Portugal

In the 15th century, one of Portugal's kings ruled that anyone cutting down a cork oak tree would be punished with decapitation. Of course this rule is no longer applicable in Portugal, but cork trees are still sacred. Today, Portugal has 50 percent of the world's cork resources and controls over 80 percent of the world's cork trade.

Eduardo Gomes Coelho Ribas, president of the cork producer Corksribas, says that cork is Portugal's No. 1 ambassador: "There is cork in every corner of the world, though there is an 80 percent chance that any cork you find is from Portugal."

Ribas founded Corksribas in 1980. The entrepreneur had by then worked for Amorim, Portugal's largest cork company, for over 14 years and had gained enough experience and contacts around the world to start his own business. "I started from zero, and I designed the company after the products I had in mind," he recalls now.
An aerial view of Corksribas' factory

The company's products are made from the remains of cork from companies like Amorim and Alvara Coelho. Corkribas makes full use of the leftover cork: It is ground up and formed into blocks and sheets, wall and ceiling tiles, floor tiles, rubber cork material.

Corksribas products are exported today to over 25 countries around the world. Of this, about 34 percent goes to Asia. In Japan, one of the world's toughest markets in terms of quality requirements, Corksribas has been present for more than 20 years. "Because of our quality and service our customers stay with us. We have had the same customers for over 20 years now," Ribas says.

The company's hold on loyal clients is partly a result of Ribas' philosophy of good service offered to clients by "knowing them, by knowing their culture and the way they work". He explains: "We view travelling to visit our clients as an investment, not an expense."

Ribas believes the way forward is to maintain Corksribas' high level of service. "Our sales forecast for next year is 12 million euros," he points out. "We will achieve this goal by visiting our clients, being honest with them and supporting them as much as we can. Our success depend on honesty, quality and service."

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