Embraer has broke ground on a new manufacturing facility at Evora in Portugal.

The 15,000m2 facility will manufacture complex airframe structures and components in composite materials.

The €48m unit will also sustain and develop competencies by creating a network with local organisations, potential suppliers, research centres and universities.

Embraer president and CEO Frederico Fleury Curado said the new unit is a strategic step towards improving the firm’s productivity and competitiveness.

The facility will be completed by end of 2011.