A brand with a story.
Over the years, Realfio has followed a path marked by dedication, innovation, and a commitment to quality. From its first steps to the consolidation of its name in the textile sector, every moment has represented an important chapter in the company’s journey. Here are the milestones that have helped define Realfio’s identity as a leading Portuguese brand.
1981
Realfio was born from the ambition of its founders to respond to the market needs of the time, particularly in the fields of sewing, embroidery, and footwear threads.
1987
With a focus on sustainable growth and excellence in services, Realfio invested in automatic equipment – a factor that significantly boosted its production capacity.
1988
Realfio built its first factory in Guardizela (Guimarães).
1989
To meet the need for strategically located distribution units in areas of higher demand, the first branch was opened in Penafiel, which has been in operation for over 35 years.
1989
With the same purpose as the Penafiel branch, an opportunity came to open a second branch was opened in Barcelos, ensuring proximity to clients in one of Portugal’s most important textile regions.
1995
The founders of Realfio felt the need to create a company entirely dedicated to the manufacture of zippers, Ridi, after the positive experience in the production of nylon zippers and in the marketing of Albertzips® brand products (with which they still maintain a partnership).
2000
Always attentive to market signals and aiming to meet the demands of a competitive context, Realfio opened a third branch – in Minde, in the centre of the country.
2000
The company held its first annual gathering, a tradition that has continued almost uninterruptedly to this day, still creating important moments of sharing and memory, recorded in the few photographs from that time.
2002
Realfio was certified under ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems, becoming one of the first companies in Portugal to achieve certification for sewing thread production activities.
2004
Innovation and product quality led to the national registration of the Realfio® brand.
2007
Realfio became the exclusive distributor in Portugal of embroidery threads from the Lurex® brand, a partnership that continues to this day.
2015
After more than 25 years in Guardizela and with strong market growth, Realfio invested in a new production facility. The new factory was established at the Mide Industrial Park, in Lordelo (Guimarães), where the company remains today, alongside its associate Ridi, located there since 2000.
2020
The company created a corporate identity under the motto “We are Complement!”, guiding the organisation in social, cultural, and organisational matters inside and outside the company. Realfio is not only an indispensable “complement” to the textile sector, in which the sewing thread plays a key role, but also the ideal “complement” for any work team and for all social and environmental responsibility initiatives.
2021
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Realfio celebrated 40 years of business heritage under the motto “Together we are stronger”, highlighting the companionship, values, principles, and resilience of the entire team.
2021
Realfio obtained product certification under the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), joining the global group of companies whose recycled products are certified under this standard. The certification has been renewed ever since.
2022
Realfio identified a strategic opportunity for business consolidation and investment in modernisation and competitiveness by acquiring a dyeing unit that had been in the market since 1989, along with its specialised team with decades of industry experience. This step reinforced the company’s goal of being the benchmark in the industrial sewing thread market, with a continued focus on quality, innovation, and excellent service.
2023
With a clear focus on customer satisfaction, Realfio enhanced its value proposition and developed a new line of sustainable footwear threads, Ecocel®, distinguished with the ISPO Textrends Award – Spring/Summer 2025, in the category Fibers & Insulations – Selection.