ARTIGO EM DESTAQUE / FEATURED ARTICLE
.31 | OUT./OCT.
promotional videos and advertisements in newspapers, magazines and at renowned fairs in the decoration sector. In 2015, the LUZZA website appears, www.luzza.com.pt, where we provide a digital catalog of the various companies.
Here comes the year 2020 that brought us a global pandemic, COVID-19, and with it the biggest challenge ever for the sector, lighting companies and the Association itself. Closed markets, canceled fairs, factories with production stopped, stores closed, workers in isolation or working from home and a falling economy. However, the resilience and fiber of our Members, who never gave up, led to the resumption of economic activity and the growth of exports.
Over these 25 years, four Presidents have been appointed:
1997-2003 President Mr. José Maria Ferreira – Toselite, Lda.
2003 - 2009 President Dra. Ilda Pires – Mário J. Pires, Lda.
2009 – 2019 President Mr. Modesto Castro – Fábrica Candeeiros M.A.F. Castro, S.A.
2019 - 2022 President Eng Silva Macieira – Begolux
Each of them dedicated their time and experience to the sector and the Association for the benefit of all Members. Each one contributed so that today Portuguese lighting is considered a seal of quality; everyone took Made in Portugal further.
Also our partners who have been on AIPI's side, since the beginning, are one of the great pillars of the Association, companies that believe in our potential and together we are able to offer our Members competitive advantages.
And because this Association would be nothing without its Members, I leave here a word of appreciation and thanks to all. Together we are ONE Association and together we go further. Members who are part of our Board, who participate in the many national and international actions that we organize, who confide their frustrations and ask us for help and who believe in all the work carried out.
A sector that since 2010 has doubled exports, which in 2021 reached 113 million euros, surpassing the pre-pandemic year of 2019. A sector that depended heavily on the domestic market and which is currently sought after by large global companies, including international decorators and architects and large hotel and restaurant chains.
Much has changed, but we hope that this maturity we have acquired so far will allow us to reach even higher flights in the years to come.