Episode 12 | Stories Worth Telling… with Sylvie Rocha and Hugo Castro

In episode 12, we spoke with Sylvie Rocha, Training and Development Manager at Riopele, and Hugo Castro, Sales Manager at the company for the past 16 years.

How did you meet?

Hugo Castro: We met at Riopele, and during our first conversations we realized we had mutual friends, so that coincidence brought us closer.

Sylvie Rocha: Exactly. At the time, I was studying in Vila do Conde and doing an internship at Riopele, and that was when we started getting to know each other better.

What is it like to work at Riopele?

Hugo Castro: Working at Riopele means being part of a company with a strong tradition and international recognition in the sector. If I may use an analogy, it’s like playing in the Champions League every day: stimulating, demanding, and challenging.

Sylvie Rocha: For me, working at Riopele is challenging in the best sense of the word. It means feeling that we are part of a great company, with a strong focus on innovation, quality, and sustainability. But above all, I identify with how close the company is to its people.

Who talks more about work at home?

Hugo Castro: It really depends on the phase we are in. When we are involved in more demanding projects, it’s inevitable that work comes up at home, but I think we manage to keep a balance and switch off when needed.

Sylvie Rocha: That’s exactly it: balance. We both work at the same company, although in completely different departments. While we are at Riopele, we give our best, but when we leave, we try to disconnect and focus on what matters most: family.

Even so, Riopele is inevitably part of our home and our family life. As a result, our children, who are still very young, already know the names of the fabrics and the markets Riopele works with, and they love visiting the company and meeting our colleagues.

What do you expect from Riopele’s centenary?

Hugo Castro: I hope it will be a remarkable moment of celebration and recognition of the great company Riopele is and of its entire journey.

Sylvie Rocha: I also hope it will be a moment of celebration for all the people who have been part of Riopele and for those who continue to be part of this story.

If you could choose one word to describe Riopele, what would it be?

Hugo Castro: Commitment. Because I believe that, over the years, Riopele has shown a continuous commitment to sustainability, quality, and above all, to its clients and its people.

Sylvie Rocha: Resilience. Because of Riopele’s ability to adapt and reinvent itself.