12/03/2008 10h08
Siemens keeps investments in expansion
Gazeta Mercantil - 12/03/2008
The technology company Siemens, which yesterday announced net sales of R$ 4.6 billion (US$ 2.04 billion) in Brazil during the fiscal year started in October of 2007 and ended in September 30, will keep its investments of more than R$ 50 million (US$ 22.22 million) in the expansion of two equipment plants for the energetic sector, located in the industrial complex of Jundiaí, in the interior of São Paulo. "We have to think about the needs of the Country in mid and long terms", says Adilson Primo, CEO of the company in Brazil, who moved away any slowdown in the investments foreseen by the company due to the world financial crisis. "In total, we are going to invest between R$ 120 and R$ 130 million (US$ 53 and 58 million) in the Country this year, practically the same amount of the last fiscal year", affirms the officer. Primo classifies the year of 2009 as "the moment to take advantage of the opportunities in the energy segment, which was the one that grew the most in 2008 and will continue high next year". "The projects in energy are long-term projects and we are involved in undertakings that are just starting, like great hydroelectric plants and large transmission lines in the Country", emphasized the executive. According to Primo, the current turbulences open a window of opportunities for the company, both in the domestic and in the foreign market. "Our clients, for example, will invest in technology to improve their energetic efficiency", said the executive, who also mentions the devaluation of the Real in relation to the Dollar as a great opportunity to increase the exports of the company. "The Brazilian units will provide equipment to the Americas (North, Central and South)", he commented. "Our priority is the domestic market, but we will not turn our backs on the foreign market", he added. The company CEO hopes the dollar stabilizes between R$ 2.10 and R$ 2.15", an exchange rate considered ideal by Siemens. "We will have a major gain in competitiveness", he emphasized, remembering that in August the exchange rate was at R$ 1.60. With the new investments in Jundiaí, the company intends to increase by 50% the capacity of producing steam turbines (aimed at the industrial sector) and in almost 30% the production of energy transformers. "The expansion in the transformers unit will make it the third largest Siemens plant in the world, behind Germany and China", compared Primo.
