History

Jean Baptiste Deffense and Pierre Van Caille sign a protocol on December 10, 1923 to produce precast concrete poles, and on March 14, 1924 the company "Poteaux Cavan" is incorporated in Anvers Belgium

Cavan quickly expands across the country with several manufacturing units being set up.

Invited by CRGE, (currently EDP), to manufacture poles, for Portugal, Jean Baptiste Deffense manufactures the first reinforced concrete poles in Portugal for an electrical grid in Sintra.

To accommodate the development of the country's electrical needs, Jean Baptiste Deffense opens a manufacturing unit in Póvoa de Sta Iria, near Lisbon, and on June 23, 1932 Sociedade Portuguesa Cavan, SA was founded.

Use of prestressing in the production of concrete columns for street lighting.

Cavan expands to Brasil. In the 60’s and 70’s for the construction of the “Aterro de Flamengo” in Rio de Janeiro, Cavan supplied 120 ilumination columns. With a height of 45m above the ground, these columns, were the vision and design of Lota de Macedo Soares and the american lighting designer Richard Kelly

6 more factories are set up in Portugal, spreading out from north to south and Cavan expands to Mozambique (1957). Angola (1970) and South Africa (1991) exporting poles to countries as far away as Macau and Timor.

Representation of Portugal in the drafting of CEN Standards for concrete poles.

Cavan wins the contract to supply and erect poles and towers up to 54m throughout the entire country, launching the mobile phone operator Telecel (Vodafone).

Contracts with Spanish electrical companies to supply Cavan HV poles.

Design, manufacture and lifting of a tower of 74.50m total height, 70.50m above the ground. On June 25, 1994 a telecommunications tower was hoisted in one piece (a world record) weighing more than 100 tons, in the Serra de São Mamede, Portalegre, for TDP (Teledifusora of Portugal).

Cavan celebrates 70 years of steady growth. Managed today by the direct descendants of its founder, Cavan is an international leader in the manufacture and design of concrete poles, exporting to the EU and Africa.

Cavan celebrates 75 years with the automation of its manufacturing units

Cavan begins supply of the first concrete poles for telecommunications.

Cavan celebrates 80 years of existence