More than a company , we are business partners.
Our story
The Roots of Manuel “Cadelrei”
The Manuel Sousa Nunes, Lda. was founded in 1965 on Pico Island, the result of the entrepreneurial vision and determination of its founder, known to all as Manuel “Cadelrei”.
With his inseparable straw hat and tireless spirit, Manuel “Cadelrei” began humbly, always “smiling,” as he recalled in an interview with the local newspaper. He started working by picking grapes, then weeding, and soon realized that the secret was in seizing opportunities. With courage, he began selling wine, and over time, he earned the community’s trust and paved the way for new businesses.
The First Businesses
Even before the company officially took shape, he had already made his mark on the island's traditional trade: first with the grocery and tavern of “Cadelrei.” Alongside these activities, he imported Cryptomeria wood from São Miguel and even managed vineyards and produced spirits. He was also known for helping neighbors and customers with loans given solely “on word of honor,” often functioning as a true community bank.
The Turning Point in the 1990s
In the 1990s, an opportunity arose that changed the course of the company: taking on the responsibility for food distribution, at a time when there was a great need for this service on the island. They started with a borrowed van but quickly grew, acquiring their own vehicles and expanding the client network. The company grew and consolidated, diversifying its business areas to meet local needs.
A Regional Reference
Today, more than six decades later, Manuel Sousa Nunes, Lda. is a regional reference in the areas of:
- Food Distribution, representando marcas nacionais e regionais de prestígio;
- Construction Materials, apoiando quem sonha e ergue novos projetos;
- Furniture and Decoration, para tornar cada espaço mais acolhedor;
- Agricultural Products, mantendo a ligação ao campo e às raízes;
- Accommodation, mais recentemente, proporcionando estadias de conforto e
Future with Roots
Despite its evolution, the company maintains the family and community spirit that was at its origin. The closeness to clients, the dedication to serving with quality, and the ability to reinvent itself are today the same values that drove Manuel “Cadelrei” when, with a smile and faith in his work, he began this journey.
With eyes on the future, Manuel Sousa Nunes, Lda. continues to invest in modernizing services, sustainability, and diversifying its offerings, always faithful to the mission of supporting families, businesses, and visitors.
More than a company, we are part of Pico Island's history. We have grown with our community and will continue to serve it with the same dedication, trust, and forward-looking vision that have defined us since 1965.
Our essence
Mission
To serve with closeness, trust, and quality, offering complete solutions for those who build, cultivate, furnish, provide food, or seek accommodation on Pico Island.
Vision
To continue growing with the community, maintaining a family identity and adapting to modern times, with usefulness and versatility.
Values
Our actions are based on three fundamental pillars: trust, built over more than 60 years of strong relationships; closeness, through direct and genuine contact with our clients; and versatility, providing practical solutions adapted to the various areas in which we operate.
Responsibility and Sustainability
Manuel Sousa Nunes, Lda. has been an active and deeply rooted presence in the social fabric of Pico Island since 1965. For over six decades, we have contributed to the region’s autonomy and resilience, supporting those who work in agriculture, construction, commerce, and local small businesses.
We value what is ours: the products, the knowledge, and the people. Our responsibility is reflected in maintaining an accessible, reliable, and locally adapted offering—whether through construction materials that shape new projects, agricultural products that strengthen local production, food goods that reach every family, or furniture and decoration solutions that make each space more comfortable.
More recently, we have extended this commitment to the tourism sector, offering authentic stays that reflect Azorean hospitality and contribute to a sustainable experience for our visitors.
Growing together with the community is, for us, the true path to a sustainable future—respecting the history, the people, and the land that welcomes us.
