From a modest craft workshop to today's advanced industrial facility, five generations have turned adaptability into the driving force of our legacy.
It all started in 1896 with the founding of A Metalurgia by Joaquim Moreira Pinto. The company’s formal registration followed on 21 April 1911. Over subsequent decades, successive generations built upon this foundation—adding expertise, capacity and new ways forward.
In a film divided into chapters, we travel through the moments, the people and the decisions that have shaped AMetalúrgica from 1896 to the present day.
Joaquim Moreira Pinto founded A Metalurgia, marking the beginning of the cake mould manufacturing industry in Portugal. Starting with artisanal tinplate production, the workshop manufactured watering cans, oil lamps, oil cans and small cake moulds.
David Moreira Pinto succeeded his father and continued the company's production, expanding the range of cake moulds and diversifying into new items, pioneering the manufacture of icing syringes and food mills in Portugal.
On 19 June 1973, A Metalúrgica David Moreira Pinto Lda. was incorporated, establishing a corporate structure that would remain in place until 2002.
By late 1977, the company's survival was at risk. Agostinho Santos proposed buying the business to keep it in the family and preserve its manufacturing operations.
Belarmino Ferreira joins the company, bringing the creative strength of lithographic design. Agostinho Santos initially supports the business on a part-time basis, focusing on technical and production optimisation. This complementarity initiates a profound transformation of methods and processes.
Technical transformation gained momentum with the adaptation of machinery and the introduction of new production solutions.
During this period, a tinning line was also developed, alongside other improvements to production processes
In parallel, the company began its expansion into international markets, responding to opportunities published in the ICEP Exporter's Bulletin.
Ana Maria Santos played a decisive role in this phase, providing translations, administrative support and assistance at the first international trade fairs.
The internationalisation launched just a few years earlier rapidly gained scale.
By 1982, 97% of production was already destined for export.
1985
The company moved from its 200 m² premises behind the family home to a 2,000 m² facility in Boavista, Porto.
1986
Agostinho Santos left the insurance sector to dedicate himself to the company full-time.
1993
The company acquired the land for its current site.
1994
Construction began on the new industrial plant.
The company moved to its current premises, featuring 6,300 m² of covered space set within a total area of 30,000 m².
The new facility paved the way for enhanced production capacity and a deeper specialization in industrial baking and pastry solutions.
200 m² → 2 000 m² → 6 300 m²
2002
Incorporation as a public limited company (SA) and adoption of the name A Metalúrgica Bakeware Production SA, remaining 100% family-owned. Mónica, Raquel and Ana joined the shareholder structure.
2005
Raquel Santos joined the company as an employee.
2014
Ana Santos joined the company as an employee.
2024
Formalisation of the family constitution, preparing for the continuity of the fifth and subsequent generations.
In the year marking its 130th anniversary, the brand simplifies its identity to AMetalúrgica, opening a new chapter in how it presents its capabilities to the market.
Decades of accumulated experience are translated into bespoke technical solutions and a strengthened capacity to explore new applications and tackle emerging industrial challenges.
With the fifth generation leading the way, 130 years do not close a cycle. They lay the groundwork for what comes next.
This evolution represents a company that continues to turn experience and industrial knowledge into technological capabilities, precision engineering and tailored technical solutions.
We have changed the way we present ourselves, but the foundations of our business remain the same. Our registered company name, contact details and commercial procedures are unchanged.
We invite you to discover the new AMetalúrgica and explore the milestones, people and decisions that have shaped our 130-year history.
