Lurdes Campos
Manuel Monteiro
Manuel Duarte
Founder of Modarte
He started working at the age of 12 and by 16 he was already head foreman of a luggage factory. Although his children are now running the company, Modarte was created by Manuel Duarte 45 years ago and quickly became market leader. The partnership with renowned brand Samsonite also goes back a long way. Today Modarte has a network of 40 stores, collaborating with the main players in the market. For the future, Manuel Duarte predicts a ‘journey’ of affirmation for the company as the main operator in the travel and accessories segment.
Modarte was founded in the 1970s. Do you still recall what motivated you to set it up?
In 1973 I decided to found Modarte, which started up with only 12 people in Braga and soon became a leader in the national market, essentially making fabric items. In 1983 Samsonite was looking for a national partner to enter the Portuguese market. At this time, started to have a range of items in fabric (Modarte) and in fibres (Samsonite). The years went by and in 1990 the "phenomenon” of the opening of Asian markets began and Samsonite also began to incorporate fabric items at very competitive prices into its portfolio. In 2008 we took our first steps as retailers, opening the first Samsonite store. Today MODARTE has a total of 200 employees, a network of 40 stores, and works with the main players in the market.
What area of business does the company work in?
Distribution and retail sale of travel goods and fashion accessories. Currently, the retail side represents 2/3 of the company’s sales.
In addition to exclusive distribution in Portugal of the Samsonite brand, do you represent other brands?
At the moment we are bound 100% to Samsonite, for strategic reasons. When working with the leading brand, the process is very demanding and requires total dedication. On the other hand, in the last ten years, Samsonite has become immense, and is now a multi-brand company. In representing Samsonite we are ‘necessarily’ representing multiple brands.
«In representing Samsonite we are ‘necessarily’ representing multiple brands»
What are the benefits of purchasing a Samsonite product?
There are many, and according to their profile each consumer values some things more or less. As a highlight we have quality, innovation, after-sales service worldwide and the prestige associated with the use of a Samsonite.
As the company’s ‘pilot’, what travels will Modarte go on in the future?
The future of travel is very promising, and there is a profound cultural and social change underway. Currently young couples have travel as a consumer preference, when ten or 15 years ago they were more concerned about buying a house, or a car, etc. There is another great transformation underway at the moment in the form of e-commerce. In summary, for Modarte, I see a ‘journey’ of affirmation as the main operator in the travel and accessories segment, consolidation of the retail network and bolstering in the presence of e-commerce, with the aim of keeping the company always in the lead.
