Saint-Gobain buys retailer and comes to Rio Grande do Sul

Sao Paulo-the French Saint-Gobain has just announced another acquisition in the Brazilian market, the Tumelero building materials, retail network of Rio Grande do Sul. With the purchase, the company marks the entrance of the retail group of building materials Gaucho. The operation has already been approved by the Administrative Council for economic Defense (Cade).
According to the company, with the acquisition, the group will become the largest in number of outlets that niche in the country, with a total of 70 stores operating with the flags Telhanorte, Telhanorte Concept, Pro Telhanorte and Tumelero, in 46 cities of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul.
According to the President of the Saint-Gobain for Brazil, Argentina and Chile, Thierry Fournier, the new acquisition represents one of the major stakes of the group in Brazil. "Is an important step for our company in the building materials retail in a region so relevant in the country, such as the South, through the largest local network".
The Tumelero operates 29 stores in the State of Rio Grande do Sul and employs approximately 1000 employees. According to the French, the flag of Rio Grande do Sul network will be maintained, as well as the ongoing projects. "The goal is to expand investment and strengthen the operation in the region, respecting the characteristics and network business model," adds the Director-General of Saint-Gobain Brazil Distribution, Manuel Correa.
According to Correa, the acquisition is part of the long-term plan of the Group and goes beyond the current economic crisis. "The expansion plan, either through their own units or acquisitions, does not depend on more difficult economic times. The retail entrance of Rio Grande do Sul had been studied for a long time and, when the opportunity came along to the network Tumelero, the process has accelerated, "said the Executive in a statement.