Who we are / Quem Somos

Palissy Galvani

The oldest Portuguese trade company of the electrical sector

Company Foundation

In 1895 a group of partners initiates the story of the oldest portuguese electrical equipment trade company. They gave it the name of ‘Casa Palissy Galvani’.

Its manager, Guilherme F. Simões, had a simple but revolutionary business plan.

Taking advantage of the growing introduction of electricity, Casa Palissy Galvani was supplying material for various state departments, factories and private homes and, at the same time, had trained staff to be themselves installers of electric light and telephones as well as other power applications.

The 1895 sale book highlights customers lik the “Direcção dos Telegraphos e Pharoes do Reino”, the “Companhia Anglo-Portugueza de Telephones”, the “Real Fábrica da Vista Alegre”, the “Companhia da Real Fábrica de Fiação de Thomar” ot the old shipyard “Parry & Son”. Or others, outside the industry business, such as “Pombaes Militares” (military pigeons), the “Escola Prática de Engenharia”, the musicien Alfredo Keill (composer of our national hymn), the “Ministro da Rússia”, the “Conde das Galveas” or the “Club Excentrico”, with very diversified characteristics, as you can see.
 

The beginning of a new cycle

In 1945 the company was bought by its biggest supplier, Mário Pires Ferreira Chaves, by his younger son (with the same name) and by his father-in-law, Francisco Pereira de Sousa. The conditions were created to establish new partnerships with European companies, reinforcing the introduction of novelties into the domestic market in Europe's post-war reconstruction era.

This period begins to have an increasing weight on Palissy Galvani´s profile: the weight of import and representation of international brands for the portuguese market.

In 1957 a profound reconstruction work was made at Palissy’s Head Office in Chiado and updated the frog (company’s symbol), now represented by a beautiful modernist sculpture in bronze, made by Jorge Vieira.

To keep up with its growth the company has leased other warehouse spaces in Chiado.

Specialization and Growth

In the last quarter of the twentieth century, Palissy Galvani was able to accelerate not only its growth but also its specialization in the industrial market area , both with products and services.

In the 90’s new facilities were acquired in Chiado, to accomodate the Head Office, and a new Logistics Center was built on the outskirts of Lisboa. With 2000m2 of covered area and 3000 m2 of total area, situated in a privileged place regarding regional and national accessibility. All the company logistics was centralized and the operationality substantially improved.

This development path continues by achieving, in 2003, the Quality Management System Certification according to NP EN ISO 9001: 2000.

 

Ancient Foundations, New Infrastructures, Attractive Challenge

In 2010, after 115 years of permanency in the elegant historic center of the capital, the whole company was concentrated on the premises of Granja - 12 Km north of Lisboa.

A quality investment was made on the premises to provide excellent working conditions for the team as well as to host Palissy Galvani’s partners - clients and suppliers.

It is now possible to expand our range offer, improve the proximity to customers, enhance internal and external technical training, improve service quality, in short, do more and do better.

We celebrate 120 years in 2015!

A great responsibility that gives us more enthusiasm to continue to put forward good professional solutions. The ones of our brands.