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As part of the celebrations for Riopele’s centenary in 2027, we are launching the series “Stories Worth Telling” — a heartfelt tribute to those who truly built our most valuable legacy: People.
Over nearly a century, we’ve gathered countless stories of dedication, growth, and resilience. That’s why we want to give voice to these personal experiences, inviting our employees to share their testimonies, memories, and lived moments at the company. This will be a series of reflections that embody our values, the legacy we’ve built, and the spirit that has guided Riopele for nearly 100 years.
In this first episode, we share the story of José Carlos Ortigão, Sales Manager for the German market, who has been with Riopele for 22 years.
What was your first day at Riopele like?
Regarding my start at Riopele, I have an interesting story to tell.
I officially joined Riopele on October 6, 2003, although I was invited to attend the Première Vision trade fair in September — before I had even begun working.
As a newcomer, I went without much technical preparation, which made the experience even more challenging. It was incredibly stimulating and something I will never forget, because I had the opportunity to engage directly with clients and the product even before officially starting. It was an excellent decision by Riopele to offer me this enriching experience, which allowed me to quickly understand the inner workings of this business.
Is there a moment or situation you’ll never forget?
Yes, I fondly remember the gatherings with the agents when they visited us for the collection presentations.
Whenever our agents came, they usually stayed for two or three days to get to know the new collection, prepare for trade shows, or discuss their respective markets. We would organize a football match followed by a dinner.
These were great moments of connection that contributed significantly to strengthening both personal and professional relationships. They were always very enriching experiences, not only because of the atmosphere of complicity, but also because of the results we were able to achieve through that team spirit.
Is there someone who made a lasting impact on your journey at the company?
After more than 20 years at Riopele, it’s only natural that I’ve met many people who left a mark on me, both professionally and personally — and I’ve had the opportunity to build lifelong friendships. However, I’d like to highlight two individuals, at different moments in time, who had a significant personal impact on me and played key roles in shaping Riopele’s destiny.
The first is Niki Bosch, a visionary who revolutionized Riopele in many ways — from the product itself, to opening up new clients and markets, and even transforming the company’s image. Thanks to him, we shifted from a more traditional identity to one aligned with the fashion world, which definitively changed our market positioning.
The second is our current President, Dr. José Alexandre Oliveira. He had the courage, vision, and boldness to take over the company during a very challenging period — right after the subprime crisis, when the entire portuguese economy was facing tremendous difficulties. In just over a decade, he repositioned Riopele as a benchmark in the European textile industry, admired and praised by both clients and business partners.
On a personal level, what achievement or project are you most proud of?
I’m very proud to have helped establish the German market as a strategic reference point for Riopele.
I also take great pride in the image we project externally — the feedback from clients is consistently positive, and they often praise our company.
Riopele is very highly rated on the international textile scene and I, with my small contribution, am very proud of that.
What makes Riopele different from other companies?
Riopele brings together a rare combination of qualities: it’s a family-owned, European, and vertically integrated company that has managed — very intelligently — to balance tradition with innovation. And that, in my view, makes all the difference.
If you had to describe Riopele in one word, what would it be?
It’s hard to pick just one, so I’ll choose two: reliability and trust.
