Knitted Factory

Knitted Factory
Emplacement

Barcelos, Portugal

Date de fondation

1979

Effectif

101 - 79 femmes, 22 hommes

À propos

This company has been in business for more than four decades in Barcelos, in the north of Portugal. The founder of the company was a sewing machine technician, and his wife was a seamstress. The company started in 1979 in their garage and grew over the next couple of years, by moving into a building and expanding their team that at the time was made up of 15 employees. The business was running smoothly and progressing. They moved to new facilities and bought cutting edge technology machines and tools in order to produce for the most demanding clients. At this time, the market was mostly international.

Near the end of 1999, their son started working with his parents after finishing his studies at the university, and he is also still a member of the company today. His parents are now 70 and 72 years of age, and although they still go to the factory every day, all of the business is now managed by their son.


In February 2021, the company started the construction of new premises that will allow the production area to double and become more efficient; not only when it comes to productivity, but also by producing their own energy with the use of solar panels.


As a family-run company, their aim is to be a global business partner of fashion brands using their expertise and focus on ethical, social, and environmental responsibilities. In addition, they are committed and driven to providing their clients with the highest quality through creation of top quality garments. The company dedicates time to search and develop new materials, finishings, and accessories. They maintain awareness of new trends, techniques and, above all, new technologies that appear on the market, because their passion is to serve their customers.

Meet our factory workers

How long have you worked at the company?

My parents founded the company in 1979. Since I was a child I’ve been involved in the business, in the beginning most likely just annoying my parents since I was using the factory as my playground. Only at the end of 1999 I joined the team as an Assistant in the commercial department.

How did you start working with textile and garment production?

Ever since my goal was to join the team and help my parents to grow the business. After I graduated in Economics it was clear to me what the next steps would be like.

What is the most fun part of your job?

Apart from the contact with our team, the most fun part is to see products produced by us at the store and think about the entire process and people that made it happen.

What is your favorite item to make/produce?

I don’t have a favorite item. What I value is items that challenge us and lead us to try new processes. Sometimes we fail but always try again and again until we manage to finally get there. Thanks to our team, we are able to produce a huge range of products - we are not only a T-shirt or sweater producer. That is what I value the most.

Fun fact about yourself?

It is easy to make me laugh, and most of our colleagues too :)

What is it like to work with Djerf Avenue?

It has been a pleasure and quite easy to manage. The Djerf team performs a lot different from the usual standards where most of the times we are not seen as a partner.

Which is your favorite Djerf Avenue item?

Until now, the pajama set made in a fantastic fabric and lovely prints...but I would love to produce a Rufus Sweater ;)

What do you think is important to achieve a good working environment in a garment factory?

We don’t believe it’s possible to work anymore as it was in the past, producing large quantities and repeating the same tasks day by day under stress. Nowadays we perform a lot of different tasks during only one day or even one hour. The range of garments we produce requires all team members to be involved. Also, suggesting changes on production process in order to improve quality and/or reduce time of make - so either we have a good environment or it is impossible to have a good performance when we are not making only T-shirts or Sweaters.

What do you think is important to do to produce clothes with sustainability in mind?

As we are GOTS and OCS certified we don’t use any harmful substances. In fact, even before we were certified we were not using it. From a product point of view it is, in our opinion, very important to use good fabrics/accessories that will last longer and avoiding the fast fashion level in which a garment lasts less than one season.

What are your interest? What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love running and spending time at home with my three girls and Ollie, our Portuguese Water dog.

Something that you are proud of?

I’m proud of what we accomplished until now - it’s not much, I’m sure much more will come, but looking back I think we all made a great job. I’m just a small part of the chain, so most of all, I’m proud of our team performance.

How long have you worked as a seamstress?

20 years

How did you start working with textile and garment production?

Started working because I needed to and there was no other job offer at that time, but now it's become a passion of mine

What is the most fun part of your job?

The challenge of building pieces that I can see people wearing

What is your favorite item to make/produce?

From the moment I start, I like to do everything. But maybe the piece I like to make most is a dress

Fun fact about yourself?

I'm very playful

What are your interests? What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to spend time with my family

Something that you are proud of?

My children! I am proud of the work I do, because I put all my love and dedication into it!

How long have you worked as a sewing machine technician?

18 years, 17 of which here at this factory

How did you start working with textile and garment production?

Due to family influences, I always had a small clothing business

What is the most fun part of your job?

The most fun part is going to work and not knowing what I'm going to do. Just the fact of not doing the same thing is already fun

What is your favorite task?

I like everything I do, but being available to imagine something to try to improve production is very good if I succeed in the end

Fun fact about yourself?

It's being funny and telling a few jokes at the tightest and most stressed moment of work

What are your interests? What do you like to do in your spare time?

Geocaching, spending time with family, and traveling is my best hobby

Something that you are proud of?

I feel proud of the person I am, and the family I have

How long have you worked as a pattern maker?

I have worked as a pattern maker for 23 years

How did you start working with textile and garment production?

I always had an interest in fashion so I started by taking a modeling course and the area where I live has a lot of job offers

What is the most fun part of your job?

The most fun part of my job is being able to keep up with fashion trends and apply my modeling knowledge to help create the effect the client wants

What is your favorite item to make/produce?

The article that I like to make the most is the dress and it is also my favorite

Fun fact about yourself?

I like to say some jokes

What are your interests? What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to go for walks. In my free time I like to read and spend time with my family

Something that you are proud of?

I am proud of the family that has always supported me to be professionally successful

How long have you worked as a quality controller?

I have worked for this company for 40 years, but as a quality controller for 35 years

How did you start working with textile and garment production?

I chose the textile sector because it was something I always liked and over the years my passion has grown

What is the most fun part of your job?

The most fun part of my job is when a problem arises and we, as a team, manage to solve it in a relaxed and very efficient way

What is your favorite item to control?

In general, I like to control all kinds of pieces, but the dresses, because they have more details, are what I like the most

Fun fact about yourself?

It is easy to make me laugh

What are your interests? What do you like to do in your spare time?

I go for walks daily. In addition to my walks, I like to be with my family and my dogs

Something that you are proud of?

On a personal level, my son is my pride. On a professional level, I am proud of the role I play at this company

How long have you worked as a seamstress?

For 43 years

How did you start working with textile and garment production?

When I finished school, at that time I knew Mr. João who lived in the same village and had just opened the company so I decided to work with there, because at the time there weren't many other job options

What is the most fun part of your job?

Knowing how to build the pieces and accepting the challenge of making them and knowing their usefulness and quality. And also go to a store or go down the street and see someone wearing a piece I mad

What is your favorite item to make/produce?

The most elaborate pieces are the most challenging, but I like to make all kinds of pieces from a basic t-shirt to a very elaborate dress

Fun fact about yourself?

I'm a little clumsy and sometimes I make others laugh

What are your interests? What do you like to do in your spare time?

I don't have a hobby, but I really like to spend my free time playing and enjoying time with my grandson and my family

Something that you are proud of?

I'm proud of my family of course! And also of this second work family to which I belong and dedicate most of my time and life to, and for which I have enormous respect

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