Interview: Manuel Oliveira, Secretary general of Cefamol

Becomes particularly important to increase the vision of the industry to our customers and, as regards the institutions of the European Commission, was should implement an important strategy also with Europe due to the remarkable impact in strategic sectors such as automotiveElectronics, telecommunications or aerospace.

In this context, the fourth edition of Moulds Event, aiming to promote and increase the industrial fabric of the mould makers Portuguese between customers, centres of r & d, universities, distributors and other companies moldistas is organized by Cefamol and Centimfeacting in different countries and regions.

This initiative also promotes the ability of the moulds industry in terms of innovation and technological skills. The main objective was to bring together national and international professionals, distributors, customers and other institutions dedicated to this sector to share information and ideas and discuss proposals aimed at a sustainable development of the industry of Portuguese mould makers.

Despite the slow decline in the figures for production and export of the past two years, Portugal is very well recognized by the international plastics industry. This position is due to the consolidation of a trajectory of evolution where technological updating, knowledge and commerce are understood as fundamental elements for business success.

In fact, over the past decades, the companies moldistas Portuguese consolidated their ability and skill for engineering, operating as a strategic partner of its customers and acting as providers of solutions for engineering of moulds.

Portugal companies develop an integration of processes from conception to production, offering its customers a wide range of services. Significant investments is carried out in technology and training, by providing companies with the equipment more innovators and product process methodologies.

These investments have provided companies capacity, ability and flexibility to manufacture and market more complex and precise moulds positioning Portugal as one of the leading international companies in the manufacturing of moulds.

The industry also has a great capacity as to size and volume concerns, with production capacities from small to molds that is greater than 50 tonnes of weight, and, confronting individual orders for dozens of moulds.

Some of the keys to success are the reduction of cycles (time-to-market), the design of product for a maximum efficiency in manufacturing, the confidence and the quality of the molds that provides efficient solutions and good price to its customers.

Based on previous editions, the Portuguese moldistas are expanding their participation in the chain of value towards product development and verification of the production of plastic, using skilled human resources and knowing the requirements of the customer with the flexibility and adaptability that characterise our companies.

Portuguese companies are also developing partnerships with its clients helping them to integrate themselves into the globalization process. These collaborations have also been expanded its activities to achieve and develop areas of training and processes to reduce cycles (time-to-market).

If they move to other plants in the world, we believe that we should follow them trying to continue with the same methodology of the work that we have today. Of course this movement will bring new challenges to our companies and new skills. Also the costs as a result, will also be part of this new process. In this direction, the companies must adapt to this new business model.

The terms of payment are also changing in this industry and this situation is bringing new problems and difficulties to the companies. We know that this is not a unique problem for Portugal, it is something that is happening widely throughout Europe even in United States.

We believe that we should work together with our industry, even with our competitors, to respond to the demands of our customers and we should do so in different States and levels, both nationally and internationally.

We have customers all over the world and therefore must have companies around the world. We know that it is very difficult to create when we are talking about SMEs but in our opinion, there is only a solution: working with our partners.

With the creation of these partnerships and networks we can expand our offering, grow our value chain and exhibit a level of international competitiveness.

Moldista in Portugal industry has led to the development of a cluster that integrates cooperation and networking between companies, searching institutions and training centres. The flow of knowledge between workers helped the expansion of their qualifications, to expand the knowledge gained from companies or institutions specialized in the sector.

Innovation and technology move from company to company by creating a network of research and development that integrates Cefamol, Centimfe, universities and other institutions, and even extends to international institutions.

As a result, the Portuguese moldistas sector enjoys a unique competitive position in the international moldista industry.

The European Union is our most representative market, with more than 60% of our exports.