+
back to news
Do you still remember your first day at Riopele? How was that day?
Yes, I remember it perfectly. It was an intensely lived day. I recall visiting the factory, meeting my colleagues… I ended the day with the clear feeling that I had made the right choice.
Having been at Riopele for 37 years, in your view, how has the company evolved over the past decades?
It’s been almost four decades of major evolution, which I would sum up in three words: communication, technology, and digitalization. This is evident, for example, in terms of equipment — today we have more complex, faster machines with greater capacity to meet our clients’ needs.
Digital transformation had a huge impact on Riopele. When I started working here 37 years ago, I used to draw and define the fabric structure on paper; today, we do everything with the help of software. We are faster and more efficient.
There has also been a significant change in raw materials. We moved from the traditional polyester/viscose blend, dyed in mass and piece-dyed, to what became Riopele’s great differentiator: yarn dyeing. We introduced elastane into our yarns and fabrics, invested in cotton and wool fibers — especially from 1996 onwards — and today we develop fabrics with all types of fibers and yarn typologies. We have a wealth of innovations and create a wide variety of new fabrics for our clients.
But the evolution was not only technological and digital. We grew a lot as a team. Today there is greater communication and interaction between all areas, especially with production. Development is only possible when there is true teamwork — and it was from the 2000s onwards that this collaboration between departments became more solid and structured, marking a new stage in the company’s history.
Has there been someone who particularly influenced you? And is there a project you are especially proud of?
Yes, Engineer Albertina Reis. Not only for her professionalism and everything she taught me, but also as a person and a friend.
Throughout this journey, I embraced several projects and challenges in my role, but there is one that I highlight and that makes me especially proud of the contribution I gave — and continue to give: the project with Inditex.
The whole way of thinking and structuring of this client is perfectly aligned with my spirit — the dynamic of responding quickly and assertively, at a breathtaking pace. To keep up with this rhythm, it is necessary to involve the entire verticality of Riopele’s process: communicating with all areas, streamlining processes, interpreting colors, finishes…
It is a demanding job, but one that gives me — and continues to give me — enormous satisfaction. There is a true feeling of mission accomplished, materialized in orders and positive results for Riopele.
As you approach retirement, after so many years in the company, what message would you like to leave to the new generations now joining Riopele?
The new generations arrive with different skills, particularly at the digital level, which fits more and more with today’s Riopele — and that is very positive. But, in my opinion, it is not enough. In this industry, learning and building knowledge are vital to achieving good results.
It is essential to start by liking what you do, to feel passion and emotion for the business and the activity. And, since in this field things are not always easy, I strongly recommend embracing challenges wholeheartedly, with courage, to believe, to commit. Riopele is a true school, where it is possible to grow and evolve.
All of this takes time to build, so giving up cannot be an option. It is important not to forget that Riopele is about to celebrate 100 years of a rich history — in people, fabrics, and knowledge — something very rare to find in the global textile world. So take this opportunity, get involved, and help renew Riopele’s spirit.
If you had to describe Riopele in one word, what would it be?
It’s hard to choose just one… I would say: Innovation, Different, Survivor.
