Nutrin invests in commercial area to grow 18%
Valor Econômico 03/31/2009
In spite of selling less than expected last year, due to the new economic scenario, the collective meals company Nutrin expects growing 18% in 2009. "The greatest crisis for us was that from the beginning of 2008", says Aderbal Nogueira, managing officer of the company, referring to the impact of the increase in the prices of the agricultural commodities on the costs of the sector. With nearly 250 clients, Nutrin sold R$ 115 million (US$ 62.8 million) in 2008, 15% more than in 2007. The initial goal, however, was to get to R$ 120 million (US$ 65.6 million). The difference, according to Nogueira, was a reflex of the layoffs of the last quarter, mainly in the car sector, which represents 12% in the portfolio of Nutrin. But the performance of February and March helps to strengthen the perspective that the worse has already gone.
With an eye on the containment of costs, companies are making more price surveys for the services. And it is at such time that Nogueira believes that it can take advantage over the large companies of the sector, because it has a lower administrative cost. To meet this demand, the company plans to launch, in April, a cheaper product - "that offers excellent rice, bean and steak, without much glamour", he says. In addition to this, he is reinforcing the commercial area. Nutrin, which has its headquarter in Americana (SP), will open regional offices in São Paulo, Rio and Uberlândia. It will also have a specific employee to cater to the North and Northeast regions, regions in which it is still not present (with the exception of Bahia) and it sees good opportunities. To provide support to the growth he foresees for the year, he estimates he should hire 350 employees. Nogueira affirms he is negotiating a R$ 10 million (US$ 4.35 million) BNDES (National Development Bank) loan, to finance the expansion. Half of the money will be intended for investments (in logistics, technology, and in the commercial and operational areas) and the other half, for working capital. Also according to the plans of expansion of the activities, he says they are near the end of the negotiations he has been keeping to take over the portfolio of a smaller size rival company in Minas Gerais.