Vieira de Castro's history began in 1943 with a traditional confectionery and pastry shop in Rua de Santo António, in the city centre of Vila Nova de Famalicão. This was António Vieira de Castro's first business.
‘My father, who didn't know anything about cakes, surrounded himself with good staff who came from Porto, to make the house a reference at the time. Especially the Bolo Rei and Pão-de-Ló (Sponge cake), which became famous throughout the region,’ explains Carlos Vieira de Castro, son of the brand's founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors.
‘Our father saw things ahead of his time and on a trip to Germany he brought back a sweets machine that also wrapped sweets. And at the time this had a big impact on sales.’ This was followed by a new investment in a biscuit production line, and then the story tells of the company's growth with iconic creations such as the ‘Água e Sal’ biscuit, the ‘Amêndoas Cláudias’ or the ‘Flocos de Neve’ sweets, which have been passed down through several generations of Portuguese and retain their original flavour and quality, which distinguish them and make them unmistakable.
After more than 80 years, Vieira is now the largest Portuguese manufacturer of biscuits, almonds and sweets with unique flavours, which it distributes all over the world.
Carlos Vieira de Castro inherited his entrepreneurial streak from his father. ‘When I took over the factory at the end of the 1990s, I also surrounded myself with a group of people to put my thoughts into practice and drive the company forward.’ He opened a new plant, invested in product innovation and surrounded himself with strategic partners to favour sales.
The businessman has long been an example of entrepreneurship and exemplifies the entrepreneurial dimension that is a hallmark of the region. He is also one of the faces of the European Entrepreneurial Region, which is being celebrated in the municipality this year.
‘Vieira is history, tradition, but also a brand that has always known how to be innovative in time and one of the great business references of our municipality,’ said Mayor Mário Passos when he presented Carlos Vieira de Castro with this recognition.
Regarding his success, Carlos Vieira de Castro says he has no particular secret. ‘It's the clients who define what we have to do and we have to be attentive to what the markets are asking for, travel the world and follow what's being done to bring the best to us and do it first.’
Vieira has a new expansion project, which is already in the new generation - the third in the family - with an investment in a new unit, digitalisation and process improvement, which should start soon and be completed by 2027, to keep the brand as a reference and secure the future.
It's worth remembering that Carlos Vieira de Castro was recently honoured by the President of the Republic with the Commendation of the Order of Business Merit, in recognition of his work and development of the Vieira brand, his example of entrepreneurship and as a philanthropist. ‘When I look back I feel fulfilled and happy for the work done. I'm also very happy for the people who pass through here, who are also part of this story that began in 1943,’ emphasises the Commander.
‘It's a fair and recognised tribute to the man and businessman,’ Mário Passos also said, recalling that Carlos Vieira de Castro has been an Honorary Citizen of Famalicão since 2018.