Cork Know-how: from generation to generation.

Although it's not the first time I have written and shared content on blogs, it is the first time I am actually writing here on our renewed website. I do like to write, to share, to teach something new, even more so when it's about a topic I am passionate about and a subject I believe is very interesting and fulfilling: I'm referring to cork as a raw material, cork as final products, the cork oak tree, and the cork oak tree forest "Montado," the tradition and history as well as the changes over the years and decades.

I grew up in contact with this industry; my family, since my grandfather, has always worked in this business. My dad married my mom and rented a two-floor house so that he could have his own space to live and work, moving away from my grandfather's house and warehouse, which still exist and I still use to store my stock. We moved to that house when I was less than 1 year old and lived there until I was 9. Those were very happy years...

And I remember being there on the lower floor, looking at my father and his employees working, believing I was being helpful when my father allowed me to join him, other times just playing there on my own.

As I grew older, I always had the feeling I would one day work and follow in my family's footsteps. Although I have studied and looked for other areas and projects, the truth is that I always enjoyed the industry, and I knew as the only son it would be up to me to keep this business going.

I took control of the family business over 10 years ago, with my father's help and support teaching me and passing me the cork know-how of decades, and I'm proud of the way things are going. Although the industry is very different from my childhood years, the golden years, I have a good feeling about our present and future, which makes me now believe that a part of my mission is to repeat my ancestors' role by building a solid company, and then helping and supporting my two kids when they are grown enough, if they have the same passion, desire, and vocation to continue our family story.