Iemesa, more machinery, even in the COVID-19 pandemic

Iemesa (Industria de Encajes Mecánicos) and Iebosa (Industria Española de Bordados) have been producing cotton lace and embroidery, respectively, since 1953. Their long history is built on the pillars of professionalism and commitment, to guarantee the indisputable quality of products and their efforts to always reflect new trends without leaving behind those old-time classics, now timeless and always present. The family-owned business is now headed by members of the fourth generation. Good management and continuity are their banners, and the company now gives jobs to 60 people, while invoicing levels reach € 4,500,000.

Embroidery sales grow

Iebosa’s sales grew last year, with growth reaching 25%, mostly going to lingerie and exportation. The company’s production reveals 80% goes abroad, showing evolution and growth are encouraging and significant, so that those heading the firm feel inspired to plan new projects. Iemesa’s footprint is especially evident in Portugal and Chile. In the former, the affiliate sales offices serve Portuguese consumers while in Santiago de Chile, a local factory serves both domestic and neighbour markets.

New times, new projects

Back in the 1970s, cotton lace and embroidery were very popular, and orders might even take some 8 months be delivered. Today, demand is more sensitive to fashion trends and the economic situation. For the past 4 or 5 years, fashion has tended towards plain fabric items and ornaments like cotton lace are not as popular as they used to be. With this in mind, new horizons focus on promoting embroidery, on experimenting and developing new products that will awaken consumers’ interest in accessories.

A recent project already under way

Iemesa has decided to work on a new project. At the time when Encajes Laquidain stopped operating, Iemesa reached an agreement for the acquisition of 3 Raschels machines and 2 passementerie machines, while it also bought the business operation, the products in stock, and retained some of the employees who knew how to operate the Raschels machines, now owned by Iemesa. As the technique is complex, operators must be skilled and experienced, for the machines to represent a profitable investment. Iemesa will continue to make the extensive range of Medi and Bambi tulle, the cotton lace, cotton and polyamide dotted Swiss tulle, and other passementerie products. At this time, one of the machines is already at work, and over the next few weeks, the others will be added. Iemesa is getting ready in this way to face new challenges in this new stage, with new products that will continue to take its name to national and international markets.