OLIVA (Initial designation - Oliveira, Filhos)

Category: Civil Architecture > Modern Industrial Architecture (1925-1965)

District: Aveiro > São João da Madeira > São João da Madeira > Fontainhas

History of Oliva

- Founded in 1925 by António José Pinto de Oliveira, the initial company was called "Indústrias A.J. Oliveira, Filhos e Cª. Ldª".

- The factory began with the production of foundry, locksmithing, sawing and mechanical carpentry.

- It became nationally and internationally famous for the creation of "Oliva" sewing machines, which directly competed with brands like Singer.

Landmark Buildings

Clock Tower

Inaugurated in 1950, the clock tower was part of the administrative building, standing out for its innovative architecture.

General Factories Building

Built in 1960, it represented an advanced mastery of new construction materials.

Expansion and Rivalry

- In 1948, Oliva began producing sewing machines, becoming a strong rival to the international brand Singer, maintaining this competition for about 30-40 years.

- The company grew and, in 1987, had a huge industrial area of 130,000 m².

Oliva Creative Factory Museum

- A large part of the factory is now abandoned, but an area has been restored and transformed into the "Oliva Creative Factory" museum, where visitors can learn more about the history and evolution of the factory.

Awards and Recognition

- In 1943, António José Pinto de Oliveira was distinguished with industrial merit and the degree of commander, in recognition of Oliva's economic impact in Portugal.

Advertising Methods

- Oliva used innovative advertising campaigns, with illuminated signs spread across the country.

- It also stood out in promoting sewing courses for women, where at the end of the course events and exhibitions of works were held.

- The company also created popular contests such as "Miss Oliva" and "Chita Dress".

- Its advertising extended to radio and television, including graphic advertisements and films such as "The Seamstress of Sé" and "Dreaming Is Easy".

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fábrica_Oliva

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt