LASA is proud of “Made in Portugal”!
LASA is an accepted brand with bath and home textiles that are present in different international markets according to the motto “100% Portuguese”.
With a continuous growth, always defending its 100% Portuguese origin, the “brand LASA bath and home textiles that we have baptized in the name of LASA HOME this year, is integrated strategically in the Industrial Group Lasa”, explains Olivier Mercier, the leader of Lasa Home in France.
“Lasa produces 700 tonnes of threads per month of which 200 tonnes are used for the weaving mill and the production of terry products. 80 tonnes are inserted by the production of bed linen and kitchen articles and further 80 tonnes for the production of chains.
The empire Lasa began in the early 70’s under the responsibility of Armando Antunes da Silva, actual president and founder of the group. The company is located in Guimarães in northern Portugal and has been the first production unit that consecrates itself to the production of terry products.
In 1980 the group decided to invest in a vertical integration and so to open the first spinning mill whose work could be strengthened during the last years. It’s also important to say that the factory has the ability for producing its own power and to treat the wastewater. In 2000 Lasa acquired the company Luzmont that consecrates itself to the production of bed linen.
Until 2000 Lasa concentrates exclusively on the production for wholesalers and national brands for which Lasa has offered complete and diversified collections for clothes, beach towels, bathrobes, slippers and bath mats. Then it is expanded by manufacturing bed linen and kitchen articles. From that year and because of the high demand on the market they have designed their own collection with the name – Lasa International – that has gradually spread in textile, decoration and retail stores.
Later Lasa has developed to Lasa Home that has ca. 130.000 references in stock at the moment. This quantity of references enables Lasa to issue orders within 7 working days. “Although the group recognises itself as a distinguished manufacturer it prefers the discretion regarding to the weight of its activities, although it is growing constantly and continuously. You can explain it easily because over the years Lasa managed to establish a high-grade image, in their products as well as in their service that fulfils the requirements of the today’s small distribution chains.
Lasa has articles for children, terry towels, terry bathrobes as well as articles for the tourism and the hotel business available. The group works with terry articles from 400 to 650 g/m² that are continuously available in ca. 30 colours.
Regarding to the patterns and motives Lasa presents a broad product range in different and separate categories. Those go from terry products to kitchen towels, towels, bathrobes and bed linen. Always with bright and dynamic colours.
The Lasa group also turned fast towards the export. In 1994 with the help of Dina-Nizerolle Leveille Olivier Mercier has opened an office in France and became the agent of Lasa for the French, Belgian and Luxembourgian market. Lasa also has offices in Germany, Spain, Great Britain, Suisse and in the Netherlands. At the end of 2015 Lasa has opened a showroom in Japan. For many years Lasa has been present in the United States and in Canada. “Last Year the Portuguese market only has represented 8% of the total sales of the group. It recorded 74 million euros.” The dynamic of the group is obvious regarding to actual 800 employees and the fact that the group secures a turnover of 60 million euros.
Besides a 100% Portuguese production and a high quality level, Lasa distinguishes itself because of the creativity of their own products. With a design team of 6 people “Lasa is always looking for new spinning, dyeing factory and weaving procedures. This spirit of a permanent innovation allows Lasa to develop printed threads in different colours. That’s why Lasa presents a unique combination of colour gradients.” Lasa also shows its originality the way in which it conceives the surfaces of its towels, in which they have wrinkles, in which they are bicoloured or in which they have stonewashed effects.
At the end of the year 80% of the models will be renewed. The remaining 20% are uni articles that became real classics of Lasa over the years.>>
Journal du Textile | Nº2311 | 18 october 2016
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