Technip starts production at new plant by December

France's Technip will inaugurate its second plant of flexible tubes in the country in the fourth quarter, in the State of Rio de Janeiro. With an investment of $ 650 million and focus on the development of the pre-salt, the unit will have capacity to produce 200 kilometres of tubes per year, from 6 to 22 inches in diameter, important feature to support strong pressures and highly corrosive environments.
In addition to the two flexible tubes company units in the country (the other is in the Holy Spirit), the company, which posted revenues of € 9.5 billion in 2012, has two other similar factories: one in France and one in Malaysia. Currently, 10% of the company's revenue is the result of the operation in Brazil, where the company's management plans to continue to expand the business.
The new unit is being built a year ago at the port of Açu, in São João da Barra, the northern region of the State, which in turn is under construction by LLX, logistics company of the EBX Group, Eike Batista. Paul Veronesi, Director of business development for the company, denied that the uncertainties of the market in relation to the assets of businessman rock out in the company's expectations regarding the choice of the site and its potential.
"We are very quiet. The work of the port [of Brazil] is at full steam. The port, itself, is a very valuable asset, "said Veronesi, value. The operation of the new plant, which will occupy, in a first moment, 40% of an area of 290 square meters leased in Açu, will have 600 employees and 1.5 thousand indirect jobs. Most of the investment, of $ 650 million, will be financed by BNDES.
The idea is that the company has the possibility to, in the future, further expand their production in Brazil in the remaining area leased. Veronesi does not reveal the amounts paid to install on site. It merely stated that "it is quite competitive and in line with costs that Technip has elsewhere."
Nelson Prochet, Director of human resources of the company, explained that the company's expansion plans until 2015 predict growth of 35% of the workforce employed in the country, from the current 3.7 thousand to 5 thousand. According to him, the company invests in staff training.
"Currently, about 98% of Technip in Brazil are Brazilians," said Prochet. The Victory has been around for 26 years and employs 1.6 thousand employees, currently. The unit production is 450 kilometres of tubes per year, with diameters ranging from 1 to 14 inches, bottom diameter that will be produced in Brazil.
Veronesi said, to grow in the country, the company is also focused on developing specific technology to the Brazilian pre-salt. Two years ago, has set up a research and Development Center in the Holy Spirit, who plays today with about 60 professionals, engineers and technicians.
In Brazil since 1976, Technip has a fleet of four ships flexible lines launchers in the country and two more under construction in Santa Catarina, scheduled to go into operation in 2015. In addition, has a fleet of six support ships operating in the country and three others currently under construction in Korea. The new support ships should come into operation until the beginning of next year.