09/12/2014 17h31

VCI Molde will make components for wind generators in plant in São Paulo

Unit being built in Itupeva received investments totaling R$ 6 million, creating 80 jobs; the project is being assisted by Investe São Paulo

Investe São Paulo

VCI Molde, manufacturer of Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics made products– announced on Thursday, August 13, the construction of a plant in Itupeva, 73 km from the state capital. The unit, which will have 80 employees in total, will produce, starting in October this year, fiberglass nacelles, which are fairings of wind generators.

The purpose of the new plant, built in partnership between the Brazilian company Molde and the Canadian company VCI, is to nationalize the production of items that are currently being imported, locally providing to both the existing customer base and new markets. Choosing the city of Itupeva was strategic, since the city is located next to some of the main buyers of the product.

The R$ 6 million investment relied on the support of Investe São Paulo, the State Government investment promotion agency linked to the Secretariat of Economic Development, Science, Technology and Innovation. "Molde has 29 years of history in the state of São Paulo, producing several products made of fiberglass. The project for the nationalization of products in the wind sector is handled with priority by Investe SP. We have assisted the construction of the plant mainly with regard to environmental licensing and tax advice," said the agency president, Luciano Almeida.

“In addition to the new plant, we will also increase the production in São José dos Campos, so that both plants produce complementary components for the wind energy industry. The plant located in Itupeva will produce larger parts, while the plant in São José dos Campos will produce smaller parts,” said Luiz Tesser Antunes, director of the plant.

It is estimated that VCI Molde shall produce between 250 and 350 parts per year in 2015, with gradual increases in the operation: 5% more in the first year and 10% more in the second. The new plant, which has 4,000 square meters, was built on an area covering 12,000 square meters. That is because the company intends to expand the production in the future. In 2015, the revenues of the plant are expected to reach R$ 20 million.

About Molde

Molde is an industry of products made of FRP - Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics, operating in the market since 1985. Headquartered in São José dos Campos on an area covering 54,000 square meters, the company works on projects including industries, water parks, food and wind generators plants. The company is one of the few in the world capable of developing and manufacturing the structural parts of these generators in fiberglass.