Ecosteel is changing its name to OTTM - Otiima S.A. as part of planned growth strategy

Trade name change aims to support increased international exposure

Completion of production line investment projects aims to optimise processes and boost sustainability

João Simões appointed new CEO

José Cardoso Botelho, CEO of Vanguard Properties, joins the new board of directors, as does Paulo Carapuça, a well-respected and experienced manager in the construction sector with considerable knowledge of international operations.

Otiima focusses on certifying its products and consolidating its commitment to innovation and exports.

Today, Ecosteel, a leading company in minimalist window frames production, has unveiled a number of major changes, ranging from leadership to its very identity.

In response to constantly changing challenges, Ecosteel has appointed a new board of directors. The reins of leadership are handed to João Simões, a manager and specialist with extensive domestic and international experience in the industry. He is joined by Paulo Carapuça, an executive with over 20 years in the building sector, who worked as a director of the Casais Group, in addition to other important roles, such as executive member of the Plataforma Tecnológica Portuguesa da Construção (Portuguese Construction Technology Platform). Carapuça will be responsible for internationalisation, relations with the building sector, R&D support, the training academy and shared services. The other member of the board of directors is José Cardoso Botelho, an investor with vast experience in the property sector and current CEO of Vanguard Properties, Portugal’s leading developer in the premium and luxury segments. Among other things, Botelho will be responsible for auditing and strategic marketing and communication.

At the same time, an executive committee will be established, which will be made up of the company’s internal staff.

In terms of repositioning, the company will adopt the name "OTTM - Otiima S.A," signalling a major change in identity, echoing one of its main brands - "Otiima, Much More Than a Window".

Production line investment to increase delivery capability

With regards to production, OTTM - Otiima S.A. is currently reorganising its production line, driven by recent investments, which includes its own lacquer painting line and a section cutting robot. In coming months, the company is looking for a significant increase in delivery capability, with the support of the Kaizen Institute.

The main factory in Laúndos, Póvoa de Varzim, currently occupies over 12,000 m2, employing around 250 permanent staff, with room to expand. Implementing the robotised production line and in-house lacquering line has strengthened the company’s position in its domestic and international markets. More investment is in the pipeline, which will guarantee increased capacity, quality and efficiency.

OTTM - Otiima S.A. promises an aggressive approach in the near future, with an extensive investment programme in different product areas, with certifications already underway. Such planning aims to prepare the company for an expected increase in orders, primarily from abroad. The firm will also invest in ISO 9001 quality certification, thus guaranteeing the excellence of its products and services.

Lastly, Artworks, which is the market leader in its sector and produces, develops and manufactures works of art, projects and exhibitions, offers a collaborative and experimental approach with those working in various artistic fields. This part of the business will take on an even greater role, aiming to increase the differentiation of Otiima brand products.

According to the new company CEO, João Simões, "the transition to OTTM - Otiima S.A. and the new board of directors are part of a planned strategy to deal with future challenges and explore new opportunities regarding window frames and façades, maintaining the company’s position at the forefront of the sector. We’re even more focussed on the quality of our products, ever-committed to the innovation our customers desire and other stakeholders praise so highly".

João Simões - CV

A civil engineering graduate, João Simões began his career as a trainee at Mota-Engil in 2007., soon climbing the management ladder to lead Mota-Engil’s first operations in Brazil in 2011. Boasting a successful track record managing large-scale projects in various sectors and countries, one professional highlight involved managing one of the Nacala Corridor railway lots in Malawi for Mota-Engil, with a contract worth over €200 million, completed in little over two years.

He began working on building façades after joining Martifer in 2015, spending nine years managing operations in some of the world’s most important and demanding cities, such as Lisbon, Madrid, Paris and London. Working closely with key international stakeholders in the sector, he has contributed to the successful completion of various prestigious projects across Europe.

He led Martifer’s façade business until March 2019, when he began working in the United Kingdom as operations director for Lindner Prater. For the last 18 months he was UK managing director of the Clarison Group, overseeing English Architectural Glazing and Alucraft Systems. Over the last decade or so, he has successfully delivered over €450 million in varied façade projects up to €40 million in value.