Saint-Gobain reviews grow 7% projection this year in the country

Saint-Gobain has decided to revise its projection of 7% growth in turnover this year compared to that achieved in 2014. The new estimate will still be drawn, but the Chairman of Saint-Gobain for Brazil, Argentina and Chile, Thierry Fournier, however, caveat that even then there will be expansion of billing. Already the volume sold, the accumulated 2015, will be smaller than last year's. "The uncertainties are too great in the second half," said the Executive.
According to Fournier, change the expectations of the group is the result of the worsening economic Outlook in the past two months. From January to June, the performance and the banks of the Saint-Gobain corresponded to targets for the period. To compensate for the increased costs of energy and raw materials indexed to the dollar, the company has raised prices of all products. The high were "practically in line with the cost inflation," according to the Executive.
The Group has a presence throughout the country and produces building materials by termites, asbestos (asbestos cement tiles and water tanks), Weber (rejuntamentos and mortars with the brand name Quartzolit), Stage of Brazil (drywall), Pam (pipes, fittings and valves), Isover (isolation and termoacústica solutions in glass wool) and Cebrace (flat glass). In retail, the Saint-Gobain operates through Telhanorte.
According to Fournier, the group keeps winning market share of other materials with some items, such as drywall (plasterboard). Diversified activities makes it possible for Saint-Gobain to compensate the fall of demand by customers, for example, in the area of infrastructure and automotive sector, by stage of other sectors, such as materials for buildings in phase of delivery. "The group is very resilient," says President of the group.
The total investments in capacity utilisation, maintenance and research and development, scheduled for 2015, of $ 550 million, is maintained, but in 2016, intakes to increase capacity will fall to less than half.
Saint-Gobain inaugurates today unit of production covers termites, asbestos cement, in Seropédica (RJ), his 59th factory in the country. The Unit received investments of r $ 55 million and started operations on 15 July.
From January to June, the performance and the margins of the Group corresponded to targets for the period
With capacity ranging from 85 million pounds to 95 thousand tons, depending on the product mix, the factory will supply the States Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo. "We seek to have factories as close as possible to the end customers," says Fournier. In the future, the unit will also produce water tanks.
According to the Director-General of Brasilit, Claudio Bastos, it is possible that the rate of return on investment in new "fall a bit in the early years" due to the worsening economic Outlook. "But I don't look at the short term when we make investments," says the Director-General.
The President of the group, Pierre-André de Chalendar, points out that the current economic scenario does not cause the Brazil has loss of importance for the group in the short term. "We believe that Brazil is a land of opportunity. And Seropédica is fully aligned with the growth strategy of the Saint-Gobain "says Chalendar.
With 350 years, Saint-Gobain's in the country for 78 years. According to the President, the Group has demonstrated its ability to deal with crises and difficult times, "particularly in Brazil" throughout its history. "The main challenge is to preserve our long-term strategy while we achieve our short-term objectives in a delicate scene," says Chalendar. Among the challenges, the global Executive CITES inflation "extremely high" and the difficulty of the market accept price increments.
Chalendar says hope, in the construction sector, the year 2016 is difficult for new works, but that the reforms will be a little better. "Many people who cannot buy new buildings are renovating their homes," he says. The World Executive cites the timing is complicated for the automotive and oil and gas. "We can't forget the infrastructure, particularly pipelines segment. The country needs investment desperately in this field, "adds Chalendar.
The President of the Saint-Gobain to the Brazil argues that the fiscal adjustment is done quickly and says he is willing to pay more taxes to help with the search for balance. However, States that one must also that problems relating to public spending are resolved. "The adjustment is inevitable, so it's better to happen now," says Fournier. According to him, Brazil is the country of the future, but "it would be good if the future manifested a bit".