Talking with… Electrex intends to position itself in the market as high technology in welding and cutting at competitive prices. It confirms that it stands out for the reliability of its products and the excellence of its after-sales service.

Electrex, based in Santa Joana, Aveiro, has been manufacturing welding and plasma cutting machines for more than seven decades. It confirms that it stands out for the reliability of its products and the excellence of its after-sales service. Gonçalo Matos, João Alexandre Matos, João Francisco Matos, José Correia and Rui Filipe Matos are members of the third generation of the Matos family, who in 2017 decided to take over the company.
The story tells that the company was founded 75 years ago, on April 2, 1946, by João Rodrigues Matos. At the time, the company was called Electrificadora do Vouga, which later gave rise to João R. Matos, S.A. – the first Portuguese company to develop and manufacture a welding machine in Portugal. According to one of the five administrators, Gonçalo Matos, the production of welding machines, both under the Electrex brand and under OEM, occupies the largest share of the sales volume. “As we have the ‘know-how’ as manufacturers, we have two sectors for repairing welding machines and accessories, these being: repairs for machines with inverter technology and another for machines with conventional technology,” he said.
The company is also a representative of Hypertherm for plasma cutting machines and accessories, Universal Robots for robotic welding solutions, GPPH for welding tables and accessories, Jutec for thermal blankets and protective material, EWM for welding machines and Gloor for flowmeters and industrial gases material. “In addition to Electrex, we also own the own brand OX, which we created in 2004 to offer welding and cutting technology accessible to everyone. We are investing in the area of accessories and consumables as well as in the area of protective material for welding and cutting. ”, he revealed.
Specialized in welding and cutting technology and customization, the balance is positive. “It is impossible to summarize 75 years of history in a nutshell, but it is three generations of the Matos family offering welding solutions to a constantly changing world.” he added. Thus, Electrex intends to position itself in the market as high technology in welding and cutting at competitive prices and is distinguished by the reliability of its products and the excellence of its after-sales service. “Despite being a brand with more than seven decades of history, it represents a young team that intends to promote growth in new international markets, with a view to expanding its position in the current markets.” advanced.
Currently, the main concerns regarding customer satisfaction are the product and related services. In other words, in relation to the product, Electrex aims to surpass the quality criteria, the quality/price ratio, competitiveness, efficiency and durability. As for services, entrepreneurs are committed to meeting delivery deadlines and efficiently monitoring after-sales service, confirming that “customer satisfaction is a constant in our organization, with Electrex management being outlined from the point of view of the customer. ” Export is also very relevant for the company, with this indicator standing at 63% in 2020 in relation to the national market. They are present in several countries, however, the main ones are France, Spain, Belgium, Morocco and some countries in the Middle East.

Ecological awareness
In 2019, a charging station for electric and hybrid cars was installed. A new roof was also installed to install a photovoltaic plant with 220 solar panels. “Our ecological footprint is part of our values,” he said. In 2020, they also remodeled the painting line, repaired the floor of the production sector and reinforced the factory’s rear structure.

COVID-19 pandemic and prospects for 2021
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal and in the world are already being felt by all sectors. In view of this scenario, the company prepared a contingency plan to anticipate and manage the impact of a possible COVID-19 infection. Gonçalo explained that, in addition, they also put in place a very strict hygiene plan, complying with the standards of the World Health Organization, the European Center for the Control of Communicable Diseases and the Portuguese Health General Direction. And, unfortunately, the effects started to appear. In 2020, in the second quarter, Electrex recorded a lower sales volume, compared to previous months. “Let’s say that we were able to anticipate the impact of the pandemic with the use of the partial ‘lay-off’ regime and maintain all jobs”, he afirmed. In August 2020, the company stopped using the ‘lay-off’ regime. “In terms of final accounts, we estimate a decrease of 10% in sales volume in 2020, as we managed to recover in the following months,” he revealed. Despite the difficulties, for 2021, the partner said that they will have many news, both with new products, but also with new product ranges. Thus, the launching of two new series of machines is planned. “We have a very ambitious investment plan that aims to improve and expand our productive sector and to improve other areas. This year we are 75 years old and it is a milestone that we want to mark ”, he declared. The investment plan also includes the remodeling of the production lay-out and the acquisition of new production equipment. “In the near future, we hope to launch two lines of welding machines, completely reformulated and welding automation solutions”, he concluded.

In “Diário de Aveiro”