Sector of aluminum profiles celebrates growth in construction
DCI
The sector of construction represents today the main driver of the aluminum industry in the country. An example of the boom in the sector in 2010 is the performance of Alpex, company with two aluminum profile plants in São Paulo that registered 18% of growth in its earnings last year. According to the company, in 2009, the earnings got to R$ 165 million (US$ 83.8 million) and, in 2010, the number jumped to R$ 195 million (US$ 110.8 million). For 2011, the expectation of the company is to increase the gains in up to 4%, in accordance with the estimate of the Brazilian Government for the GDP (Gross Domestic Product). This way, Alpex should earn R$ 204 million (US$ 120 million) this year. According to the managing partner of Alpex, Paulo Magalhães, the reason for the growth is simple: "last year, the results were fairly positive and we are currently at the limit of production".
In 2010, the total production of aluminum of the company was calculated at 10,400 tons and the forecast for 2011 gets to 11 thousand. "Since we are producing at full capacity, we decided to invest R$ 4 million (US$ 2.4 million) in new equipment", revealed Magalhães. The injection of capital will be reflected only in 2012, when the company will be operating with the productive capacity already increased at nearly 30%. For the Executive, another factor that demanded more of the production of the company was the adaptation to the quality seal provided by the ISO 9001 Certificate, in 2010. Of the total production of Alpex, 40% is destined for the industry of furniture and civil construction, 20% for decoration and 6% goes to the international market. Founded in 1992 and present throughout the national territory, the industrial area of the company occupies 15 thousand square meters divided into two units, one in São Caetano in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, and another in the neighborhood of Ipiranga, in Sao Paulo. Alpex caters to the furniture industry with aluminum doors assembled with glass, handles, racks for pants, hangers and shelves.
Another example of the good moment for the sector of the aluminum industry intended for construction is Zeloart, which announced the earnings of R$ 6 million (US$ 3.4 million) in 2010 and it plans growing 12% in 2011. The company attributes the results and perspectives to the growth of the segment and increase of the interest for residential projects and projects of horizontal condominiums in cities in the interior of São Paulo. The Brazilian Aluminum Association (Abal) foresees growth of 12% in the consumption of aluminum in the segment of construction this year. "What is pulling the entire sector are the Government projects such as the "My House, My Life" and world sporting events that will have Brazil as host country", said the Coordinator of the construction market committee of Abal, José Carlos Noronha, who added that "January and February confirm the projected trends for 2011".
In 2009, the volume of sales of rolled and extruded aluminum amounted to 138 thousand tons, whereas, notwithstanding yet to be disclosed, the estimate for 2010 is at nearly 186 thousand tons. For 2011, the value goes up to 207 thousand tons. "We are investing in the adequate equipment so that the industry of extrusion is able to meet the demand. On the other hand, companies like CBA (Companhia Brasileira do Alumínio), Novelis and Alcoa already have capacity for that because they bought machines for the next five years", said Noronha.