Back from holidays, Arfai is proud to present its new facade. A special moment that is already a milestone in the company’s recent history, once it symbolizes the end of an investment’s plan that counted 4 years of changes and almost one million euro. We spoke with Carla Moreira, the company’s CEO, who dreamt this project, that aimed to build a better and more productive Arfai – the Arfai of the future.

We know this moment is quite special for you – how do you describe it?

The change of both Arfai’s visual identity and physical facilities were in my horizon for many years. Once both changes would represent high financial investments, I had to phase them in time – this is then a longtime dream coming true. Arfai is the apple of my eye, and I have never hidden that my biggest goal was not to have bigger but better facilities, as well as the best ones to produce and work.

The facade is only “the face” of a whole investment plan that took four years to materialize. What were the main changes?

Many things changed, but I would say that in one million euros spent in 2014/2015/2016 and 2017, the highest investments were in land acquisition, in resizing the Waste Water Treatment Plan, in coating the building exterior walls, acquiring industrial equipment, remodeling the façade to create new spaces – samples room, medical offices, canine – rebuilding the showroom and, finally, renovating the company’s fleet, that was almost 20 years old. Besides the manufacturing unit, also in organizational terms, we have performed significant changes – acquiring new management software and improving in the qualified areas as sales and marketing. The latest investment took place during the month of August and it was the most difficult and slowest work of all – the replacement of the whole ceiling.

Those who know you, know that you defend that people are the most valuable capital. In concrete terms, how will these works impact the working conditions of Arfai employees?

I believe people are happier if their environment promotes so. The workplace and the people around us are fundamental to contribute positively or negatively to our happiness. This is where we spend a great part of our lives, and I do not doubt that one employee who likes his/her workplace is a motivated worker, happier and consequently more profitable. I do believe that a new canteen, wider and with all the conveniences to rest, read or watch the news, or even the new exterior parks, provide such a break in the working day that will certainly motivate the employee to work more and better during the afternoon, after lunch time.

On the other hand, the roof of the factory. With 23 years old, the ceiling did not offer any thermal condition – from now on, the new ceiling will allow fresher days in the summer and warmer days in winter.

And what about the production? With an annual production capacity counting over half a million pieces, will Arfai be capable of producing even more pieces?

Yes, it surely will. The previous ceiling was old and damaged, many times causing the contamination of pieces with particles of dust, in its turn responsible for a high waste in the production. Also, with new industrial equipment, namely in the glazing section, we are sure we will have more capacity, more quality, and less waste.

Do you have plans for the future? How do you plan to keep improving and modernizing Arfai?

I just need to be healthy and have loads of work because I do not lack ideas for the future. With the main structural investments done, we will keep improving through maintenance and lower-value works. Between 2018-2020, my biggest aim is to improve the R&D department, invest in professional training of the workers and increase the energy efficiency of the facilities and equipment – never neglecting the working conditions, that will always be the core priority at Arfai. I am not happy without plans. If I do not have them I have to invent them. I am with my eyes in 2020 and my feet on the ground, surrounded by an unstoppable team.