1991
Company foundation
The company is born in August 1991, with the formation of Indusa - Indústria de Sanitários, Lda. Founded by 11 partners, Indusa starts manufacturing sanitary ware, taking advantage of a gap in the market.
1992
Building of the company premises
The company initiates the construction of its first industrial unit at the Mamodeiro Industrial Estate, in Aveiro.
1993
Sanitary ware production starts
After a successful start in the manufacture of sanitary ware in Vitreous China, the factory’s production capacity and number of employees doubles within a year.
1996
NP EN ISO 9002 certification
Indusa is certified according to the NP EN ISO 9002 Standard. The company gains the trust of consumers and consolidates an image of quality in a short time.
1997
Acquisition of Grau - Torneiras e Acessórios, S.A.
Sanindusa acquires a newly-formed company specialised in taps and accessories: Grau - Torneiras e Acessórios, S.A.
1998
Construction of the acrylics factory
Sanindusa builds a new production unit specialised in the production of standard and whirlpool baths, shower trays and shower columns in acrylic panel. The company introduces a broader bathroom concept to offer integrated product solutions.
1999
Production starts at the tap and accessories factory
The company starts producing taps and accessories in 2005, which complement its existing bathroom and kitchen range.
2000
Sanindusa 2 – Indústria de Sanitários, S.A.
Sanindusa 2 is founded in August to ensure the continuous manufacture of sanitary ware in Vitreous China and increase the company’s production capacity. This ambitious project represents a solid example of technological innovation within the sector. Based on advanced technology, the project is designed around the rational use of production resources, integrated global process management and the consequent optimisation of product quality.
2001
The company name changes and operations start at a new unit
The company changes its name to Sanindusa - Indústria de Sanitários, S.A., albeit maintaining the Indusa brand, widely recognised by its customers.
The first subsidiary in Spain – Sanindusa España – is founded in the same year.
In 2001, a new production unit is purposefully built to produce ceramic pieces in Fine Fireclay, allowing the company to focus on bolder designs and products of larger size. This new stage enables the company to focus on a market segment targeted at architects and interior designers, as this material is better suited to the design of more specific, distinctive solutions, in technical and aesthetic terms.
2003
Unisan XXI, S.A.
Sanindusa acquires Spanish sanitary ware manufacturer Unisan XXI, S.A., as part of its business growth strategy and efforts to penetrate into the neighbouring market. This operation, which brings the number of Group companies up to four, allows Sanindusa to effectively enter the Spanish market. The company pursues its internationalisation strategy and benefits from the perceived potential of the Iberian market.
The Indusa brand name is changed to Sanindusa in the same year. This change and rebranding process lead to the creation of the slogan “Lifemoments”, intended to establish an association between the company’s products and consumer lifestyles, sensations and emotions.
2004
Implementation of the EMS and EMAS registration
The Environmental Management System is implemented, in accordance with the NP EN ISO 14001 Standard. The company is registered with the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).
2005
International Awards and Environmental Certification
Sanindusa achieves international recognition with its WCA collection, which wins two design awards. Designed by architect Carvalho Araújo, the collection wins a Design Plus Award, in Germany, in a competition organised by the Messe Frankfurt Exhibition in partnership with the German Design Council. The collection also receives a Good Design award in the USA, at a competition organised by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, in partnership with Metropolitan Arts Press Ltd.
Sanindusa’s commitment to ensuring product and service quality and improving environmental performance are evidenced by the integration of the Sanindusa and Sanindusa 2 management systems, in 2022, through the production of the Management System Manual. This effort allows Sanindusa to obtain an environmental certification (at ceramic production units 1 and 2), in accordance with the NP EN ISO 14001 Standard.
The Integrated Quality, Safety and Environmental Management System is implemented at Sanindusa for the purpose of obtaining a quality, safety and environmental certification. The company is registered with the EMAS in 2005.
2011
Sanindusa UK, Limited
In order to promote the brand in the United Kingdom, Sanindusa - Industria de Sanitários, S.A. founds Sanindusa UK Limited, fully owned by the mother company.
2013
Introduction of the SPA range
Sanindusa decides to expand its product offer by strategically including a Spa collection in its catalogue.
2016
iF Design Award
The Line 42 bathroom mixers, designed by Emanuel Rufo, win an iF Design Award in Germany. Synonymous with quality and worldwide prestige, the iF Design Award is one of the biggest, most important international awards given by the iF International Forum Design.
2017
Fire destroys Sanindusa 2
Sanindusa suffers a very significant loss in October. A forest fire completely destroys the C3 ceramics unit located in Tocha. Sanindusa 2 is burnt to the ground by the terrible fires that devastate the area. Despite this huge loss, the Group remains firm and motivated to rebuild this production unit and keep their workers in employment.
2018
Reconstruction works start at the Tocha factory
The reconstruction of Sanindusa 2 starts at the same location.
2021
Production resumes at Sanindusa 2
The first products come to light almost 4 years after the fire. The successive delays caused by the pandemic are to blame for this late start.
Standing at the forefront of automation and technology, Sanindusa 2 once again offers the widest range of sanitary ware.
In operation since February, the Tocha unit allows Sanindusa to increase its production capacity.
With its roots in a challenging sector, where it was forced to compete against large industrial groups, Sanindusa is currently proud of the leading position it has conquered in a few years, despite the difficulties faced along its still short journey. A privately-owned Portuguese company, Sanindusa is currently the largest sanitary ware manufacturer in the Iberian Peninsula.