Votorantim purchases terminal in Antwerp
Valor Econômico - 01/17/2008
Last week, Votorantim acquired a maritime terminal in the port of Antwerp, Belgium, from the Westerlund Company, specialized in the operation of port loads, for a non-disclosed value. The transaction also involves three warehouses with a total area of 24.3 thousand square meters in addition to a contract for the use of 11 thousand meters of wharf and the rendering of services for the handling of products by the Belgian Westerlund. Votorantim decided to reposition its logistic plan in order to cater to Europe. "The group's exportation volume to Europe may more than double up to 2012", affirmed Votorantim International's director of logistics Sergio Fonseca. It is expected that the group reaches more than 2.2 million tons in products exported to Europe. The international area of the group had already centered the operations of sea freights of the industrial units of Votorantim in 2006. As a great producer of commodities, with several plans for the increase of the capacity and acquisitions in progress, Votorantim exports principally zinc, nickel, aluminum, orange juice and cellulose to Europe. Behind this transaction, the group foresees centralizing the receipt of its main products exported from Brazil and its international transactions to Europe. There, Votorantim will keep a distribution center, with stocks, transport and rendering of services to its clients.