The plastic mould industry began in 1943 in Marinha Grande, in a small mould company, on the initiative of Aníbal H. Abrantes, but without the agreement of his partner and brother Aires Roque, who therefore sold his stake in the company and continued his activity in the glass industry. Two years later, Abrantes produced the first injection mould for plastic.
Following this, other companies producing moulds for plastics began to establish themselves in the cities of Marinha Grande and Oliveira de Azeméis, another traditional centre of the glass industry. The industry developed with the importation of foreign technology and, in 1955, exports began with the sale of the first moulds to Great Britain. By 1980, the industry was already exporting to more than 50 countries and in the Marinha Grande area alone there were 54 companies in operation, employing around 2,000 people.
The future of this industry is assured through its technological development, proper production planning and quality control, constant modernisation of the equipment in use and investment in professional training.
The reciprocal transmission of data related to the design and production of moulds, the result of the excellent IT support currently available in Portuguese industry, has strengthened the customer/supplier relationship.
Portuguese mould companies have been developing expertise in specific areas. Some work only with cavities or mould bases, polishing, large moulds and others with higher precision moulds.
Over the years, Portuguese industry has been investing in the qualification and specialisation of professional technicians. Specialised institutes have concentrated in Marinha Grande and Oliveira de Azeméis, highlighting the desire of Portuguese mould companies to join forces in pursuit of a common goal. An example of these efforts is the promotion of the sector's image abroad, developed through CEFAMOL - National Association of the Mould Industry.
The progress and cutting-edge nature of this industry is due not only to its solid experience and know-how, but also to its compliance with delivery deadlines, rigorous quality control, high level of experience, competitiveness and investment in high technology, factors that ensure the continued supply of Portuguese moulds to the most demanding markets in the world.
