Portuguese supplier opens new factory

Dimpomar-Rochas Portuguesas Lda. of Vila Vicosa, Portugal, opened a second fabrication facility in November of 2007 to better serve its clients. Among new equipment in the plant is a Levibreton KFT slab polishing line.


Since it first opened its doors for business in 1980, Dimpomar-Rochas Portuguesas Lda. of Vila Vicosa, Portugal, has continually expanded its brand. Initially starting out with only eight workers, the company now employs a staff of 77 - with six people recently hired to accommodate the demands of a second fabrication plant and a new warehouse.

“In November of 2007, we opened a new facility in Vila Vicosa with a new line for polishing slabs,” said Pedro Cabral, Sales Manager. The new factory, which encompasses 18,000 square feet, is located near Dimpomar’s first 45,000-square-foot fabrication plant. Luis Sousa, company owner, had made the decision long ago to set up production in the countryside near the quarries instead of near the city of Lisbon, which is a popular area for other Portuguese stone manufacturers.

The new factory is equipped with a LeviBreton KFT slab polishing line from Breton S.p.A. of Castello di Godego, Italy. The company also invested in a new Pedrini bridge saw with two working tables from Pedrini S.p.A. of Carobbio degli Angeli, Italy.

“We felt an increasing demand for polishing slabs and the necessity of improving our delivery time for random slabs,” said Cabral, when explaining why Dimpomar opened the new facility.

The new warehouse, which is called Tons de Pedra and managed by Margarida Sousa, was established to house imported materials, according to Cabral. The 20,000-square-foot structure is located in Pêro Pinheiro - approximately 20 minutes outside of Lisbon. “With the Tons de Pedra warehouse, we created the opportunity to supply local fabricators with over 100 imported stones as well as giving new opportunities to all of our clients all over the world,” said Cabral.

A total of 85% of Dimpomar’s products are exported to about 45 countries. The U.S. has always been a prevalent market for the company, with it currently comprising 30% of its sales. The Middle East, Europe and the Far East are also strong markets for Dimpomar, with each making up 20% of its business.

The company has supplied material for both residential and commercial projects in the U.S. Its most recent work includes a private upscale residence in Kings Point, NY, the LIRR-Atlantic Terminal Concourse Level in New York City, and Simmons College in Boston, MA. At the time of press, the company was fabricating 65,000 square feet of five types of Portuguese limestone to be used in the design of the new Bergen Town Center shopping mall in Paramus, NJ.

To maintain a reputable name for itself by satisfying its market demand, Dimpomar continually works to offer new products and services. Among its newest products available are Bauvale limestone and Cream de Mós limestone - extracted from its own quarries in Portugal. “We want to keep growing and giving the best selection and service to our clients,” said Cabral.     

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Jenniferadamsphoto

Jennifer Adams has been covering the stone industry since 1996 as Managing Editor of Stone World and Editor of our sister publication Contemporary Stone & Tile Design. Much of her work focuses on design, and it has also appeared in a range of consumer and shelter publications. Email:  jennifer@stoneworld.com

 

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