Independent autoparts manufacturer foresees 25% growth
DCI
The independent manufacturers of autoparts foresee an increase of up to 25% in the business in 2010. Part of a chain that operates nearly R$ 60 billion (US$ 32.4 billion) a year, formed by manufacturers, distributors, retailers and garages, the sector takes advantage of the benefits of the evolution of the national fleet that already amounted to 27.8 million vehicles in circulation last year - a 38% increase since 2000. Besides, consumers have chosen to stay longer with their cars, in view of the tendency of depreciation.
The fact is that even with the financial crisis, the segment grew 5% in 2009, although the exports are responsible for more than 10% of the autoparts sold by the more than 2 thousand independent manufacturers in the Country. Renato Fonseca, President of the National Association of Autoparts Manufacturers (Anfape), explained that the market is fueled by cars with three or more years of use, when the warranty expires, and then, with the depreciation of the cars, their owners start looking for parts in the independent sector. As for the effects of the economic turbulence, the representative of the sector said that those were more visible during the first half of last year, but that the chain gradually recovered in the second half of 2009.
Besides representing the Anfape, Fonseca is the Commercial Officer of Centauro Brasil, manufacturer of car and truck body parts. The company may leap from the current 550 thousand parts sold in 2009 to nearly 660 thousand sold parts this year. Concerning the earnings, the growth may be of up to 20%. Centauro also directs the investments to the increase of the physical infrastructure, building a 7 thousand square meter warehouse and increasing the manufacturing plant. With that, the structure will go from 18 thousand to 25 thousand square meters. As for the exportation area, the company ships products to other Latin American countries, and to regions of Europe, Africa and Middle East.
Another manufacturer that is optimistic as for the market is Cofran, which increased the earnings by 10% last year and, for 2010, it believes it is possible to get to the mark of up to 25% of growth. The company that produces the so-called "visual parts", in the case of lamps and rear mirrors, currently has two manufacturing plants, but is investing in a new space. The company ships its products to Latin America, Europe and Africa.
Specialized in door handles, rubber parts and electric kits, Universal Automotive also calculates it will grow up to 25% this year, and the sale of parts should increase from 16 million to 20 million until the end of the year. Arnaldo Mamede, strategic director and director of supplies of the company, informed that Universal is investing resources in a new logistics center in Goiás. The company currently has a manufacturing plant and a distribution center. Overall, the manufacturer exports to 18 countries in the regions of Latin America, Europe, Africa and Middle East.