On the last working day of 2016, it is time to make an annual balance of the year that now ends, preparing the field for another year of hard work, dedication, and commitment. Carla Moreira, CEO and founder of Arfai, makes this analysis speaking about the ups and downs of the year.
Looking back over the past 12 months, what are your main toughts?
2016 was a year of continuous development, both for internal projects and for private label, which caused a huge amount of work for modeling and design and so some production constraints.
Nevertheless, my balance is positive. Although it had been a year of some difficulties felt in specific areas, the truth is we always knew how to overcome the challenges we have faced during the last 20 years, and so, once again, we managed to work on these difficulties being now able of saying we are stronger and better prepared to face the future.
As CEO, which moments would you elect as the most outstanding of the year?
Personally, I become easily delighted with the new collections our team creates to present at Ambiente Fair, each February, in Frankfurt, because, despite of so many years observing new projects being born, this is something that keeps surprising me. Also, I would nominate the challenges I managed to overcome when we decided to introduce new raw materials in our production – as decorative earthenware.
To be able to inaugurate a new canteen with capacity for 100 persons, with all the necessary facilities was one other important step this year – this was a necessary investment and the one that personally makes me happy once it contributes to the improvement of our working conditions.
And what were the moments you will not miss?
The execution of new projects went quite well, proving our technical capabilities and allowing us to conclude we are capable of producing any projects that may shown to us. Of course, with so many development work going on, our spending with R&D were significantly higher than in previous years and happened in a period where we were almost exclusively working for new projects, disturbing the normal production.
What is your main wish for 2017?
I wish we may keep growing, I wish that our spirit will keep being open to change, to permanent innovation what will certainly take us to many new projects. I wish I may keep investing in the company buildings, namely in the conclusion of the factory restoration project and in the creation of some new offices for samplings, for medical support to the workers and others. I wish I may keep investing in the people who make this team I cherish and I admire so much, once they are what Arfai has of more importance – this is my way of living, attested by the action I have been showing throughout the years.
And finally, in 2016, what was the piece you like the most?
Our Swallow is, without doubt, my favorite piece. I took many years to understand the path I should create to work on the relationship between ARFAI and IGM and many years to understand it was time for changing – with a new look, a renewed identity. For me Arfai Swallow represents change and the trace of a new route symbolized by a bird that has so much to do with “Portugality”, with the return home and with the passion of what we are as a company.
