Fenabel

Fenabel is a Portuguese manufacturer of chairs, armchairs and tables for restaurants, hotels and contract interiors. The family’s furniture-making heritage began in 1907 in Rebordosa, near Porto, while the Fenabel brand was established in 1992 to develop the company internationally. Today, wooden restaurant chairs, upholstered armchairs, bar stools, lounge furniture and tables by Fenabel are specified for hospitality and contract projects around the world.

Fenabel — Portuguese chairs and furniture for restaurants, hotels and contract projects

Fenabel is a Portuguese manufacturer specialising primarily in seating: chairs, armchairs, lounge models and bar stools, complemented by tables, benches and other furniture for professional interiors. The company operates predominantly in the B2B sector and develops furniture for restaurants, hotels, cafés, public spaces, workplaces, healthcare and senior living environments.

Wood remains a defining material across many Fenabel collections. The company combines Portuguese woodworking craftsmanship with modern manufacturing technologies, upholstery expertise and extensive customisation options, allowing models to be adapted to a specific interior concept or contract specification.

Fenabel heritage: three generations of chairmaking in Portugal

The company’s story begins in 1907 in Rebordosa, a small town in the Porto district, where Abel Leite and Elias Dias produced chairs almost entirely by hand. The two family histories later came together when the craftsmen’s children, Mário Leite and Rosa Dias, married in 1959 and continued the furniture-making tradition.

In 1977, Mário Leite modernised production and expanded its capabilities. In 1992, he created the Fenabel brand with the aim of entering international markets. The name Fenabel derives from the names of his sons, Fernando and Abel. Spain became the company’s first export market, followed by a gradual expansion into other countries.

In 2003, the brand adopted the slogan The Heart of Seating, reflecting its core specialisation in seating. Fenabel remains a family-owned company today, backed by three generations of Portuguese furniture-making experience.

Made in Portugal: an in-house manufacturing cycle

Fenabel manufactures its furniture in Rebordosa, one of Portugal’s traditional centres of woodworking and furniture production. The company’s modern manufacturing facility covers approximately 12,000 m² and is equipped for the serial production of high-quality contract furniture.

The main production cycle is carried out in-house, from product development and component manufacturing to assembly, finishing and upholstery. CNC machinery, automated finishing systems, SolidWorks, production-planning technologies and LEAN principles are integrated into the manufacturing process.

Technology, however, does not replace craftsmanship where manual expertise determines the final quality. Wood finishing, material selection, upholstery and detailed finishing remain central to Fenabel’s manufacturing culture.

Design and international collaborations

Fenabel develops its collections in collaboration with Portuguese and international designers. Its partners include Archirivolto, Aitor García de Vicuña, CarlesiTonelli, Studio Yonoh, Studio Segers, Santiago Sevillano Studio, Pablo Regaño, Muka Design Lab, Sara Elizagarate, Republic of II by IV, as well as Portuguese designers André Costa and João Viveiros.

The Ondina collection by CarlesiTonelli is defined by flowing lines and balanced proportions, making it particularly suitable for restaurant and dining environments. Nebula by Studio Yonoh combines a sculptural identity with the comfort required for everyday use in hotels, restaurants and lounge areas.

Kai and Nur, designed by Aitor García de Vicuña, feature restrained geometry and were conceived as complementary collections for different functional areas within the same project. Nova Lounge by Canadian studio Republic of II by IV is aimed at hotel lobbies, lounge spaces and waiting areas, where comfort during longer stays is especially important.

Fenabel for restaurants and hotels

Within the contract sector, Fenabel gives equal consideration to aesthetics, ergonomics and durability. This is particularly important in restaurants and hotels, where furniture must withstand intensive everyday use, remain comfortable over extended periods and support the overall interior concept.

The range includes restaurant chairs, armchairs, lounge seating, bar stools, benches, poufs, luggage racks, dining tables and occasional tables. Many models are available in a broad selection of timber finishes, fabrics and other materials, allowing one consistent design language to be carried across several areas of a restaurant or hotel.

Fenabel furniture has been specified in international hospitality projects including The Refinery in London, 20 Stories restaurant in Manchester, La Cueva D1900 in Marbella, hotel and restaurant interiors in Barcelona, and Danubius Hotel in Budapest. These references illustrate the brand’s strong orientation towards professional interiors with demanding levels of daily use.

Materials, quality and certified manufacturing

Wood remains one of Fenabel’s principal materials, complemented by metal, textiles, natural cane and other materials depending on the collection. For professional projects, the manufacturer offers a wide range of upholstery and finish options, giving designers considerable freedom to adapt furniture to the colour and material palette of an interior.

Fenabel’s quality management system is certified to ISO 9001, while its environmental management system complies with ISO 14001. PEFC Chain of Custody certification provides traceability for timber originating from responsibly managed forests.

The company is also a Sedex member and undergoes SMETA auditing, covering responsible business practices, working conditions and relevant social standards throughout the supply chain.

Sustainability and circular design

Fenabel approaches sustainability as part of the entire manufacturing process rather than simply as a choice of materials. Solar panels are installed on its production buildings, industrial emissions are filtered and treated, and transport packaging uses recyclable materials.

The company’s Zero Waste of Wood principle focuses on reusing timber wherever possible: production offcuts are given a second or third life as components or as an energy resource. Fenabel also offers fabrics made from recycled and more responsibly sourced materials for projects where sustainability forms part of the interior specification.

Fenabel stands for:

• a Portuguese chairmaking tradition dating back to 1907
• the Fenabel brand established in 1992 for international markets
• a family-owned company with three generations of experience
• in-house Made in Portugal production in Rebordosa, near Porto
• a modern manufacturing facility of approximately 12,000 m²
• specialisation in wooden chairs, armchairs, lounge seating, bar stools and tables
• collaborations with Archirivolto, Studio Yonoh, CarlesiTonelli, Aitor García de Vicuña and other international designers
• ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and PEFC Chain of Custody certifications
• Sedex membership and SMETA auditing
• contract solutions for restaurants, hotels, lounge areas and public spaces