Riopele secures new clients by focusing on ‘full service’

Riopele's strategic move to vertically integrate all business areas, including R&D, Spinning, Dyeing, Twisting, Weaving, Finishing, and Private Label, is continuing to yield positive results. The Famalicão-based company is strengthening its position as a full-service textile manufacturing company, providing a comprehensive service from fabric design and production to clothing manufacturing. As a result, Riopele is poised for growth in 2023, following a 40% expansion in the last fiscal year, especially in more technical domains. This achievement stands out despite the challenging business landscape stemming from the economic slowdown of key international trading partners.

During the PCA (Professional Clothing Awards) conference hosted by ANIVEC (Portuguese Association of Clothing and Manufacturing), which brought together some of the most renowned professionals in the professional clothing sector in Portugal, José Alexandre Oliveira stated that ‘a significant portion of our internal focus has been directed towards technical and professional apparel.’

‘Diversification is crucial to reach a growing number of customers,’ noted Riopele’s Chairman. This comprehensive approach has been evident, for instance, in the mobility segment. In the professional segment, Riopele recently joined a consortium that developed the new camouflage for the Portuguese army.

‘Our clothing manufacturing department offers a specialised service, including design, pattern creation and sampling, fabric sourcing and finishing, cutting and sewing, quality control, and personalized delivery,’ emphasized José Alexandre Oliveira.

Currently, Riopele has a workforce of over 1000 employees and exports its entire production, either directly or indirectly, to more than 50 markets.