French group to set up factory in Sergipe

ASN - Another internationally recognized company is joining the most important phase in the history of Sergipe's industrial development. This is the conclusion after the official announcement of investments and the construction schedule for the new Verallia factory, a glass packaging manufacturer belonging to the Saint-Gobain group, which will be located in the municipality of Estância, 72 km from the capital. The land leveling is estimated to be completed in February 2014, and the unit is expected to begin operations by October 2015. The announcements were made at the Palácio dos Despachos, with the presence of the acting governor, Jackson Barreto, and the CEO of Verallia, Roberto Luiz Correa.

Associated with Ipiaram Empreendimentos e Participações, led by Sergipe businessman Ruy Vieira (of the Constâncio Vieira group, founded in 1912), which already has a long tradition in the textile industry in Estância and in the cosmetics segment through Guf Indústria Química e Farmacêutica, the Saint-Gobain group will invest approximately R$ 230 million in this venture, prioritizing the use of local labor. The company Verallia was known until 2000 as Santa Marina, which also built a reputation in the national market.

Glass Hub

The new industrial unit will represent the establishment of a 'glassmaking hub' in the Estância region, as it also includes plans for a glass recycling plant and a mining company that will supply raw materials to the industry. “This is an investment of approximately R$ 230 million from a world-renowned company in the glass industry, with French capital, which was, for example, one of those responsible for the construction of the Palace of Versailles in France, and boasts a tradition dating back to the 17th century,” illustrated Jackson Barreto.

As soon as it decided to invest in Latin America, the company initially chose Brazil in the 1930s and, since then, has been expanding its participation in various segments of the national market. "This is an industry that will generate jobs from its construction phase, where approximately 500 employees will be hired, and about 200 direct jobs when it is fully operational, scheduled for October 2015," announced the acting governor.

Another finding highlighted by Jackson Barreto is that the installation of Verallia in Estância will attract demand from various beverage and food industries in neighboring states. “Between Bahia, Alagoas, and Pernambuco, we have several industries that will consume the company's glass packaging, such as beverage and food industries, in addition to the industries already operating in Sergipe. This will boost the productive potential of the entire region, since a chain will be formed with glass, which is 100% recyclable, as the main element,” he emphasized.

Jackson Barreto also praised the work carried out by the technicians from the State Secretariat for Economic Development, Science and Technology (Sedetec) and the Industrial Development Company of Sergipe (Codise), who expedited all the studies and negotiations to make the project viable. “We are very happy, because we see that the process began in October 2012, in February 2014 the land will be ready for the start of construction, and in October 2015 the factory is scheduled to begin operations. This demonstrates that the necessary steps are being taken and the investors have managed to fulfill all the prerequisites in a relatively short time. It is another moment of great joy for our government, fulfilling one of the premises defined by Governor Marcelo Déda: to implement an aggressive policy of attracting investments,” noted the acting governor.

Efficiency

The very dynamics of the negotiations held with the State Government were one of the arguments used by the company, according to its Executive Manager, for choosing Sergipe as the location for the new factory. “Saint-Gobain's decision was to establish itself in the Northeast, which is currently experiencing very strong growth in the country, and we needed a unit to participate in this growth process in the region, since our units are located in the Southeast. The logistical advantage of Sergipe, more specifically the Estância region, offered all the infrastructure conditions, access to emerging markets, and development compatible with the nature of our project, which was further boosted by the receptiveness we received from the Government and local City Hall technicians,” stated Roberto Luiz Correa.

According to the manager, the company will make every effort to maintain production, employment levels, social and environmental responsibility, and the planned development, which is included in the documentation formalized to qualify for the tax incentives offered by the State Government.

perspectives

For the mayor of Estância, Carlos Magno Garcia, this is an achievement that only broadens the municipality's development prospects. “Along with a company of this size, which works with 100% recyclable raw materials, will come several other companies that will generate jobs and income for the population of Estância and the entire region. We will have an industry that works with excellence in its environmental standards and that will certainly give a fundamental boost to a new virtuous cycle for Estância and the entire south-central region of Sergipe. We have even already acquired land near the new unit that will be donated to Codise so that it can make these new ventures viable,” the mayor anticipated, regarding the logistical measures already adopted to streamline the installation of the so-called glassmaking hub.

Production Chain and Tradition

The Secretary of Economic Development, Saumíneo Nascimento, highlighted that this company will arrive in partnership with two others: a recycling company, which will work with cooperatives of glass collectors, and a mining company that will supply the sand and other materials necessary for glass processing. “These companies will generate employment, consume energy, consume natural gas, and inject more resources into the Sergipe economy. This is the focus of our work, and we intend to further boost it,” he emphasized.

Businessman Ruy Vieira highlighted the importance of having a group from Sergipe associated with a business group that is about 400 years old and present in 64 countries. “We partnered with them in this glass packaging plant to serve the beverage and food industries, and we are very pleased because it is based in Sergipe, showcasing all this tradition. Our roots and our tradition are here, precisely in the municipality of Estância, which is the land of my ancestors. This will provide development, job creation and income generation, and we are very happy to help the State reach another level in expanding its industrial park, generating more opportunities for the people of Sergipe,” he concluded.

In addition to company executives and representatives from the Estância City Hall, those participating in the meeting included the State Secretary of Communication, Carlos Cauê, the president of Codise, Roberto Bispo, the vice-mayor of Estância, Filadelfo Alexandre, government advisors, and representatives of the Sergipe press.

Photo: Marcos Rodrigues/ASN