Portugal Business News interviewed Portuguese textile company Skypro, that ranks among Europe’s Fastest Growing Companies, and that registered a turnover of 8.7 million euros, representing a 1000% growth, from 2013 to 2023.
This is the Skypro tip for entrepreneurs who want to venture into the startup world in the textile industry in Portugal: “There is room for companies that can bring innovative solutions to the market, focusing on areas like eco-design, new clothing products based on more sustainable fibers or a higher percentage of recycled raw materials, and new circular business models,” according to Ricardo Silva, Sustainability Director, Skypro.
1) Please tell us about Portuguese textile company Skypro.
SKYPRO is much more than a textile company. We are a global leader brand in the uniform industry, renowned for its premium high-quality garments and travel footwear, as recognized by Forbes and its inclusion in the Financial Times' "FT 1000 Europe’s Fastest Growing Companies." Our prestigious clientele includes major players such as Emirates, NetJets, Norse Airways, Flair, Royal Air Maroc, Crown Airlines, TAP, Qatar Airways, and the Swedish Police, among others.
SKYPRO offers end-to-end uniform solutions worldwide, including design, sampling, development, production, uniform digital management (mySKYPRO), and sustainable services (ecodesign, sustainable materials, Reuse, Repair Recycling) to match UN Sustainability Goals and reduce the environmental footprint of uniforms.
Throughout its journey, SKYPRO has consistently demonstrated innovation and rapid expansion. In 2023, the company achieved remarkable milestones, including unprecedented revenue growth, a threefold increase in its workforce, the pioneering launching of Circular Uniform Services and contract agreements with industry giants like Emirates and NetJets.
2) Can you tell us more about sustainability reporting and what the EU guidelines mean for Skypro?
Sustainability reporting recently became mandatory for large companies in Europe. For SMEs, a Voluntary European Sustainability Reporting Standard is under discussion, and the European Commission forecasts its publication by the end of 2024. Nevertheless, under the SKYPRO Strategy for Sustainability and Circularity of Uniforms, we published the 2023 ESG Report ahead of schedule, becoming the first company in the textile market to do so, according to the new EU’s guidelines. This reflects our genuine commitment to being the most competent uniform company in innovation and sustainability.
3) What are your impressions of the textile industry in Portugal?
In Portugal, there are very important and well-known textile clusters that excel in innovation, development, and production. These clusters allow SKYPRO to access a network of experts, textile Universities, Technical Institutes, testing laboratories, experienced workers, textile designers, innovative technologies and a complete and dynamic textile value chain, enabling us to develop the best garments, with high-quality standards, with lowest environmental impact and including the latest technological innovations.
4) What are the challenges and opportunities facing the textile industry in Portugal?
The Portuguese textile industry faces significant challenges due to current global instability, geopolitical conflicts, supply chain disruptions, and even climate change. However, these challenges can become opportunities through solutions that introduce circular business models and more efficient processes to reduce carbon footprint, energy, and water consumption. This is particularly relevant in the context of the European Commission's strategy for the reindustrialization of Europe, which promotes clean technologies. This scenario provides a differentiation factor compared to Asian competitors.
5) Is it easy to find investors for companies operating in the textile industry in Portugal? Did Skypro have investment rounds?
In Portugal, the number of major investors is limited, and especially for traditional sectors as the textile industry. Despite this, SKYPRO, due to its exceptional results, has already secured its first round of external investments in the past and is currently in the process of a second investment round, that will occur in the second half of 2024.
6) What is the turnover, growth, and number of employees of Skypro?
SKYPRO currently has 33 employees, most of whom are graduates and highly qualified in Information Technologies, Textile Engineering, Textile Design, Materials Engineering, Logistics, and other fields. In 2023, the company had a turnover of 8.7 million euros, representing a 1000% growth from 2013 to 2023. This is a remarkable achievement, especially considering the challenges posed by the pandemic during this period.
7) Is Skypro currently hiring, and what positions are most in demand in the textile industry?
Yes, SKYPRO continues its expansion and growth strategy and is actively recruiting in various areas, including Operations and Logistics, Product Development, IT programmers and Developers and International Sales experts.
8) What are your partnerships within the textile industry in Portugal and overseas?
SKYPRO has well-established and consolidated partnerships both in Portugal and overseas, in areas such as textiles, footwear, accessories, luggage, and more. Each partner specializes in specific products, divided by production areas like tailoring, shirting, workwear, hats and caps, apparel accessories, shoes, belts, wallets, and bags. Also, there are strong partnerships with logistics partners to manage uniform stocks, forecasting, picking and packing and shipments. Additionally, we have strategic and pioneering partnerships in the textile sector to operate our circular services, including partners for uniform hygienization under our reuse service and automatic garment separation, spinning, and weaving companies under the recycling service.
9) What are your future plans for the internationalization of Skypro?
SKYPRO has its headquarters in Portugal and offices in Dubai and Atlanta to support its local clients in the Middle East and North America. The internationalization plans for SKYPRO are advancing through a network of local agents in countries such as Germany and France, and in the short term, Benelux and Scandinavia.
10) Do you have any advice for people who want to venture into the startup world in the textile industry in Portugal?
The textile industry is a traditional sector that requires extensive technical knowledge, a broad network of contacts within the value chain, and experienced technical resources. These are mandatory requirements for a startup to initiate activities in this sector. However, there is room for companies that can bring innovative solutions to the market, focusing on areas like eco-design, new clothing products based on more sustainable fibers or a higher percentage of recycled raw materials, and new circular business models.
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