A technology-led approach and a commitment to quality

ANTONIO HENRIQUE RAMOS President of Adira

FROM its beginning almost half a century ago, the metalworks company Adira has given high priority to investing in a pioneering technology-led approach. It has always been concerned not just to perfect existing products for its customers but also to develop new ones.
“Companies look for what is best from the point of view of technology, as well as according to price,” says Antonio Henrique Ramos, the company’s President. “We believe we have been successful in ensuring high quality for our products at a price that is still attractive.”
Based in Porto, the company has three factories with state-of-the-art capabilities and laser technology. It manufactures a great variety of machines for sheet metal forming and produces tailor-made products ranging from precision engineered components to railway lines.
It has close ties with Oporto University, notably the Oporto Engineering Faculty. “These days we are also linked to the Engineering Faculty in Lisbon, which is helping us develop technically,” Mr. Ramos says.
Adira exports to countries throughout the world. “The Portuguese market is extremely small, so automatically we had to look towards exports.

IN DEMAND Adira’s competitiveness is demonstrated by the impressive roster of high-level clients it satisfies with its products

Foreign sales represent about 70 percent of our company’s business.
“This has meant that we had to keep up with the evolution of the main manufacturers of this type of equipment. Because we participated frequently in specialist fairs, we were able to see what sorts of developments were necessary for our products to be competitive.”

The United States has been Adira’s first or second export market for some years. “It’s a crucial market for us, both in terms of sales and because of the demands of the market itself,” says Mr. Ramos. “Being such a huge market, it obliges us to have the capacity to be able to compete with others.”
Adira’s competitiveness is demonstrated by its distinguished role call of clients, including Boeing, Lockheed, Air France, TAP Air Portugal, Alfa Laval, Ariston, Efacec, Motorola, Thyssen, Carrier, U.S. Navy, Auto Europa and the White House.
Over the next three years, the company aims to win an important share of the business in plate, as well as laser cutting machinery. “Laser technology is our prime focus in the short term,” Mr. Ramos says.
He adds: “More and more, what distinguishes products is the level of service. We are developing our ability to offer good service to the client, while at the same time concentrating on all possible productivity gains, in order to remain competitive in an ever more difficult market.”