Duratex will invest $ 750 million in new plant of panels

Point out of the curve in the construction materials market, which grew just 1% in 2012, below the expected by sector-, Duratex celebrates the growth of net profit registered in 2012, from 22.6% compared to the previous year. The expansion, however, lit the red light on the company's ability to sanitary vitreous Chinaware and metal fittings (seal Deca) and wooden panels. Therefore, the company decided to invest-in addition to the $ 660 million already programmed for 2013 to finalize the new projects and expansion of existing plants – in the building of a new factory of wooden panels. The new contribution is provided for up to $ 750 million in a unit still without defined location.
"We gained market share in the segment and we are near the top of our ability, what justifies the investment," says the CEO of Duratex, Henri Penchas. This year, the company must inaugurate the wood Division plant in Taquari (Rio Grande do Sul) and Itapetininga (SP), and the brand Deca in Queimados (RJ). "The unit is well located, because the demand must increase much in the region, especially in the light of the World Cup games and the Olympics," says Penchas.
In 2012, the Deca grew by over 7% in sales compared with the previous year, well above the index registered by the sector, which was an increase of just 1%. "Real estate launches two years ago still reflect in our sales. We can say that we are off the chain by up to 30 months, "says Penchas. This is because the installation phase of vitreous Chinaware and metal fittings is one of the latest in building a property, explains the Executive.
Deca's production grew 1 percent last year compared to 2011, to 25.7 thousand pieces. The business of sanitary vitreous Chinaware and metal fittings represents approximately 33% of the total net revenues of Duratex. "We can say that Deca is an object of desire. We have a very consolidated market brand ", says Penchas.
Perspectives of Duratex executives contend that the company must grow at least two times the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2013. "The Group has been growing at that pace in recent years, and Deca Division growth has been even greater," says Executive Director-financial and investor relations officer, Flavio Donatelli. He points out that, although real estate launches decelerate this year, the prospect is optimistic. "About two-thirds of our sales are to reform and replacement, market that remains strong," said Donatelli.
Duratex maintains secrecy about the new Panel plant, which should be ready in 2015, but ensures that continues looking the market for potential acquisitions. "We will be watching whenever there is opportunity to add value and optimize production costs", says Penchas. Last year, the Duratex invested around r $ 200 million on acquisitions, and in January this year bought the Thermosystem, manufacturer of electronic showers and solar heating systems.
The President of Duratex points out that, if the Country grow from 3.5% to 4%, as the Government projected for the coming years, Brazil will consume approximately 500 thousand cubic meters of panels each year, which will require a new factory per year. "We are optimistic."
Penchas points out that the mark Deca, widely consumed classes A and B, has as premise reach all layers. "We have products for all classes", he says. He adds that the internal market remains the fate of almost all the production of Duratex. "We export only 4% of our products", says Penchas.