Covema – Madeiras focuses in wood and wood derivatives wholesale trading activities. The company headquarters are located in Oliveira de Azeméis, but the company operates all over the country (Portugal), as well as internationally. Covema stands out not only for the quality of the products that commercializes but also for the services it provides – cut to measure, edge band, machining, technical advice, stock, and distribution.
Interview with Pedro Costa, Marketing Manager at Covema – Madeiras.
Easy Engineering: A brief description of the company and its activities
Pedro Costa: The company is committed to a policy of rigor, transparency and the constant pursue for innovative solutions, aiming at customer satisfaction at all levels. In addition, the commitment to continuous training of its human resources and I&D is something that is regularly taken into consideration.
Due to the Portuguese market needs, recently we’ve launched two new brands. The 1st one focusing in the transformation of wood boards in furniture components for many applications such as kitchens, wardrobes, offices, compact laminate and other furniture in general – Bloma by Covema.
The 2nd brand is destined to a smaller market, that has been growing day after day, which is transformed wood for furniture components for laboratorial and hospital utilization – BEMA Labs.
Due to state-of-the-art machinery that the company has at its disposal, it has the ability to differentiate itself from other competitors.
E.E: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
P.C: Covema main areas of activity are commercialization and distribution of wood and wood derivatives. Through its two new brands, transformation of wood in different components for furniture is also a part of Covema’s activities (through Bloma and BEMA Labs).
Bloma focuses on producing wooden components for kitchens, wardrobes, offices and indoor compact laminate projects, while BEMA Labs specializes in manufacturing and installing hospital and laboratory furniture.
As the three brands complement each other, Covema is thus able to reach a much higher target audience, as well as other businesses opportunities.
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
P.C: As a result of a multidisciplinary and highly trained team, Covema is always improving the existent products and also working on new solutions to ensure quality innovative products to its customers.
Through the implementation of new technologies and processes, Covema, Bloma and BEMA Labs present solutions that guarantee functionality and harmonization of spaces, matching the actual needs, but also the constant innovations projected for the future.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
P.C: Covema product range includes several types of woods from different continents (Africa, Europe, North and South America) as well as wood derivatives, such as agglomerates, mdf’s, plywood, compact laminates, wooden doors, flooring solutions and acrylic stone, amongst other solutions.
Bloma and BEMA Labs offer transformed products for many applications – kitchens, wardrobes, offices, indoor compact laminate furniture, hospitals, laboratories, and other solutions, within the customer needs.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
P.C: The market in which Covema operates, due to its connection to the construction sector, is growing at a very high rhythm, and with no perspective of slowing down soon. According to several forecasts and predictions, the construction sector in Portugal is expected to grow roughly 3,4% in 2023. More optimist forecasts predict nearly 4,5% grow.
Covema’s main goal is to remain active and to take the opportunities the market provides, growing alongside it.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
P.C: There are a lot of trends for the construction sector for the year of 2023 – BIM (building information modelling) technology for architecture, accessibility, sustainability, integration between architecture and landscaping, amongst others.
One of the biggest trends for 2023 that directly impact Covema is the growing concern with sustainability and energy efficiency. All projects tend to include, for instance, recyclable, environmentally friendly materials as part of their motto to preserve the environment.
Covema focus on this subject by providing to its customers some solutions made of 100% ecological products.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
P.C: More than innovative products, Covema stands out for the services provided. The company bases part of its service on a tailor-made dynamic, where it meets all of the needs from the customer – part of the Bloma by Covema business.
In order for this to happen, the company has a technologically advanced industrial park that allow it to raise quality of service to a higher level. In addition, the company does have some innovative products, such as 100% ecological collections for kitchens and wardrobes – through Bloma – as well as other solutions that take in consideration an environmental aspect.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2023?
P.C: For 2023 it is expected that Covema will continue to grow, as has been the prerogative until now. The company has been able to overcome difficulties and prosper therefore is expected to keep doing it. Even though much as been done already, there is still a lot of work and opportunities to be explored, from the consolidation and distribution processes, the commitment to the company’s growth and even prospecting for new businesses and potential new areas – as has already been done with Bloma and BEMA Labs.