One History, one tradition

Manuel da Silva Torrado, the founder of the current company Estº. Manuel da Silva Torrado & Cª. (Irmãos), S.A., was born in Monforte, Castelo Branco, in Portugal, in 1858. In 1878, he started his trading activity in Lisbon.
Being fully aware of the outstanding quality and fineness of the olive oil produced in the region where he was born, he decided to introduce those precious products to the wider Lisbon market.
It was a great success.
But his success brought on new responsibilities with it.
As turnover expanded, it became ever more important that the olive tree fields of his region be very carefully selected, in order to produce only the best olive oil.

And it was imperative that such top quality olive oil could reach consumers in the best possible packaging conditions, for which purpose an adequately labeled tin was required.

Thus, the company launched its very own brands: SALOIO and SANTA MARIA.
Once the packaging and the brands had been created, it was necessary to promote and publicize them, so they might become recognized for their great quality.
In this regard, Portuguese emigrants played a major role by taking our olive oil with them and promoting it abroad in the countries where they settled.

Today, our brand has become one of the most renowned and consumed brands wherever Portuguese communities have settled abroad, all over the world, and it has become a symbol of Portugal.

More than 90 % of our production is dedicate to exports. Our olive oil have entered into the market around the world with increasing success every day.

Our challenge is in answering that demand and in maintaining our levels of top quality.

Our History

Manuel da Silva Torrado, the founder of the current company, Estº. Manuel da Silva Torrado & Cª. (Irmãos), S.A., was born in Monforte, Castelo Branco, in Portugal, in 1858. In 1878, he started his trading activity in Lisbon.

In 1911, he launched Manuel da Silva Torrado & Cª. (Irmãos) Lda in partnership with his brothers, with head offices sited at Campo das Cebolas, Lisbon, and including warehousing facilities in Castelo Branco and Poço do Bispo. In 14 February 1946, the company became a Public Limited Company trading under its present name.

From inception, the company’s main activity has focused on the production and distribution of olive oil, and it is currently one of Portugal’s largest olive oil exporters, namely to Canada, the United States of America, and Brazil, in which countries the company holds a significant market share.

On a par with its main product line, the company developed other commercial activities, namely rice milling and distribution of canned preserves.

Nevertheless, the production and distribution of olive oil remains its main activity currently, and, following a revision of its articles of association, the company has branched out into the building and construction sector as a secondary activity since 1994.

In 1992, the company was acquired by new shareholders, who already owned an olive oil distribution company called SICA - Sociedade Industrial e Comercial de Azeites, Lda.

In 1997, and following the restructuring of the company and of its shareholding composition, a share swap operation led to its current shareholding composition.

The company has maintained a sound footing in its markets throughout the years and enjoys a good reputation, remaining one of the largest and most profitable 3,500 domestic companies assessed by the D&B Ratings Agency (Dunn & Bradstreet), having been awarded a Rating of 2 (Low risk).

Credit risk management and insurance specialist Coface/MOPE has listed it among the top 1,500 domestic SME’s with reference to its 2003 financial indicators.

Important Dates

1878 – Manuel da Silva Torrado started his trading activity in Lisbon.

1911 – Launch of the company Manuel da Silva Torrado & Cª. (Irmãos), Limitada, with head offices in Lisbon.

1942 – Head Office moves to Praça da República, Sacavém.

1946 – Name change to Estabelecimentos Manuel da Silva Torrado & Cª. (Irmãos), S.A.R.L, with head offices in Praça da República, Sacavém, and share capital of PTE 2,000,000.

1983 – Increase in share capital from PTE 2,000,000 to PTE 4,000,000, and Head Office moves to Rua Domingos José de Morais, 77, Sacavém.

1987 – Increase in share capital from PTE 4,000,000 to PTE 46,000,000.

1988 – Name change to Estabelecimentos Manuel da Silva Torrado & Cª. (Irmãos), S.A.

1992 – The heirs of Manuel da Silva Torrado sell their shareholdings to the six partners of SICA, Limited.

1994 – Changes to its Articles of Association to include building & construction activities under its business objectives.

1997 – Change in shareholding composition, with shareholdings becoming split among 3 partners.

2000 – Head Office moves to Travessa do Almada, 12 – 1º Esq., Lisbon, and increase and redenomination of its share capital to EUR 690,000.