Mr. Gabriel Oliveira being its leader.

By mid-1958 the company was already equipped with some new machinery and employing:
1 plane, 1 router  operator, 4 carpenters,  5  trainees,  as a result  of the investment in the first equipments: a  mechanical plane, a router, a table saw and a circular saw.

By those days, Lisbon was noticing a fast development with plenty of new housing projects on the ground, so the number of our employees gradually increased as well.

With the increasing number of employees, an air siren has been installed in order to warn workers of opening, lunch time and closing times of the factory. Even today its sound remains a distinctive and peculiar one that traces the rhythm of everyday’s social life around the village of Caranguejeira.

By the end of the 1960’s, Manuel Rodrigues, one of the stakeholders, left the company. At the time, Valco was already employing more than 50 workers and the facilities surfaced around 200m2.

The beginning of exports to France and Germany made it necessary to hire a professional interpreter,   invest on a new truck for long trips and to purchase  office support equipment in Lisbon. Trade relations with foreign markets and the presence in international trade fairs reinforced the need for new equipment, in order to be able to follow modern market trends and updated technologies. The investment on a first press line for flush doors has enabled us   produce around 50 units per day!

The 1970’s saw a rapid growth of the company and larger scale investments like:
first Kiln-dryer, lacquer finishing line as well as an  automated accounting system.
Ten more employees were hired by the time.

Unstable political situation the country faced as a result of the april military coup in 1974, created a serious impact on the overall domestic economy and most critical in the building sector when many housing projects were cancelled or even abandoned. Once again, the directors of Valco showed   strong human concern with the well-being of employees and all jobs were kept for everyone, without any salary delays or strikes. Due to a sharp shortage of regular orders, and the need to keep the factory running, production had then to turn to the manufacture of quite unusual items like: barrels, oxen carts, and many other wooden farm tools that could be used by local farmers.

By the end of the 70’s, when the country finally stabilized and life went back to normal, many projects were revived and construction sector saw an upward move, with major jobs being concluded,  such as: School of Mexia in Montemor-o-Novo, the German military camp in Beja airbase, the neighbourhood of Celbi in Figueira da Foz, RTP-TV building in Av. 5 de Outubro and Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon.

The Number of employees rose up to 100 workforce.

The growing credibility the company was gaining in the market, together with a professional administration, both have contributed to a new era of dynamic investment and business by mid-80’s. Rui Oliveira joined the commercial team as its leader and the company started to intensify its efforts  on finding new foreign markets and exports began to flow into  France, Spain, Germany, and even Japan,.

This was a glorious decade with the biggest investments the company had ever made!

In order to increase capacity, new production units were built, and there was an investment in a modern sawmill for pine and exotic logs, new woodworking machines like: modern Veneer slicers, veneer dryers, jointing machines, boiling tanks, industrial scales, truck fleet and a wider logistic capacity. 

Another big step was the introduction of a new Computerized management and communication system and the telefax has replaced the old Telex.

Beginning of the veneer production.

As a step forward with the new business atmosphere, Rui Oliveira joined also the Administration of the sister company Emprimade.

Valco staff were exceeding 130 and yearly turnover reached 1.7 million escudos – almost 20% of which were export.

The early 90’s began with the death of Mr. Henrique Rodrigues, one of Valco’s stakeholders, on April 12nd 1990. This unexpected sad event has unfortunately originated some serious problems on the company’s regular management structure, due to a long conflict with heirs, which led  to a stalemate decade of  uncertainty and intense court lawsuits.

A deal could at last be found between both parties, and the company could then return to normal activity, concentrate on the business and restructure its administration board.

EFTA award for outstanding merit.

In spite of the existing constraints, Valco was able to keep focus on its core business: the production of doors, wardrobes, joinery and veneered panels. New integrated management programs were introduced, the company was connected to the internet, a new boiler, the acquisition of new CNC technology, and a state-of-the art finishing line were installed and we started with the production of glue-lam pine panels.

The Company consolidated the control of all phases of the production process: from forest management to the sawmill for pine and exotic lumber, veneer production, veneered panels, door line, joinery and finishing line.

Internationalization strategy: The domestic market had become too small and inadequate for Valco’s capacity, so we had to define and reinforce our strategy in foreign markets in order to cope with existing multiple business opportunities.

A business plan was established with the focus on trips to some different and somehow “unusual” countries like: Morocco, Egypt, Angola, Mozambique and Cape Verde and sales contracts were signed with these new markets.

The company invested in a new production plant, 2 CNC profilers, 1 veneer jointing machine and 2 trucks. In 1994, 1997 and 1998, the company was awarded a PME prestige prize, for its outstanding results; however, due to existing Administration conflicts, Valco could not follow the economic growth of the market.

Valco, s.a. was finally established as a PLC, with new share-holders.

New CNC machining centres for automated production lines for doors, frames and packaging,  a new finishing line and  the set up of a quality system ISO-9001. Logistics has been strengthened by the acquisition of heavy-duty vehicles.

As pioneers in standard production of doors and interior solutions, we pride ourselves to have kept up with the new market. We have therefore developed and patented a fully-finished doorset, with brand name “ARIPORTA”, which consists of a complete finished pre-hung or knock-down kit with: door leaf, frame, adjustable architrave and all hardware items ready to be installed on site.

Certification of a wide range of products, such as: technical doors, wood, paneling, and environment, as a strategic response to the growing consumer demand for socially responsible products and suppliers.

2017: Acquisition of a New finishing line – an investment over 1,5 m€.

The founder of VALCO has always devoted a genuine concern and commitment with local community: football club, philharmonic band, nursing and day care centers and parish council.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the company set up a renovation plan of its office headquarters and showroom, renewal of the corporate branding, internet website, new paper and online catalogues, presence in trade fairs. The company also implemented a quality management system, as well as a Safety& Health programme at work.

Valco’s facilities are the expression of a leading company in the wood sector, as the largest national SME door manufacturer. The factory covers abt. 65,000m2, employs 170, with an annual turnover of 16.5 million euros in 2007.

Emprimade, our sister-company, has emerged as a major manufacturer of engineered moulded doors, with a turnover of 7.5 m€, and employing 65. 

Economic context at the time has led to a deep restructuring of the group, reallocating production and staff, in order to take full advantage of synergy between both Valco and Emprimade manufacturing sites and become much more competitive.

Valco Transport Firm was created in order to provide wider and more flexible logistic support to the production activity.

The company created an international branch company, with office and warehouse facilities in France as “  S.A. Valco France ”

A nother branch office and a warehouse were opened in luanda, as  “Angolmade, S.A.”

Company founder, Gabriel Oliveira passed away on April 17th, 2014.

New investment in the logistics and shipment, as well as a new layout of DOORS, joinery and finishing lines.

Acquisition and set up of a modern 4.0 line for wardrobe&cupboard production.  This major investment includes:  erection of a new industrial hall, new dust extraction system, compressed air and a new waste collector. 

This year was severely hit by wildfires, with consequent raw material shortages of pine logs, which are vital for the normal sawmill activity.

Valco Group celebrates its 60th anniversary.