With caution, Tirolez wait next

After growing 16%, less than the 20 percent originally foreseen in 2014, the Dairy Tirolez, which operates in the cheeses, awaiting a new increase in its revenue this year-between 18% and 21%-even with the uncertainty in the national economy.
The brothers Cicero and Carlos Hegg, Tirolez members, recognize the challenges that the economic scenario imposes and admit a "tough year", but predict a growth in volumes sold and also in the prices of the products marketed this year. "Generally, the food industry suffers less in crisis", says Carlos Hegg, industrial and financial director Tirolez. They do not reveal the company's revenue.
The slowdown of the economy, however, led the company to slow down the pace of investment, although the predicted value grow in nominal terms. The original plan, according to the businessman, was investing $ 100 million between 2015 and 2017, but now the contribution should reach $ 120 million and will be made between 2016 and 2018.
Resources, part of which the company hopes to obtain financing from BNDES, must be used in the construction of a new plant in Mount Pleasant (SP), where the Tirolez will disable an old factory. The production lines of cottage cheese and curd of this unit have been transferred to the company's plant in Lins, also in São Paulo, at the end of last year.
The project is to have new lines of fresh cheeses and creams in the industry that will be built, according to Cicero Hegg, Director sales and marketing. In addition, the plan provides for the expansion of the plant of Caxambu do Sul (SC), to increase the production of mozzarella, pasta and grated cheese, milk and the shots (MG), with a new line of cheeses.
These contributions also include the expansion of zero-lactose cheese line, released this year. "We're feeling good acceptance," says Carlos Hegg. In this year of uncertainty, however, will be made only for the maintenance of the six units of the group.
Cicero Hegg notes that the planned investment from next year are not intended to just increase the production capacity, but also include equipment and technology for greater productivity gains. Carlos adds that the focus is on innovation, with the creation of new categories, as occurred in the case of cream cheese.
Today, the Tirolez operates mainly in the domestic market, but has plans to export. Of the total production of cheeses, only 1% is exported to markets such as United States and African countries. But the goal, according to Cicero Hegg, "is to reach 10% in the medium term".
The company also has three units enabled to export cheese to Russia and expects the recent opening that country's market for milk powder "to leverage the export of other milk products such as cheese and butter. The Brazil had 12 units authorized to export cheese and butter to Russia (including the three of Tirolez) and the week before Moscow has authorized other 11 the export these products, in addition to powdered milk.
Founded 35 years ago, Tirolez has six units-Shots, Arapuá and Marikina, all in Minas Gerais, Mount Pleasant (SP), Layne (SP) and Caxambu do Sul (SC) and receives 800 thousand liters of milk daily. Is still in Brazil distributor of molten cheese La Vache qui Rit (the laughing cow) by French Bel.