Constremac to invest US$ 26.5 million to enhance fleet
Valor Econômico
The construction arm of the Copabo group, Constremac plans to invest R$ 45 million (US$ 26.5 million) in the next two years in a new fleet of state-of-the-art equipment dedicated to port works - niche in which it bet since its creation, 10 years ago, and which became the apple of the eyes of the group. Today, Constremac is already responsible for 60% of the earnings of the company, which estimates closing the year at R$ 300 million (US$ 176.5 million). For 2011, it is projected R$ 350 million (US$ 205.9 million), with the company keeping its share.
One of the machines the company is ordering is an assemblage for the sinking of piles in the water. It is a barge - made in Brazil - equipped with a crane with a capacity to hoist 270 tons and a hammer for the sinking of 55 meters, both imported. Taken as one of the most modern, the system will sink up to seven at metal piles a day - on average, nearly 250% more than a conventional system. With its own fleet - which should be in operation by February -, the Santos-based company gains competitiveness to dispute works.
The company currently has works in several ports of the country in its portfolio. One is the duplication of the salt terminal of Areia Branca (RN). It is also taking part in the construction of a shipyard in Guarujá (SP). In the medium term, Constremac wants to increase the portfolio and it sees business opportunities in areas such as oil and gas, which are growing, but it points out that the focus today is the port.
The Copabo group was founded 42 years ago and it started its operations as a retailer of rubber and plastic products for the car, domestic and industrial lines. It became, for instance, the distributor of Goodyear industrial hoses and belts. Today, besides Constremac, it includes companies like Copabo Indústria e Comércio and Copabo Infraestrutura Marítima.