In a statement released, the company says that last year its performance was “affected by an international context marked by geopolitical instability and macroeconomic uncertainty, with the intensification of conflicts in the Middle East, the continuing war in Ukraine and the worsening of global trade tensions having a direct impact on sales”.

“In this context, the Middle East (-47%) and Central Europe (-14%) markets recorded the largest declines, reflecting these regions’ high exposure to political volatility, the downturn in public and private investment, and the economic slowdown,” it explains.

In contrast, the domestic market grew by 5%, and the German market grew by 2%.

In 2025, exports by OLI – which claims to be the leading manufacturer of flush valves in Southern Europe – accounted for around 70% of the company’s turnover, with sales to more than 80 countries on five continents.

Despite the international context “marked by macroeconomic volatility and geopolitical risk,” OLI says it entered 2026 “with a strategy based on international expansion through mergers and acquisitions.”

Another strategic focus is “innovation, with the launch of new products” and “operational efficiency, through process automation and the digitalisation of the organisation”.

The goal is to “strengthen economic value creation and support medium- and long-term growth.”

Quoted in the statement, OLI director António Ricardo Oliveira points to the “significant challenges” faced by the company commercially last year, “resulting from the adjustment of stocks at strategic customers and the sharp contraction in sales to regions currently affected by conflicts.”

The director points out, however, that the company expects to return this year “to a trajectory of sales growth, supported by the realisation of internationalisation opportunities under development, as well as by the continuous analysis of potential partnerships and acquisitions”.

OLI’s plans also include maintaining a “high and consistent level” of investment, “focusing on production automation, simplification and digitisation of processes and, across the board, strengthening the use of artificial intelligence and business intelligence”.

“These investments are considered critical to ensuring the productivity gains necessary to meet market demands,” says Ricardo Oliveira.

OLI produces 2 million flush valves and 3 million mechanisms annually, operating on a continuous production basis, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.