"Ten years ago, we had a turnover of 17 million euros and 150 employees. Now we have around 530 employees and ended the last year with a turnover of 88 million euros," he adds.
With more than three decades of history, the Vila Real plant was founded in 1989 as MotoMeter, within the Blaupunkt Antenna Systems group, and was initially dedicated to the production of car panels. In 2010, it was acquired by Kathrein Automotive and "specialised in the production of antennas and communication devices", a commitment that Continental has continued to promote since the acquisition four years ago. Owned by a group present in more than 60 countries, it's not surprising that Continental Advanced Antenna Portugal exports "almost 100% of its production", notes Miguel Pinto. Aimed especially at the premium segment of the automotive industry, the Vila Real plant's production supplies "above all the European market, but also the United States, China and South Africa, among other countries", says the general manager.
In addition to taking the name of Trás-os-Montes and Portugal to the four corners of the world, Continental Advanced Antenna Portugal is also determined to promote the development of the region in which it operates "on several fronts". "We are the largest private employer in the district and we are involved in various social responsibility projects at local level," explains Miguel Pinto, who assumes the company's commitment to helping create a technological hub in the area of mobility in Trás-os-Montes. "In partnership with the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro and within the scope of the PRR, we are leaders of a mobility consortium for the region, which brings together other companies and represents almost 30 million euros," he points out.
Despite the obstacles posed by the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the shortage of semiconductors which, in recent years, "has generally affected the entire automotive components industry worldwide", the economic challenges don't scare Continental Advanced Antenna Portugal, which is confident about the future, notes Miguel Pinto. "The automotive market is undergoing a real revolution and we want to be at the forefront of these new market trends, particularly with regard to autonomous driving, for which antennas and communication devices are essential," says the managing director, who also praises the "support, in a logic of partnership" that Altice has given the company, both as a communications partner and in its involvement in specific innovation projects.