Dutch company ACE opens Porto office

Dutch technology company ACE, which specialises in several areas, including engineering consultancy, regulatory change management in the financial sector, and automotive industry collaboration, opened its first office in Portugal today (Monday May 27) in Porto.

The company, which offers services in industrial automation, construction technology, high-tech systems, automotive engineering, and product development, will be headed in Portugal by Simão Carvalho.

The opening ceremony for the new office included the presence of the ambassador of the Netherlands to Portugal, Margriet Leemhuis.

Simão Carvalho, who has been with the company since 2018, told the business daily Negócios said he had felt “an immediate link with the culture of the organisation and people” and that Portugal was becoming “increasingly more attractive for companies and overseas investors”.

With seven offices in four countries employing 300 engineers, “the decision by ACE to open in Portugal, and more specifically in Porto, was a strategic decision for several reasons”, said Simão Carvalho.

“On the one hand, Portugal offers a rapidly growing technological ecosystem, with excellent universities and highly qualified professionals in the areas of engineering, software and innovation. In addition, Portugal is becoming increasingly attractive to foreign companies and investors,” he added.

All relevant reasons for the Dutch company, but on the other hand it strengthens the international dynamic and character of the ecosystem enabling it to “collaborate with other innovative players that have also chosen Portugal as a base”, he continued.

ACE Portugal will take on 50 engineers over the next three years including mechanical and electrical engineers.