French building automation specialist Somfy has officially inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in Felgueiras, northern Portugal, as part of its strategy to expand production capacity and strengthen its international supply chain. The 25,000-square-metre plant, inaugurated on 15 October 2026, currently employs 80 people, with the workforce expected to increase to 125 by the end of 2027. At full capacity, the facility could accommodate up to 700 employees and become one of the group’s three largest manufacturing sites.
The project was launched in 2022, with production operations commencing ahead of the official opening. The investment forms part of Somfy’s efforts to distribute manufacturing activities across its international industrial network, which includes operations in Europe, North America and Asia.
According to Portuguese business publication ECO, the company expects to manufacture approximately 250,000 motors at the Felgueiras facility in 2026. Somfy has outlined a longer-term target of up to four million motors annually within five to six years, although Chief Operating Officer Bruno Stragliati emphasised that the pace of expansion would depend on international market demand. The company has not disclosed the total investment volume.
Manufacturing expansion supports supply chain diversification
The Felgueiras plant manufactures motorised drive systems for building automation applications, including the established LT50 tubular motor for roller shutters. Production has also been introduced for the J4S io Protect, a radio-controlled drive for external Venetian blinds. Felgueiras is the second Somfy manufacturing location producing this model.
The additional European manufacturing capacity is intended to improve supply continuity and enable the group to respond more flexibly to customer requirements. Somfy Group CEO Sébastien Picot identified supply chain reliability and consistent delivery performance as key considerations behind the investment.
The selection of Felgueiras also reflects regional industrial conditions. According to Portuguese media reports, the company considered access to skilled labour, transport connections, nearby universities and local infrastructure when choosing the location. The facility is situated in the Alto das Barrancas industrial area in northern Portugal.
Energy and resource efficiency integrated into factory operations
Somfy has incorporated several energy and resource management technologies into the facility, including rooftop photovoltaic installations, free-cooling systems and water recovery measures. A centralised building management system monitors heating, ventilation, lighting and other technical installations, allowing energy consumption to be tracked and operational settings adjusted.
The measures form part of Somfy’s wider environmental strategy. By 2030, the group aims to reduce emissions from its own operations by 50% compared with 2019 levels. It has also established a target to halve value-chain emissions per motor sold over the same period. Specific energy savings or verified emissions reductions for the Felgueiras facility have not yet been published.
The plant’s future contribution to Somfy’s manufacturing network will depend on the planned production ramp-up and the development of international demand. Its opening marks a further investment in European manufacturing infrastructure, combining additional industrial capacity with measures intended to improve operational and resource efficiency.
