Our Story | Torres Novas 1845

The Companhia Nacional de Fiação e Tecidos de Torres Novas (National Spinning and Weaving Company of Torres Novas) was founded on October 2, 1845, in the town of Torres Novas, by a group of merchants from Lisbon, wishing to become independent of imports.

Companhia de Torres Novas

In its first years, the company focused mainly on spinning linen, jute and cotton, as well as the production of cotton canvas, predominantly for the national market. At the end of the 19th century, it was already one of the largest manufacturing companies in Portugal.

With the acquisition of the company in 1959 by António Medeiros e Almeida, the Companhia de Torres Novas went through a significant modernization process and international promotion. In 1972 it began the manufacture of bath towels and other terry cloth products, such as bathrobes and slippers, thus beginning to take control of the entire production process, from production of cotton yard to final product.

Companhia de Torres Novas

As one of the first terry cloth production lines in Portugal, the Companhia de Torres Novas quickly became a reference in the manufacture of bath towels. The Torres Novas brand established itself as the most well-known Portuguese bath towel brand, recognized for its high quality manufacturing process, the use of the best raw materials and the Almonda, Luxus and Elegance designs, as well as several creative designs and other articles. At this point it also became available at traditional high-end Portuguese home product retailers.

Torres Novas Weaving

With the arrival of the new millennium, the Company began to suffer from foreign competition and the disappearance of important clients, caused by the financial crisis of 2008, ultimately closing in 2011.

In 2020, a new generation relaunches the “Torres Novas” brand with the support of a historic shareholder and former director of the Companhia de Torres Novas, Adolfo de Lima Mayer, building on the brand’s legacy and acquired know-how since the foundation of the factory in the 19th century, maintaining the quality and design characteristics that have always characterized the brand, whilst seeking to adapt to the needs of the modern consumer. The goal remains the same as always: to offer high quality products that span generations.

Torres Novas Label