Small companies take advantage and go global
O Estado de S. Paulo
The internationalization of Brazilian companies is opening doors to small- and medium-sized companies abroad. As suppliers or service providers, they are taking a ride on the boom of international investments of large groups. Besides helping gain clients overseas, some partnerships end up stimulating small companies to seek technical certifications and become more agile and competitive in the domestic market as well.
Canteiro, a company specialized in the setting up of worksites, headquartered in Santa Isabel (SP), took the first step towards its internationalization in 2004, by entering into an agreement with the Odebrecht building company. Since then, it has already built its spaces in undertakings in Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Angola. Five years later, the earnings with international projects represent 20% of the total earnings of the company, says, Sérgio Boff, one of its partners.
The African country that is going through an intense reconstruction after the end of the civil war that lasted more than two decades has an important role in that result. There, the company has already spread its worksites through an area of 50 thousand square meters. The partnership with Odebrecht has helped give visibility to Canteiro, which is increasing its operations in Angola. Two years ago, Canteiro started providing worksites to other clients in the country. "It became easier to make the contact since we're there", believes Boff. Among the new clients there are local and national groups like Engepar and Atlantis.
Milton Torrecilhas, director of electric components company PJ, from São Paulo, also sees the internationalization as a guarantee of earnings. "With the foreign sales, it is possible to seek new businesses and strengthen other areas in the domestic market. We have to be twice more careful. We cannot make mistakes."