INTRODUCING OUR PORTUGAL FACILITY
| 02-02-2021
Bakker Natuursteen’s projects department shifted its focus to the production of natural stone ventilated façades in 2018. Subsequently, we decided it would be best to gain control of the various links of the entire production chain.
Our production chain comprises the worldwide sourcing of natural stone blocks, the processing of these blocks into cladding panels and the installation of the end product. In 2019, we acquired a stone factory in Pero Pinhiero, Portugal, to process the natural stone.
It was an old facility with outdated machinery and buildings, but the premises stretched out over a vast 15,000 m². Overall, it showed tremendous potential and we decided to take the plunge.
Upon completion of the acquisition we drew up a multi-annual plan to gradually transform the old facility into a state-of-the-art factory that meets all the appropriate standards. Some older machines were removed, while others were reconditioned. We also brought in new equipment to complete our production set-up. Our next step was to devise our ideal production line, which required us to modify the existing building in various ways.
We now have 14 staff members working in our Portuguese production facility. Together, they produce 500 m² cladding panels on average per week. But we still have a long way to go, and plans are in place to take the necessary steps. Our final objective for this company, that currently relies on Bakker Natuursteen for 90% of its orders, is to become an independent company that supplies materials to natural stone companies all over the world.
We are convinced that we can distinguish ourselves from other suppliers by providing cladding panels that are equipped with all features and anchor holes any specialised cladding system installer requires. As we ourselves work in this field, we have the expertise to satisfy any customer’s need.
Would you like to know what Bakker Natuursteen can do for you? Please get in touch with any request.