After focusing my studies on the Automotive Industry, I started my career in 1981 at Styria/Impormol. During the 28 years that I dedicated to this company that welcomed and trained me, I went from the maintenance department to engineering and quality. It was in the production area of this Portuguese-German Tier 1 company, manufacturer of springs for the largest European manufacturers, (Mercedes, Volvo, Scania, VW, Ford, Peugeot; Renault and others) where I formed a base team of 95 employees, to the manufacture of helical springs, electrocoat painting, as well as the installation in Portugal of the first 2 ABB welding robots…In 1991 I was recruited by PPG, an American multinational, to lead the introduction of the first Single Sourcing in the automotive industry in Europe at Opel Portugal (General Motors). The success of this project was a stepping stone for other companies such as Autoeuropa, and many other factories in Europe. I also led robotic water-based painting training at Auto Europa, Opel. I took on the role of Country Manager at PPG for Ford and Opel in Portugal. I was a consultant for several factories in Europe and Renault Brasil. It was at PSA Spain, Vigo factory as Country Manager of PPG in 2007 that I decided to successfully abandon the automobile industry. And that is how, at the end of 2007, I created, together with two fellow Opel directors, SEM IR, Lda (Industrial and Residential Engineering and Maintenance Systems). Today, this SME is a national reference in the areas of Engineering and Renewable Energy. With 25 direct employees and a huge number of Residential and Business clients involving all sectors of the economy, SEM IR is in the expansion and development phase with all the inherent challenges.