今号では、同イベントの２日目に訪問したANTÓNIO SALGADO & CA（アントニオサルガド社）に焦点を当てる。同社は１９９８年に創業して以来、ホームテキスタイルの製造・販売を手掛けている。約80名の従業員をかかえ、ポルトガル北西部のブラガ県、ギマランイスを拠点に５０００平米の工場兼オフィスを構える。
10年程前同社は、売上の８割を自国で占めていた。金額にして約２００万ユーロ（約３億円）だったが、年々売上を増やし、現在は倍の４００万ユーロ（約６億円）に達した。鍵となったのは、顧客への緻密な個別対応力に加え、過去５年でグローバル化を推進した点にある。結果、現在はＥＵとアメリカへの販売が売上の大半を占めているという。さらなる飛躍の為、これまで手付かずだったアジア地域への進出を熱望している。
見学会はショールームからはじまり、同社のテキスタイルを使った最終製品の展示について説明を受けた。プリントはなくジャカード織に特化しており、ベッドリネンやスローズ、テーブルクロス、バスローブやクッションのキルト、パジャマ、カーテンなどに主に使われることが多いという。寝具方面での採用実績が豊富で、手触り加工に気をつかっているとした。事実、触り心地は大変柔らかなものだった。
また、同社の海外営業担当ソニア・フェルナンデズ氏がとりわけ強く訴求するポイントの１つに、サステナビリティがあった。製品だけでなく、操業にかかる電力の大部分を再生可能エネルギーで賄い、生産過程で生じるＣＯ２排出、水質汚濁のゼロ化を標榜するなど随所に強い環境意識が感じられた。
サステナブルファイバーの利用も積極的で、ネトル、パイナップル、バナナ、リヨセル、海藻繊維（シーセル）、ビスコース、リサイクルコットン、麻、紙、ミルク繊維など様々な天然繊維を取り入れている。染料も外注の力を借りてミネラルダイ等を採用しているという。
また、その後バックオフィスや製造現場の見学も行われた。発送前の製品の最終チェック工程の見学から始まり、実際にテキスタイルが紡績される様子も見学に盛り込まれた。工場には大型の織機が２０台近く存在し、奥には大型の自動キルティングマシンも２台あった。年間８００キロメートル近いファブリックを製造可能とのことで、メートル単位の小ロットから大量受注までこなすことができると同氏は自信を見せた。日本にもあまりなじみのないポルトガルのテキスタイルが日本をはじめアジアにどう浸透していくか、今後も注目していきたい。
In this edition, we make a feature of Antonio Salgado, the company we are taken to on the second day of Portugal Premium Experience.
Ever since the company was established in 1998, they have been producing and selling their original textile. Their factory and showroom are located in Guimaraes, Braga, Portugal, and its size is about 5000 sqm.
Though about 10 years ago, its domestic sales accounted for 80% of the total sales and the figures were about 2 million Euro (or about 300 million yen), the textile company has steadily increased its sales every year: Today, the figure reached as much as 4 million Euro (or 600 million yen).
The key to their success is their capability in producing products in accordance with customers’ demands and the unique quality that has been widely accepted in the global market.
As a result, sales in oversea countries (such as EU and United States) account for more than half of their total sales today. For further expansion, they are now enthusiastic about expanding their business in the Asian market, which has been left untouched so far.
Sonia Fernandes, an overseas sales representative, guided us through the company, starting with their showroom and we received a detailed explanation of final products which their textile was applied to.
The textile is specialized in jacquard, and they are mainly used for bedspreads, throws, tablecloths, bathrobes, quilt for cushions, pajamas, and curtains.
As they have many sales records in sleep products, they are confident that their original finishing can make final products pleasant to touch, which is one of their best advantages. In fact, all of the products showcased there felt very soft and smooth.
In her presentation, Sonia also emphasized that the company has given the first priority to “sustainability”. Not only their products, but also the process of manufacturing is eco-friendly, that is, most of their operation is covered by renewable energy and none of CO2 and contaminated water is ejected.
They also actively and intentionally adopt sustainable fiber, such as nettle, pineapple, banana, lyocell, seacell, viscose, recycled cotton, hemp, paper, and milk. Mineral dyeing has been also used and is said to be more eco-friendly than the conventional ones.
After seeing the showroom, we were then taken to their factory, where we saw about 20 of large looms, 1 warp machine, and 2 quilting machines. With the equipment, their annual production capacity has reached as much as about 800km of fabric a year.
Sonia also mentioned that the company could provide their products even if a customer wishes to have a large amount or by meter, adding that their flexibility is another advantage they are proud of.
Generally speaking, the Japanese market is not so familiar with textile born in Portugal, however, seeing their enthusiasm, we would like to closely watch how it will expand in the Asian market.