Fábrica de Calçado da Mata, a company founded in 1988 and specialising in the production of medium/high quality men’s shoes, has just had its environmental management system certified.  The company has taken another important step in its sustainability journey, with the US on the horizon.  

The company, which exports almost all its production (the equivalent of 7 million euros) mainly to European markets, is now looking to penetrate the world’s largest market. “Given its size and the characteristics of our products, it’s a natural market”, says Rui Oliveira, the company’s managing director.

The decision to invest in this environmental certification reflects, according to Rui Oliveira, “not only the company’s commitment to environmental protection, but also its strategic vision to position itself as a preferred partner in a global market increasingly aware of environmental issues”.

On a global level, Mata is looking for “a competitive advantage in the global market, where environmental concerns are playing an increasing role in the choice of commercial partners”. On the other hand, “the anticipation of demand from some customers for certified companies highlights the need to adapt to market demands”.

According to Rui Oliveira, “Mata has been able to identify in detail the practices and materials that have the greatest impact on the environment, allowing more sustainable solutions to be developed”. In addition, “employee awareness has increased, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and environmental responsibility in all areas of the company”.

For Fábrica de Calçado da Mata, this certification is more than just a seal of quality; it marks a new phase in the company’s life. “This certification gives the company an important competitive advantage, allowing it to position itself in the higher value-added market. It also provides a whole range of information about the environmental impact of our production processes, which will serve to underpin our ESG profile, a tool that will be crucial soon in terms of relations with all the company’s partners”, argues the Managing Director of Mata.  

“The fact that each employee realises that his or her attitude contributes daily to the maintenance and improvement of the entire environmental system increases the level of responsibility and cohesion of the entire workforce”, he concludes.