Viarco

Viarco - Indústria de Lápis, Lda.
Lda.
Predecessor Portugália
Founded 1907 (1907) (registered 1936)
Founder Manoel Vieira Araújo
Headquarters Aveiro, Portugal
Products Pencils, watercolours and other technical drawing instruments
Website www.viarco.pt

Viarco - Indústria de Lápis, Lda. is a Portuguese pencil manufacturer in São João da Madeira, Aveiro.[1] It's one of the oldest pencil manufacturers in Europe.

History

Origins

The origin of pencil manufacture in Portugal dates back to 1907. Counselor Figueiredo Faria and his French partner and engineer Jules Cacheux make the decision to build an industrial pencil-making unit called Vila Fé, Cacheux & Cª, also known as Portugália

However, despite Portugália's success, its economic activity was greatly affected by Portugal's entry into World War I beyond the Great Depression from 1929 to 1931.

A new beginning

The history of this Portuguese company had its turning point in 1931. Manoel Vieira de Araújo, an experienced industrialist in the headwear area and a notable entrepreneur from São João da Madeira [1], with the aim of expanding the company Vieira Araújo & Comopania, Lda, acquires the factory Portugália. Portugália was, to date, the only Portuguese pencil factory.

In 1936, the Viarco brand was registered, current name of the Portuguese company.

First decade

The management of the company was delivered to Antonio Vieira Araújo, son of Manoel Vieira Araújo. The objectives were to stimulate and renew this pencil-making industry.

Thus, the early years of the Viarco factory were dedicated to research, application of forms, renovation of facilities and improvement of production methods, in order to develop the manufacture of existing products as well as to extend the diversity of the manufacture of material.

In 1941, the factory facilities are moved from Vila do Conde, Porto to São João da Madeira, Aveiro. São João da Madeira was also the location of the headquarters of the company Vieira Araújo & Cª, Lda. Many employees of the Vila do Conde factory also made the decision to move to the new location of the industry.

Products

Viarco's factory manufactures various products ranging from office and school material to professional drawing and watercolouring material. It also makes personalized pencils for companies, museums and shops.

One of Viarco's most original products are its scented pencils, which include the collection Quintas e Jardins de Portugal ("Villas and gardens of Portugal"). Another example is Viarco's Art Graf collection.

See also

Notes and references

  1. ↑ "VIARCO - Company's History". VIARCO - Pencil Industry. Viarco - Indústria de Lápis, Lda. Archived from the original on November 16, 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
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