This paper analyses the contribution made by evolutionary processes to the organisation of economic activity which is designed to create and sustain a competitive advantage, and to the competitiveness of companies in a dynamic and changing environment. The study looks at the ceramics industry sector in the Portuguese district of Aveiro, taking this as an example of change on the basis of empirical analyses of current organizational characteristics. These have resulted from centuries-long evolution and environmental adaptation and are related to the creation and sustention of a set of competitive advantages identified by top managers. They also relate to innovation, demand, knowledge, networks and co-evolution of the industry. The research concludes for the relationship between industrial evolution and competitiveness.