11/25/2008 14h56
Logistics makes investments and bets in resumption after May
DCI 11/25/2008
The logistics companies continue investing in infrastructure in the Brazilian market, as they believe on the trend pointed by professionals of the sector that, in the Country, there will be demand, especially domestic demand, for logistics in 2009, with vigor from May on, when the crisis should start dissipating. AGV Logística, for example, announced the inauguration of three branch offices in order to cater to new clients, besides having eight projects underway, while the Columbia Group joined the Júlio D'Ávila Group to increase the operations in the South of the Country. And the local branch of the European Panalpina sees good opportunities in the national market. "After May, the market will start heating up again, and we will be focused on the domestic logistics, covering the entire national demand, through the 14 branches of the company", analyzed Cristiano Koga, commercial officer of Panalpina Brasil. Even with the uncertainties that surround the market in the next months and the possibility of slowing down, Panalpina has the expectation of growing two digits in 2009. Specialized in logistics and freight forwarding, through air and sea, the operator also offers door-to-door services. Worldwide, it has 500 other units, divided through nearly 90 countries. In Brazil, it has 14 branch offices. Another company to bet in the domestic market is AGV Logística, which announced the opening of three new branches: one in the city of Jundiaí, in São Paulo, and two in the Northeast, in the capital cities of Recife and Maceió, amounting to more than 10 thousand square meters of storage. The company confirms it has another eight projects in progress. In September, AGV had already overcome the goal of 70% of growth, which allowed a review that suggests 130% branches, achieving sales of R$ 230 million (US$ 102.22 million) in 2008. On its turn, the Columbia Group joined the Interporti Logística, a company of the Júlio D'Ávila Group, in order to start a new operation in Santa Catarina, which will receive investments of more than R$ 17 million (US$ 7.75 million) in 2009. Nivaldo Tuba, president of Columbia, said that the "partnership allows the company to increase its operations in the South of the Country, besides integrating its operations in region of Itajaí", referring to the local port area that is also near the port and the airport of Navegantes. Next year, Columbia plans an investment of R$ 10 million (US$ 4.44 million) in the expansion of the wharf. With that, it will gain another 150 meters in the structure installed in Itajaí, besides improving the yard and purchasing equipment.
