Cover Story – Vicaima

January 9, 2023

Vicaima is an interior timber product manufacturer and part of the Vicaima group which operates in over 30 countries worldwide. They bring together innovation with design and performance to the market for doorsets, wall panels, wardrobes and associated joinery products.

Vicaima was established in 1959 under the name ‘Florestal’ in Vale de Cambra (Aveiro), dedicated to the trade of materials for joinery and the civil construction industry. Florestral changed designation to Vicaima Industria in 1964 and door manufacturing followed in 1969. From this point they grew rapidly and one of their early expansions was the foundation of its UK presence as Vicaima. Originally an active market from the late eighties, Swindon in Wiltshire became a permanent home in 1996.

As a responsible and environmentally aware manufacturer, Vicaima cares about the future and that is why it promotes the use of technologies and materials which minimise pollution and is focused upon using timber products from renewable and certified forest resources. In 2005 Vicaima obtained ISO 14001 environmental certification by APCER, and FSC ® (Forest Stewardship Council ®) certification. The company has already produced over 5 million products with the certification and it is only the beginning to a sustainable journey. Vicaima products also complies with EU Timber Regulations. They harness the use of natural resources, and have installed a photovoltaic power plant for electricity production which is used alongside external energy which is certified as ‘100% Green Energy’ and is produced totally through renewable sources. Vicaima recycle and reuse wood waste, around 99% of which is used for thermal energy production or to be transformed in composite material products such as MDF or chipboard. Alongside this, they are constantly investing in research and development in order to make products with excellent levels of thermal transmission co-efficient to contribute to a better energy performance of the space or building where their products are installed.

Vicaima have a wide range of products. Not only do they provide homes with gorgeous doors that keep up with interior design trends but manufacture doors for all purposes. Alongside their interior door ranges, Vicaima produce fire, security, acoustic and thermal doors. Their fire doors are tested and classified according to the certification schemes of each country’s specific standards. In the European Community member states, fire doors must meet classification according to EN 13501-2 and must be tested according EN 1634-1 for fire resistance and smoke control. In the United Kingdom, fire doors must be certified according to British Standard 476 Part22. It may happen that in some countries of the European Community request specific tests held in their own markets, and other countries that accept products certified by foreign accredited laboratories.

Vicaima ensure the highest standards in their security and fire doors in order to maintain high regulation levels, leading to happy customers.

Vicaima’s thermal doors guarantee high thermal insulation and contribute to a better energy performance. This is an especially helpful and important facet in the market currently due to the cost-of-living crisis impacting so many. With thermal efficient doors, the amount of heat lost through preventable measures is decreased drastically, making a room cheaper to heat because it maintains a heat it is supposed to stay at. These innovations in Vicaima’s portfolio show how they’re a market leader in the industry.

Showhome caught up with Paul King, Marketing Director at Vicaima to discuss what Vicaima are up to, their future plans and how they are able to provide such high-quality products at a lower cost to customers during a time where people are cautious of the money they are spending.

Can you tell us more about Vicaima? What are your goals for the future?

Vicaima has consistently demonstrated strong confidence in the UK with the multi-million pound outright purchase of its current 7- acre location back in 2015. From this hub, Vicaima manages a stock holding of close to 100,000 own produced standard and bespoke doors. From here it is able to distribute throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland. The UK operation does a lot more than just stock doors of course. With UK manufacturing facilities at their disposal, Vicaima products can be glazed, grooved with decorative patterns and have fitted inlays. In addition to which door kits can be prepared for the complete package…

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