Impetus: “A good example of a flagship company in the Portuguese economy”
Within the scope of “COMPETE 2020: close to those who create value” the president of COMPETE 2020, Rui Vinhas da Silva, describes Impetus, a brand with 100% Portuguese capital, dedicated to the production and trade of underwear, loungewear and nightwear, in the following manner:
“Impetus Portugal is today, a group of twelve companies that in a little over 40 years went from just six to 700 workers. The company has its focus on the manufacturing and trading of men and women’s underwear. The company’s philosophy is rooted on a strong commitment to innovation that enables it to be on the technological cutting-edge. Anchored on exemplary management and logistics and know-how acquired over decades Impetus Portugal shows a strong aptitude for international markets, exporting not only private-label but also under the Impetus own branded goods. A good example of a flagship company in the Portuguese economy.”
A Brief History of Impetus Portugal Têxteis
Impetus Portugal, - Têxteis, began its activities in the textile sector (underwear for men and women) in December 1973, with only six people. Today, with 12 companies and about 700 workers the group has attained an annual production of 15.000.000 articles. Their technological level added to their organizational and logistic capabilities, as well as the know-how acquired over four decades of activity, have put the company at the vanguard of the underwear fashion industry at a European level. With a completely integrated vertical structure, the group is specialized not only in the traditional way of making clothes (cutting and sowing), but it is also specialized in making seamless garments, thus through the development, R&D, production and innovation they provide their customers an excellent service. All the production is exported to markets such as Europe, Canada, the United States, Australia, China, Mexico and Japan.
Impetus is a brand of under wear, pajamas, loungewear and beachwear that distinguishes itself by its quality and design. Leader in the more classic models, the brand constantly evolved thus being able to be at the vanguard of fashion and design. The purity of the modern lines and their functionality, distinguish Impetus as one of the most renowned brands of underwear.
Impetus’ Unit of Creation and Development of Products is responsible for the conception of 90% of the articles produced by the companies of the Group.
The team of designers and developers, supported by other technicians specialized in the areas of shaping, prototypes, planning and costs, and sophisticated CAD equipment dedicate themselves to investigate and implement new solutions in the treatment of the fibers and finishing, and the optimization of new technologies that are continually being incorporated into the industrial structure. One of the examples are those that involve the production of seamless articles, and new raw-materials, making sure that the group is always prepared to quickly respond to the constant demand of innovation dictated by the tendencies and by the evolution of fashion.
Impetus believes and recognizes that its involvement in the market is not only centered on its economic activity. Impetus interprets its role as being an integral part of a set of duties and obligations and commitments to all the special interest groups that depend on their activities: its shareholders, its collaborators, suppliers, clients, competitors, media, government, trade unions and specific interest groups.
In this way, Impetus Portugal – Têxteis, S.A., believes that the achievement of its long term goals are necessarily founded on a rigorous accomplishment of the highest standards of ethical conduct. Currently Impetus Portugal – Têxteis S.A., is recognized as a responsible group not only for the principal activity of the company, but also with respect to the benefits that result from the preservation and improvement of the environmental and social surroundings.
“COMPETE 2020: close to those who create value”
On the 18th of November 2015, the president of COMPETE 2020 Rui Vinhas da Silva began a weeklong visit to companies in the textiles and fashion sectors.
These are sectors of economic activity that have experienced growth in exports in the order of 9,5% in 2014 (ANIVEC). From 2009 to 2014, these sectors saw export sales rocket by a staggering 29%. Within the textile sector exports of clothing represented 60,2% of 2014 total exports, and contributed to the balance of trade with a surplus of 967 million euros.
The visit by the Chairman of COMPETE 2020 is part of a wider agenda to bring firms who are keen on exporting their goods and internationalize their economic activity on the one hand and COMPETE 2020 on the other closer and closer together as both sides share a common purpose, that of increasing exports and substituting imports, thus contributing to a structurally healthier balance of trade.
By identifying the set of critical factors for economic growth that are inherent to successful export strategies, by acting in a consistent and systematic way, by adding value to tradable goods, committing to incorporate innovation, applied knowledge and marketing, listing what is necessary to do to remove the structural and behavioral barriers to direct external investment, it will be be possible to create the conditions for sustained economic growth in Portugal via competitiveness and exports, all of which materializes the ultimate objective of COMPETE 2020.
According to Rui Vinhas da Silva, president of COMPETE 2020, the visits within the scope of “COMPETE 2020:close to those who create value”, showed that the textiles and clothing sector which has undergone severe turmoil with the opening of the European markets to China and the 2008 crisis, were able to reinvent themselves, having acquired sustainable competitive advantages anchored in tangible differentiation (sophisticated processes and products) thus improving the competitiveness of the Portuguese economy. Less has been done on the branding (both corporate and product) front, but progress has been made.
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