The Ibersol Group’s catering business operates from
two production centres and two warehouses in Albar-
raque and Maia. It comprises three catering firms (Silva
Carvalho Catering, Solinca and Sugestões & Opções).
In the production centres a team of excellent profes-
sionals makes Ibersol the sector’s only business group
with truly national coverage.
Sales in 2012 were 4.7 million euros; more than 240,000
customers were served at 734 events. The market con-
traction trend continued during the year, a result of the
economic situation and an unfavourable international
events agenda. In the domestic market fewer events
were held and they were smaller, while in the interna-
tional events area the downturn was keenly felt in the
city of Porto. Companies’ and individuals’ efforts to cut
costs strongly impacted sale prices, with customers
shifting to more affordable event typologies.
Despite the unfavourable situation overall, strict cost
controls and the sophisticated budgeting process for
each event enabled profitability ratios to improve. Par-
allel to this, the major reorganization plan carried out in
2011 led to a significant improvement of the business’s
overall profitability.
Year 2012 marked a turning point, especially in the
Lisbon market. The entrance into the Estoril Congress
Centre early in the year and the Lisbon Congress Cen-
tre in December favourably impacted the segment of
congresses and major business events. The presence
in these two spaces, along with others such as Ex-
ponor, Europarque, Alfândega do Porto, FIL, Parque das
Nações and Pavilão Atlântico clearly situate Ibersol at
the vanguard of this market, ensuring a presence in the
country’s biggest congress venues.
In the sporting event segment, we renewed the Dragão
Stadium concession, while in the private segment we
continued researching new spaces to hold weddings
and parties, besides enhancing communication and
sales via digital platforms.
These events make it possible to face 2013 with a cer-
tain degree of optimism, even though we envisage a
tough and demanding year. The reorganizations under-
taken, new locations and concessions garnered in 2012
will surely allow all those problems to be overcome,
transforming them into excellent opportunities for the
company and all its employees.
Financial Year Activity | PORTUGAL
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