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Another edition of The London Textile Fair began this Tuesday at the Business Design Centre, featuring Portuguese companies LEMAR, LMA, Albano Morgado, and JOF, participating as part of the joint initiative organized by ATP under the Sustainable Textile & Apparel From PORTUGAL project.
The first day saw a positive turnout. At LEMAR, Flávio Dias told T Jornal that visitors “come looking for specific items,” particularly within the sustainable range, such as fabrics made from recycled and biodegradable yarns. He expressed optimism for the second day of the fair, highlighting the focus and clarity with which clients know what they are seeking.
JOF also experienced a busy start. According to Rui Pedro Freitas, visitors are impressed by the diversity and competitive pricing of the company’s sustainable labels. Among the novelties, he highlighted paper labels, which offer the same durability as synthetic materials or genuine leather and perform well in washing, even at high temperatures.
Attendance has been mostly British professionals, but with Asian and French visitors as well. Rui Pedro Freitas notes that “being a company specialized in specific accessories sparks curiosity among passersby.” He adds that the goal is to strengthen their presence in the UK market: “We already work with some companies and agents, but we make a point of being here to maintain contacts and expand our network.”
JOF, which exports 90% of its production (with the remaining 10% sold domestically but also destined for export), has experienced steady growth despite the sector’s unpredictability. According to Freitas, this growth is due to the differentiated relationships they maintain with large economic groups—“they are our anchors”—while continuing to work with smaller brands as well.
The company has reinforced its focus on innovation and continuous investment, from hiring new professionals for the development and design departments to acquiring digital printing machines for genuine leather and other materials. One of the initiatives that boosted the business was the introduction of RFID technology, which allows stock management and reading, also functioning as a security system. “We have invested in machinery and technology to digitize plastic labels, a project we have been developing over the past two years with the Inditex group,” emphasized Rui Pedro Freitas.
With this promising start, the Portuguese companies present in London confirm the dynamism and innovative capacity of the national industry, maintaining a focus on sustainability, technology, and differentiation in international markets.