OUR HISTORY

 

1981 – 1994: The Foundations of Specialisation

Valinox was founded in 1981 in Macieira de Cambra by specialised technicians, with the mission of serving niche markets that demanded the highest quality, flexibility and competitiveness. The company focused on the design and construction of stainless steel equipment for the chemical, food and beverage industries.

In 1986, in order to meet industrial environmental control requirements, the Air Conditioning Division was created, which later, from 1990 onwards, expanded its activity to buildings and public works.

Sustained growth led the company to move to its current premises in the Farrapa Industrial Zone (19,000 m² of land, 3,500 m² of covered area) in 1994, a milestone in our history.

 

1996 – 2012: Expansion, Rigour and New Skills

This was a period of consolidation and a commitment to rigour and quality as distinguishing factors.

• 1996: Awarded the ‘Technical Innovation’ prize at the 11th Salon Internacional de Maquinaria Y Equipos para Bodegas y Embotellado, in Spain, for the Molinete Aspersor de Mostos, Limos model.

• 1997: Construction of a new factory building, increasing the covered area to 5,600 m² to meet orders for tall tanks and silos.

• 1998: Quality System Certification according to the NP EN ISO 9002 standard, a formal commitment to excellence.

• 2003: Update of the Quality Management System Certification to the NP EN ISO 9001:2000 standard.

• 2004: Installation of new machinery and obtaining of the Environmental Management System Certification according to the NP EN ISO 14001:1999 standard.

• 2005: Creation of the Electricity and Industrial Automation Division, offering more integrated solutions.

• 2007: Transformation into a public limited company, professionalising the management structure.

• 2009 – 2012: Development of R&D projects in partnership with the University of Minho and implementation of an internal Process Management System, modernising commercial and production operations.

 

2013 – 2018: The Internationalisation Phase

A decisive chapter in our history, with the opening and consolidation of new markets.

• 2013: Creation of the subsidiaries Valinox.FR (France) and Valinox.MZ (Mozambique), materialising an international expansion strategy.

• 2015: Strategic focus on higher value markets, with the closure of the French subsidiary and the establishment of a privileged partnership with SAUTER for building automation and centralised management.

• 2016: Achievement of the crucial ASME U-Stamp certification, which opened the doors to international markets for pressure vessels.

• 2017: The Air Conditioning Division evolved into the Mechanical and Technical Installations Division, broadening its scope of action.

• 2018: Completion of OHSAS 18001 certification (Occupational Health and Safety).

 

ISO 18001 

 

2019 – Present: Technological Acceleration and Sustained Leadership

The most recent phase of our journey is defined by robust and strategic investment in production capacity, cutting-edge technology and sustainability, consolidating our position as a benchmark.

• 2019: Investment in cutting-edge equipment: 3D cutting robot, 30 mm calender and automatic polishing station.

• 2020: Acquisition of advanced software for calculating pressures, finite elements and thermal loads.

• 2021: Migration to ISO 45001 and investment in sustainability with a 50 kW photovoltaic power plant for self-consumption.

• 2022-2024: Construction of a new factory building for the manufacture of large equipment (up to 100 tonnes and a working height of 27 metres), the biggest investment ever in our production capacity.

• 2023: Refurbishment of infrastructure to improve employee safety and investment in the development of large-capacity tubular heat exchangers, opening up a new business front.

• 2025: Renewal of management software and welding technology, preparing for the future.

 

 

Our journey is, and always will be, guided by an unwavering commitment to innovation, quality and sustained growth. We continue to invest continuously in modernising our production facilities and training our employees, looking to the future with ambition, always grounded in the rigour and seriousness that have defined us since day one.