Shilla lands in Latin America and invests R$ 100 million in Tietê

South Korean will settle a slewing bearing plant for wind turbines, construction equipment and marine cranes, generating 200 new jobs

The South Korean company Shilla Corporation chose the city of Tietê, located 153 km from the state capital, to settle its first plant in the West. The company announced on Friday, February 28, that it will build a slewing bearing plant with investments that could reach R$ 100 million and generate 200 jobs over the next three years.

The investment is assisted by Investe SP, the investment promotion agency of São Paulo State Government. “We presented sectoral information, took the executives to visit several cities in the state and we are providing all the assistance on environmental, infrastructure and tax matters,” said the president of Investe SP, Luciano Almeida.

The bearings manufactured by Shilla can be used in turbines, construction equipment, marine cranes and offshore equipment. The idea of bringing the production to Brazil came from one of its main clients, GE Power & Water, which currently imports the component to use in the manufacture of wind turbines in Campinas. However, according to company executives, the idea is to find new clients in the Brazilian market.

The new plant will be located on a property covering 90,000 square meters, located at the margins of the state road Cornélio Pires. The idea is that the plant, which will initially consume R$ 30 million, starts operating in the first half of 2015, hiring 80 employees.

All bearings manufactured by Shilla are sold on demand, and can be applied in various types of gear. They are divided into three major types: bearings with internal gears, external gears and gearless.

“The choice of Tietê was strategic for the company. In addition to being close to its main supplier, Shilla will have access to two major consumer markets – Campinas and Sorocaba – and the main highways of the country. The partnership with the city hall, which had an active participation in the project, was also essential in the choice of Brazil and the state of São Paulo to welcome the project,” said Almeida.

The president of Investe SP met with Shilla for the first time in KOIF - Korea Overseas Investment Fair, in May 2013, where Investe SP was an exhibitor. At the time, Investe SP was conducting an employee exchange program with the investment promotion agency of South Korea, Kotra.

“The exchange program allowed an employee from Investe SP to spend a period of two months in the headquarters of Kotra in Seoul, visit Shilla and allow the company’s project,” said Almeida.

Learn more about Koif and the partnership between Kotra and Investe SP.

About Shilla

Shilla Corporation was founded in Shinpung, South Korea, in 1986. At the beginning, it produced pulleys for automotive engines and mounted compressor structures. The bearings started being produced in 1989, intended mainly to manufacturers of construction and industrial machinery.

Today, this item is also exported to turbine manufacturers and marine cranes in the United States, China, Japan, UK, France, India and many other countries. The company hires 300 employees in the plant of Jangsan and 90 in Shinpung.

The Chinese subsidiary of the company, Changzhou Shilla Machinery Manufacturing Company (CSMMC), was founded in 2002. It produces pulleys and bearings for construction machinery plants of Hyundai in Changzoou and Beijing. The plant has 100 employees.

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