About
History
ICEL was born from a small family workshop created in the forties by three brothers in which steel was forged and from which agricultural and kitchen cutlery items emerged.
This workshop was located in Ribafria, a small village near Benedita. In the beginning, the product range consisted of pen knives and a few totally hand made knives. The grade of steel was carbon steel that was forged and hardened with rudimental equipment, the energy used was produced from coal. The handles were made of animal bones and horns. As production rose, distribution was no longer local and became regional and the products were then available in shops and markets in different points of the country, mostly transported by rail.
By 1945 the small workshop had 25 employees and the decision was taken to establish a company called Indústria de Cutelarias da Estremadura, Lda. from which the first brand name ICEL would come out.
For more info contact us at info@icel.us
Quality
Environment and Safety politics is oriented by four main axles, connected among themselves in order to enable an appropriate and systematic answer to the market.
Customers
Being proactive is a positioning strategy; quality, brand image and customer satisfaction is our goal. Continuous improvement, innovations of product and process, flexibility and optimization of quality/price the way we found to assure, to conquer a strong presence in international markets and keep a solid position in the distribution channel.
Suppliers
Their correct evaluation and qualification is the method to assure the quality of the raw-material and products in order to guarantee the characteristics of the final product, reduce environment impact and eliminate the risks for health and safety of the employees.
Facts
- 1940 Creation of family workshop
- 1945 Foundation of the company in Ribafria
- 1950 Study and development of the logo and registration of the brand Icel
- 1966 Move of the facilities to Benedita
- 1972 The first exports are made
- 1973 Develops new product concepts and registers Zanger-Icel brand
- 1976 Acquirement of the first automatic grinding machine
- 1989 Introduction of the first computer system of Integrated Management
- 1990 Enlargement and improvement of the facilities on the Administrative and Social areas
- 1993 First attribution of the Prize SME Prestige
- 1994 Receives honourable mention by Portuguese Centre of Design
- 1995 Certification of the products by National Sanitary Foundation in USA
- 1997 Increase of the capital stock and alteration of the company statues to Corporate Company
- 1998 Certification of the Quality System, according to the Standard ISO 9002 by APCER
- 1998 Development of first knife series with stainless steel handle
- 1999 Receives Design Award of Product by Portuguese Centre of Design
- 1999 Prize SME Prestige
- 2000 Prize SME Prestige
- 2001 Introduction of the non-slippery material – Proflex – on knife handles for professionals
- 2001 Registration of the brand name – Proflex
- 2001 Prize SME Prestige
- 2003 Certification of the Management System, Standard ISO 9001 as well as Environment Management by Standard 14001 by APCER
- 2005 Introduction of the robotic in the manufacturing process
- 2007 Join the program Compro o que é nosso
- 2008 Introduction of the Antibacterial Protection on Proflex knife handles
Company Profile
Formed as a company in 1945, the business counted on its heritage and tradition to maintain the commitment it had taken on – to offer the market quality products and service nationally and internationally.
Since the early days ICEL has invested in strategic and sustainable growth and in 1973 began exports to demanding markets like the United States, Canada, Australia, Sweden and Denmark and nowadays is represented in 80 countries on several continents.
This success is due to important factors like the capacity of evaluating and responding efficiently to the different market requirements, thus developing a culture of innovation in the products and materials, great flexibility in production arising from the updated technology in modernizing the processes and a constant concern for qualifying everyone who is a part of the company.
Nowadays the company has a staff of almost 200 people, produces 3.2 million items intended for the household and professional sectors and the turnover is close to € 9,000,000 a year, with 80% of this amount being exports. It is a national leader in the domestic and professional cutlery sector.
Mission
ICEL’s mission is customer satisfaction as a supplier of quality cutlery products intended for the domestic and international markets guaranteeing competitive prices and delivery times in accordance with their expectations.
