Philco will produce cellular in Manaus

The Philco brand, founded in 1892 in the United States and Brazil already changed hands three times, being reactivated by Britain, its owner since 2007. The company will enter into new categories of products and manufacturing them in the free zone of Manaus. This year starts the production of smartphone and air-conditioning "split". The Philco, which in 2012 made us $ 760 million, already has authorization of Suframa to manufacture tablets, plasma TVs, DVD players and microwaves.
Thus, the Philco gives in 2013 the biggest step since when it was acquired by Britain. The company did not answer his request for an interview made by the report.
In the case of cell phones smartphones, the Philco ordered from China a kit with 100 thousand units, which is already being shipped, says a person familiar with subject. The import process takes approximately three months.
Philco's plan is to start selling smartphone from September, according to the value found.
The Manaus free zone Superintendence (Suframa) has recommended the approval of the request for authorisation of "diversification" made by Philco for smartphone, found the value. This is a common request to companies located in Zona Franca de Manaus. The request is likely to be approved at the next meeting of the Board of Directors of Suframa (CAS), on 19 August, said sources accompanying the process.
Authorizations for the Philco can produce air conditioning split, tablet, TV of plasma, DVD player and microwave were published in the Diário Oficial da União between 2012 and 2013. From the publication, the company has 36 months to deploy the project in Zona Franca de Manaus. Approval does not imply obligation; the company may choose not to fabricate.
Philco already has authorization to produce in Manaus tablets, plasma TV, DVD player and microwave
The basic productive process (PPB)-set of operations that characterize the industrialization and serves as a counterpart to the federal Government the granting of tax incentives-phone allows you to import parts, provided that following rules such as Assembly and welding of all components on printed circuit boards of the product manufactured in the free zone of Manaus. The production of smartphones of Philco must generate to 300 to 400 direct jobs, said a source.
The company is already manufacturing air-conditioning "split" in a line pilot. Full-scale production should begin in August. The investment in the product is r $ 9.38 million and includes machinery, labor, purchase of inputs, among others, according to the information of the Philco sent to Suframa.
Last year, net revenues of Philco nearly doubled: rose 69% from 2011, to R $ 760,37 million. But the costs of goods sold have risen even further (80%), and margins tightened. Net income of R $ 96 million in Philco, 51% more than in 2011. The company increased the stock at 26%, and the stock with raw material rose 155%.
The onslaught of Philco in computer products is another chapter in the story's picturesque brand. Established in 1892 in the United States, the Philadelphia Storage Battery Company became only Philco, arriving in Brazil in the early 30. At the height of the "radio era", the name became the model reference "Chapel", with varnished wooden cabinet. In the 50, went on to manufacture televisions in the country.
In the world, in the 30, the Philco initiated a partnership with Ford to produce automotive sound equipment. In 1961, the automaker bought the manufacturer, which was renamed Philco-Ford. Two decades later, the Philco joined the Japanese Hitachi to manufacture televisions.
In Brazil, the control of the company was acquired in 1989 by Itaúsa, Itaú bank holding company. In the years 90, the company reached the pinnacle in the domestic market of consumer electronics, with the slogan "there are things that only the Philco does to you".
In 2005, Philco was acquired by Gradient which, however, was only two years with the mark. A group of Chinese entrepreneurs acquired the Philco to then license it. In August 2007, Britain paid $ 22 million for the right to use the Philco name for 10 years, in an operation commanded by President of Britain, Cesar Eduardo Buffara.
The capital of Philco is divided between the Britannia Group (83.42%), Buffara (13.96%) and other shareholders, with 2.62%.