Gestamp to announce new plant to cater to makers in SP
Valor Econômico
The Spanish steel industry Gestamp is preparing for next year the setting up of its fourth plant in Brazil, in the São Paulo city of Santa Isabel, 50 kilometers from the capital. A letter of intent for the implementation of the new undertaking, in an investment of R$ 125 million (US$ 73.5 million), will be signed today at noon by and between representatives of the company and of the São Paulo Agency for the Promotion of Investments and Competitiveness (Investe São Paulo). Among those attending the ceremony will be the São Paulo Secretary of Development, Luciano Almeida, the President of Investe São Paulo, Mario Mugnaini Jr., the CFO of Gestamp, Sérgio Luiz Cordeiro, and the Managing Officer of the Taubaté unit, Oswaldo Grilli Filho. "We have been talking for a year and our concern was installing it at a place near a ‘just in time' supplier", says Mugnaini Jr. Gestamp will be the supplier of metal items.
The 200 thousand square meter plot is near the Dutra highway and the earthmoving works have already started. The site chosen will allow the company to cater to General Motors, located in São José dos Campos, Honda, in Sumaré (SP), and Volkswagen and Ford, with plants in São Bernardo do Campo (SP), São Carlos (SP) and Taubaté (SP). "Gestamp will meet the increase in the production of the car making circle in State of São Paulo", says Mugnaini Jr. According to the President of Investe São Paulo, the State should increase its share in the domestic production of cars from the current 50% to 51% in 2013, considering the entrance of Hyundai in Piracicaba (SP), and the Chinese Chery in Jacareí (SP), and the enlargement of Toyota in Sorocaba (SP).
The Spanish Gestamp began operating in Brazil in 1998 and it is present in the cities of São José dos Pinhais (PR), Taubaté (SP) and Gravataí (RS). The new 25 thousand square meter plant will employ 400 people. It is expected R$ 200 million (US$ 117.6 million) of annual earnings.
To get installed in São Paulo, the company will be released from the payment of State Sales and Services Tax on the purchase of machinery and equipment. According to Mugnaini Jr., it is being agreed with the Municipal Government of Santa Isabel a grace period for the payment of the Urban Property Tax (IPTU). The Government of São Paulo also undertakes to facilitate the work of the company with the Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo (Cetesb) in obtaining the installation license for the plant, speeding up the process. It is estimated that the project of the plant be ready within six months and in seven it be possible to obtain the environmental installation license, allowing the company to start producing at the end of 2011.