Geoplan increases businesses with resumption of shipyards
Valor Econômico
The already started process of resumption of the Brazilian naval industry is encouraging the arising of a series of new services aimed at the catering of shipyards, among which is the treatment of the air. Besides providing more comfortable conditions to workers, the service seeks to protect the huge pieces of equipment from the processes of corrosion that are common to the hot and wet environments where shipyards are normally located.
With an eye on such a niche, Geoplan Brasil began in September this year the treatment of the air of the shipyard Estaleiro Atlântico Sul, located in the Port of Suape, in Pernambuco. The company, controlled by American private equity fund Nexus Partners, saw the opportunity three years ago and wants to control this market, according to its president, Paulo Chescin.
According to Chescin, Geoplan began working as soon as Vale and Petrobras announced the intention of renewing their fleets of ships and were followed by the Government that spoke of a resumption of the national industry which was practically stopped for more than 20 years. "It was then that we identified the opportunity", said the Executive, for eight years in the company, specialist in infrastructure solutions.
Chescin explained the idea of the company is to offer temperature control solutions to shipyards, which is not restricted only to refrigeration, but the permanent control of temperature and humidity of the work environment. The Executive also pointed out that the air refreshing should be included in the regulating rule that will specifically address the working conditions in the shipbuilding industry.
For the current levels of service, Geoplan had to invest R$ 5 million (US$ 2.9 million), most of it intended for the purchase of temperature control equipment manufactured by the Swedish company Munters. The perspective, however, is to invest at least ten times more. Besides the demand of the very Atlântico Sul, the company wants to be present in the centers of Rio Grande do Sul and Rio de Janeiro, in addition closing new contracts with new shipyards that should get installed in the Northeast. "We are carrying out negotiations. We believe the demand will require R$ 50 million (US$ 29.1 million) in investments. The demand of the pre-salt layer alone is already huge, besides the mining sector. Brazil is moving towards having international class shipyards", said Chescin.