A. Cardoso (Veneporte): “Our European manufacturing facilities and product quality are a solid defence”

Abilio Cardoso: After a record year in 2024 with €31 million in revenue (+25% compared to 2023) and excellent profitability, 2025 has been more complicated without any new developments, so our performance should remain more or less stable. However, we are forecasting a positive trend for 2026, supported by the cost-saving plan we have initiated and the finalisation of new agreements. We are specialists in exhaust systems, which at first glance may not seem to be the most promising area, but with the introduction of Euro 5 and 6 standards and the wide- spread use of particulate filters, it has become a highly technical and therefore valuable product. The arrival of Euro 7 will also be a growth driver for Veneporte. Our two-year projection is to achieve €40 million in turnover.

A.C.: We manufacture 100% of our exhaust systems (hot and cold parts) in our factories. We are recognised for this, unlike our competitors who do a lot of product integration. Our strategy is therefore to continue focusing on the hot part, a more technologically advanced product that accounts for 65% of our turnover. We will therefore concentrate our eff orts on newer products, such as GPFs (gasoline particulate fi lters), LNTs (Lean-NOx-Traps), SCRs (Selective Catalytic Reduction systems) and ASCs (Ammonia Slip Catalysts).

A.C.: Every customer is important… The balance between these three types of customers –OEM/OES, which accounts for 40% of our business, and IAM, which accounts for 60% – allows us to achieve positive results. In the original equipment market, we are finalising a new Mitsubishi Fuso (Daimler) project. We have signed new agreements with Renault, Stellantis (Distrigo), Volkswagen and Iveco, and we are continuing to develop our partnership with Faurecia (Forvia) for the Easy2Fit offering. In the IAM sector, we have made good progress with LKQ Europe, and things are developing with AAG. We are very careful to find the right balance between quality and price. This means we do not sign agreements with groups that are only interested in driving prices down. 

A.C.: We are going to focus our energy on strengthening our position in Europe, which is our primary market... Next, we want to expand our geographical footprint, if only to seek even more growth in other regions, such as Africa in general and North Africa in particular.

A.C.: Quality makes the diff erence. And our primary defence is clearly our ability to handle the entire industrial chain. This vertical integration not only gives us the necessary flexibility, but also allows us to remain competitive with a quality product and even to be profi table, and therefore able to invest. We are currently setting up a technology centre for product development in R&D for the IAM, with a view to the Euro 7 standard. It will be operational in the third quarter of 2026.

A.C.: Yes. We are continuing to invest in our combustion technology production! I never believed that the European Commission would maintain the deadline for ending ICE vehicle production in 2035. I believe more in a transitional hybrid solution combining several technologies. In any case, the European ecological strategy opens the door to fierce competition that is destructive to our industry. Our problem is that there are too many regulations and not enough support for our companies. It’s complicated for manufacturers facing Chinese companies that are capable of revolutionising the industry every day!

A. C.: We are currently 100% focused on combustion engine technologies. But we also have the investment capacity to transform our industrial facilities within five years. This solidity gives us the ability to consider the future. So, if we need to adapt our strategy and our engineering capacity, we will do so. 

A.C: The Europeans must defend their interests. The EU has fully embraced globalisation, and this is ultimately backfiring on us. So the demand from our equipment manufacturers is entirely justifiable. We need less regulation, more collaboration and more protection for European industry. We also need to be able to rely on clear policy and regulatory stability that allows us to anticipate and invest confidently in change.