| Producing in Portugal: a friend in need is a friend indeed | So you want to move your production to Portugal. Or you just did, because it felt right, because your gut told you to, or just because someone you really respect has this little sunny country as a business partner. Either way, and whatever your reasons were, you’re going to bump into that sceptical friend who asks question after question without ever being satisfied — that’s just how humans work. But don’t worry, we got your answers (full service means full service, right?), so you can flex at whatever direction you’re getting hit by curiosity. You’re welcome. |
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1 Isn’t Portugal absolutely tiny? How can you guarantee a quick response to large orders? | Well, you know, Google is your friend. A quick search and you’ll find that Portugal exports 80 million pairs of footwear to the world every single year — this means that 95% of its production goes to 172 countries. They have one of the most reputed footwear clusters in the world and, because of its location, you get both fast tracks to Central Europe, and the vast Atlantic coast favours long-distance commercial operations. |
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| 2 Ok, yeah, maybe I should have known that. So they produce a lot. But is it any good? | .Good? Oh, friend. You’re in for a treat. You have more than 1 100 companies in Portugal. This means 36 000 workers. And many of them follow the footsteps — pun intended — of their fathers or mothers, grandfathers or grandmothers, and so on. Know-how is passed from generation to generation, just like delicacy, talent, passion and great great pride at what they do. |
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4 Even if we’re talking leather? Especially leather goods. You just hit the spot. You see, when you come from a traditionally small economy, you just have to learn to make products that will last you a lifetime, because they had to. And even if Portugal grew at a fast pace in recent decades, the know-how stuck with them. You have hundreds of component companies, tanneries and leather goods where technology meets craftsmanship. It’s just a sight for sore eyes. |
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| 5 You're talking so much about tradition that what you mean is that if I want to modernise my production, I have to look elsewhere? | You're talking so much about tradition that what you mean is that if I want to modernise my production, I have to look elsewhere? |
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| | Ok, that actually sounds good. But I think I got you: they’re boring. They’re doers, but there’s no spark, no creativity. I’m right, aren’t I? | Friend, if that’s what you heard, you need to check your sources. Portugal is blooming with creatives, be it Fashion Designers, Set Designers, Product Designers, Photographers, Stylists, Production Companies, Writers, Artistic Directors, you name it. When you live in a small country, you really have to find creative ways to get your voice out there. And if the industry is modernising, this means it’s opening its doors to a new way of thinking, designing and communicating. It’s the time to be there, I tell you. | 
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| But you're avoiding the topic of sustainability...They’re not even thinking about it yet? | How can you be a part of the EU and not think about Sustainability? How can you be a part of the world and not change your business to make it a better place? They’re way ahead of you. Over the next three years, the industry will invest more than 130 million euros in transitioning to a fairer practice. Heard about Bioshoes4all? Look it up. It’s already developing a whole new generation of products. |
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| That sounds expensive... | Oh, you mean fair? Come on, you won’t find a better quality/price ratio, I can guarantee you that. And don’t be cheap: you’re talking about a country that pays its employees a fair wage, gives them workplace safety and ensures they live happy and fulfilled. |
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| Know-how, tech, sustainability. That sounds a lot. Which one of them got to you?They’re not even thinking about it yet? | The whole mix, I guess. I heard the Footwear Cluster in Portugal had recently launched its Strategic Plan for the next decade, and it just sounded right. I mean, they want to make Portugal "an international reference in the footwear industry and to reinforce Portuguese exports, virtuously combining sophistication and creativity with productive efficiency, based on technological development and management of the international value chain, thus guaranteeing the future of a national productive base, sustainable and highly competitive”. Doesn’t that sound good to you? | 
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| Yeah. You can stop me know... | Yeah, so, I’m booking my flight. You can stop now. You got me. Lisbon? Sure! You can go there for a crazy night or a chill weekend. But if you want to get straight to business, fly to Porto — the Footwear Cluster is located within a 50 km radius from the city. Ever heard of Francesinha? |
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| There's a catch. I can fell it. It's top good to be true What is it? Unsafe? The people are awful? No public transportation? Bad weather? There must be something?Which one of them got to you?They’re not even thinking about it yet? | Nope. Sorry. According to Forbes, Portugal is one of the 20 safest countries in the world to do business. The people are nice, the weather is perfect, the country is gorgeous and the food… oh, man, the food. Maybe the only catch is cholesterol. | 
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