Foreign markets are a priority for Solpré. The footwear components company from Felgueiras already exports over 35% of its total sales. "This figure, when we’re talking about components, which is a subsector of the footwear industry, is quite a difficult target to achieve, since proximity to the supply chain is usually a key element in the decision of brands and manufacturers”, explains Alexandre Pimenta.
"Direct exports have been one of our main growth drivers. As we know, demand for prefabricated soles in Portugal is substantially lower than for injected soles, so we had to turn to international markets if we wanted to increase our turnover”, says the responsible for Solpré. "Our goal is to consolidate the percentage in the long term, so that reaches at least always over 30%”.
The Felgueiras-based company specializes in the production of prefabricated soles, but has also implemented the production of other types of components, which allows it to respond more quickly to customer requests.
But what sets the company apart in a highly competitive market? "I think it’s above all consistency. I think the vertical service we provide from development to production is one of our greatest competitive advantages. I believe in fact it’s the watchword in the Portuguese footwear market, and we want to be a benchmark at this level. This verticalization conveys a message of great exclusivity and trust because we have internalised practically all the operations that relate to the manufacture of soles”, he adds.
Alexandre Pimenta looks at the markets "with some apprehension. 2022 was a very atypical year and all the variable circumstances, which need not be repeated, contributed to a significant slowdown in the main Portuguese footwear markets. Of course, it’s very important to segment the type of customer to have a better idea of the type of product most affected”.
"In our case, we felt a slight drop, as compared to the same period of last year, but more specifically in the segment we work in we have seen a positive reaction from some markets, which we hope will remain constant”.
Solpré participated, for the first time, in Lineapelle, "mostly, to reinforce our image and position in the markets we already work in. Fortunately, we have some of the world’s leading footwear groups as partners, and we think it’s important to have this visibility, but above all to support Portuguese manufacturers who, for several reasons, don't always have the time to analyse the value proposition of companies like Solpré, and I believe that’s the great benefit of this type of fair”.
Solpré participated, for the first time, in Lineapelle, "mostly, to reinforce our image and position in the markets we already work in. Fortunately, we have some of the world’s leading footwear groups as partners, and we think it’s important to have this visibility, but above all to support Portuguese manufacturers who, for several reasons, don't always have the time to analyse the value proposition of companies like Solpré, and I believe that’s the great benefit of this type of fair”.
New Environmental Certification
And because sustainability is one of the company's cornerstones, Solpré has just obtained the Global Recycled Standard (GRS 4.0) certification, thus validating its commitment to the circular economy and recycled materials. Already certified in 2005 by the NP EN 9001:2000 standard, in 2021, the company also certified its environmental management system (NP EN ISO 14001:2015) and, in 2022, obtained FSC® certification.
GRS 4.0 certification is a globally recognised standard that assesses the companies’ compliance with the production, traceability, and authenticity of products made with recycled materials. In order to obtain it, Solpré underwent a rigorous assessment process to ensure compliance with the demanding requirements of the standard, counting on the technical support of CTCP.
The company from Felgueiras has more than 23 years of experience in the production of footwear soles, and is increasingly committed to sustainability. This new certification is proof of that and demonstrates Solpré’s commitment to sustainability and environmental production, in line with global environmental management policies. If, on the one hand, this certification strengthens consumer confidence, since customers are progressively concerned about the origin and environmental impact of the products they buy, on the other hand, it can open doors to new markets and partnerships, since many companies and organizations are increasingly looking for suppliers who are aligned with more sustainable practices.
In this way, the company is actively contributing to a more circular economy, reducing the waste of resources and minimising the environmental impact of its products. This type of initiative benefits not only the company, but also the entire planet.
Founded in 1988, Solpré is based in Felgueiras and has around 80 employees dedicated to the production of prefabricated and injected soles.
