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Since Portobello was founded in 1979 in the city of Tijucas in Santa Catarina, Brazil, the company has linked itself with the idea of technological innovation - the element differentiating Portobello from other national companies and fundamental for international competitiveness.

Initial production was for the internal market and the main product was called "verdão" flooring. The line was composed of two glazes, with some variations.

Combined with the discovery of new raw materials, research pointed to a new segment: ceramic flooring capable of supporting heavy loads, while at the same time being easy to clean and attractive.

Then Portobello developed the first line of drip glaze flooring for high traffic in Brazil and one of the first in the world. The line was called "Carga Pesada" - Heavy Load, inspired by a Brazilian television serial by the same name.

Since then the company has grown rapidly, solidly and in a planned way, which can be seen by the following chronology.

The growth of Portobello

• 1977 - Construction of Cerâmica Portobello begins in the town of Tijucas (SC).

• 1979 - Production begins at Cerâmica Portobello.

• 1980 - Team: 250 employees.

• 1981 - The begin of exports. The opening of the first branch in Sao Paulo.

• 1982 - The substitution of LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) for coal gas.
  The first computer is installed - a Labo 8032 (64kb of memory)
  Adec is founded.

• 1983 - Team: 624 employees.
  The company participates in its first international trade fair, in Parana.
  Mineral deposits are found in the regions of Dr. Pedrinho, Campo Alegre and São Bento do Sul (SC).

• 1984 - The "Carga Pesada" line is launched: intensive marketing campaign.
  CCQ is created - Quality Control Circles.

• 1987 - The production plant is expanded, raising production to 1 million square meters a month.
  The start of a partnership with the Brazilian agency Senai: technical courses for ceramics workers and industrial mechanics.

• 1988 - Employees pass the one-thousand mark.
  The first participation in a trade fair in Bologna, Italy.

• 1989 - The creation of the Technical Department.

• 1990 - Portobello America is created.
  Twelve new branches open, in the states of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and the Northeast of Brazil.

• 1992 - A pioneer in the marketing of "porcelanato" in Brazil, in partnership as an importer from the Italian company Graniti Fiandre.
  Portobello pioneers Belpoint technology.

• 1993 – The water treatment station, built at the founding of the company, becomes 100% functional, with the residues separated and reused and the water is purified.

• 1994 – Team: 1,269 employees.
  Production rises to 1.25 million square meters per month
  ISO 9002 certification gained.

• 1995 – Production rises to 1.5 million square meters per month.
  'Gres' style production begins.

• 1996 – Porcellanato polishing introduced.

• 1997 – Portobello wins the 'Catarinense' Design award.
  Portobello enters the Mercosur market.

• 1998 – Team: 1,444 employees.
  Portfolio has more than 1,000 products.
  The beginning of the Portobello Shop franchising system.

• 2000 – Portobello moves all production to natural gas.
  Porcellanato production unit built.

• 2001 – Team: 1,512 employees, with 5,600 indirectly employed.
  Distinction in the region for Social Action for the local community.

• 2002 – Portobello awarded ISO 9001/2000 certification.

• 2003 – The entire production plant now fueled by natural gas.

• 2004 – Portobello exports to more than 65 countries on five continents.