In geral category “Heróis PME” – the winner was Forteams Lab. Based in Vizela, started by producing labels, evolved in the textile sector and, as a result of a real transformation that involved a rebranding , the creation of a research , development and innovation department and a redefinition of the digital strategy, it became a “PME European reference in sports merchandising”.

In geral category “Heróis PME” – the winner was FORteams LAB. Based in Vizela, started by producing labels, evolved in the textile sector and, as a result of a real transformation that involved a rebranding , the creation of a research , development and innovation department and a redefinition of the digital strategy, it became a “PME European reference in sports merchandising”, became a European reference PME in sports merchandising, Known as “Cristiano Ronaldo of scarves”. Pedro Santos, CEO of FORteams LAB, is “proud of the team. Our history is one of resilience, patiente, reinvention and we are very grateful for this award and the recognition”.

The “Heróis PME” initiative is a distinction that is aimed to award small and médium-sized enterprizes (PME) with successful stories, which in its fourth edition features the company FORteams LAB (…). This is to say that the process of choosing the finalist companies will be done through voting until April 03, taking place to the “Heróis PME” website. (http://heroispme.pt) The organization is by Yunit Consulting, and this fourth edition has already been marked by the fact it is the most popular ever. Among the various candidates, the 61 best success stories were selected, including Forteams Lab, managed by Pedro Santos , from Vizela, … The “Heróis PME” concept focuses on the capacity for innovation and persistence of Portuguese PME that overcome adversity and follow the path of prosperity , generating wealth and employment, in Portugal and abroad.

A Portuguese company from Vizela is manufacturing the official World Cup scarves for Brazil. The FORteams LAB was chosen once again to have the official license of a competition of this level. The Portuguese company has already made the World Cup scarves for the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and also for the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.

Forteams started by producing labels for garments, but after a crisis in the textile sector, it found an opportunity in sports merchandising. From Vizela, in the district of Braga, it dresses supporters of different colors around the world.

It produces millions of scarves, hats, caps, flags and other sporting props for major European clubs. It supplies these sports merchandising accessories, which are then distributed by other companies that have the official license (the licensors) of renowed clubs such as Bayern Munich, Roma, Chelsea and Marseille.

Currently, the manufacturing unit, which employs 96 employees, has achieved a great achievement. They are the official producers and distributors of Sport Lisboa and Benfica (SLB) scarves for four seasons. “We have the license to distribute the Sport Lisboa and Benfica scarves”, the commercial director of the company proudly highlights to ECO.

In 2018 it produced more than 500,000 scarves for the World Cup in Russia, both FIFA officials and national teams. Now, for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FORteams LAB, already known as “the Cristiano Ronaldo of scarves”, should be in charge of scarves, hats, and T-shirts.

“We are in negotiating to supply the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. We have already been asked for proforma invoices for scarves, hats, and T-shirts. This indicates that if the negotiation is successful, we double the expected invoicing. We are talking about 1.9 million units just for this event”, reveals the company’s commercial director, Anthony Câmara, to Portugal Têxtil.

The ISPO Munich 2019 ended on Wednesday, February 6th. The fair started last Sunday, the 3rd , and was attended by 41 portuguese exhibitors, among them, the Vizeland company FORteams LAB.