Merial turns country into exportation center with new plant
Valor Econômico - 01/21/2008
Manufacturer of veterinary products, Merial will put a new plant into operation, in which US$ 7 million have been invested. The plant is located at the same industrial complex Merial already has in Paulínia (SP). It will centralize the entire international line of medicine for equines. With that, two units abroad - one in the United States and another one in Holland - will be deactivated, says the company's president Alfredo Ihde. Nearly 90% of its production will be aimed at the external market. The investment is an addition to the provision of US$ 15 million the company will put into the construction of a plant aimed at the production of chewable medicines for dogs. The dog line is one of most important in the global sales of the group. The projects make the Brazilian branch of Merial gain importance in the businesses of the company and turn the country into an exportation platform. Both new plants are already being constructed pursuant with the requirements of the FDA, the agency that regulates the launch and sale of medicines and foods in the United States. That speeds the process of acquiring the license to export to the American market, says Ihde. In 2007, Merial sold R$ 316 million (US$ 179.5 million). The exportations were responsible for nearly R$ 65 million (US$ 37 million). The company's plan is to increase exportations to US$ 350 million until 2011.