With new factory, Weber designs billing until 9% bigger this year

SAO PAULO-the mortar manufacturer Saint-Gobain Weber is still optimistic about the Brazilian market. To inaugurate its 17th manufacturing unit in the city of Planaltina (Goiás), the French company hopes to expand its market share in the Midwest from the current 33% to about 40%. In 2014, it is expected that the Weber consolidated revenues grow 9% compared to last year.
"Our bet is that the construction industry will keep growing in the country. Isn't it time to put your foot on the brake and, Yes, to accelerate, "said DCI President of the Saint-Gobain Weber, Carlos Orlando.
The company invested r $ 35 million in the construction of the mortar factory in Planaltina to double the production capacity of the input in the State, to 280 thousand tons. The plant is the third company in the central region. Weber already has a factory in the city of Anápolis (Goiás), which also operates a range of waterproofing products. The company has another plant in Cuiaba, in Mato Grosso.
"The growth in the Federal District and surroundings have been greater than in the rest of the country," says Orlando. "With this new plant, we intend to consolidate our presence in the region", he ponders.
Orlando points out that the Center-West of the country will be one of the biggest outbreaks of the company. According to Weber, the sales potential of mortars in the region represents 7% of the national market.
Prospects for agreement with the President of Weber, the company has been registering an average annual growth of around 10%. However, for 2014, the prospect of low GDP increment can be a negative factor. "We should get a growth between 8% and 9%, driven mainly by new products, which create demands," explains Orlando.
The Executive points out that the slowdown of the economy, coupled with inflation, can cause problems in the medium term. "These factors are a strong concern to us, however, if the scenario does not improve, may impact us in some time".
The President of Weber says even though the called Ant consumer market (consumers who buy building materials to make or coordinate their own reforms) continues to grow in Brazil. "The level of employment has remained stable and the housing deficit is still large, so this segment has potential to grow," says Orlando.