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| Paint&pintura | Jan/Fev 2014
structure. We need to do that if we’re to meet consumer
requirements over the next fewyears. The trend towards auto-
mation, process improvement and technology development is
corroborated by the combination of a shortage of skilled labor
at factories with the need to reduce costs while improving
efficiency, the increased competition among manufacturers,
and the rise in the people’s purchasing power and, as a result,
in paint sales,” says Inkmaker’s Latin America sales manager
Silvio Mendes, who adds, “Companies are realizing the im-
portance of automating their processes, hence our positive
expectations for not only 2014, but also the next several years.
In an optimistic scenario, according to the Brazilian Associa-
tion of Paint Manufacturers, known for short as Abrafati, the
industry will grow at an average rate of 3.3 percent this year,
a better result than those of 2012 and 2013. “Without a doubt,
the favorable environment for that growthwill be provided by
theWorld Cup and the elections, as well as all of the optimism
about incentives for the consumption of consumer durables,
especially now that president Dilma Rousseff has announced
an extension of her administration’s housing program,” re-
marks Marco Antônio Vitoria, sales director at Vitoria & Cia.,
Fluid Management’s exclusive distributor in all of Brazil.
For Fluid Management and Vitoria & Cia., as far as produc-
tion equipment goes, growth will be a direct function of the
actual developments in the industry as a whole, including a
particularly positive contributionwhich is the use of production
equipment in paint dealerships all over Brazil. “Dispensers for
production applications, which have been extensively used by
paint manufacturers of all sizes, have now become strategic
for dealerships as well, thanks to the increased demand for
colors in the entire marketplace. We have identified a signifi-
cant demand for dispensers for this kind of application,” says
Marco Vitoria.
While theWorld Cup boosts investment in several industries,
including foreign investment, the government, for its part,
has been providing a significant contribution by making
credit available at very attractive interest rates through
the BNDES (National Economic and Social Development
Bank). “Our customers can take advantage of these credit
facilities since Netzsch equipment is listed and qualifies for
financing with the BNDES. This leads us to believe we will
grow more rapidly this year than we did in 2013. Towards
that end, we are making massive investments in the expan-
sion and upgrade of our manufacturing site in Pomerode,
Santa Catarina, so that we can meet the current and future
demand with quality, timeliness and safety,” says Netzsch
sales manager Rafael Ferreira.
Huntsman Opens Technology Center
Huntsman has just opened its new technology center in
Taboão da Serra, São Paulo. For the opening ceremony
held on December 10, the company received 150 guests,
including customers andpartners,whohadanopportunity
toseeHuntsman’snewproduct researchanddevelopment
milestone.
Also in attendance was the president of Huntsman’s Ad-
vanced Materials business James Huntsman, and Taboão
da Serra mayor Fernando Fernandes, who stressed the
importanceofHuntsman’s presence to the city’s economy,
in that it createsmuch-needed local jobs. JamesHuntsman
said, “We are really excited to be expanding our technical
capabilities in Brazil, while supporting our business in
SouthAmerica. Beingable toprovide customizedproducts
to customers in a wide variety of markets is essential for
our growth in the region. This ability is a testament to our
commitment.”
S t ruc tur i ng - Ak zoNob e l Announc e s
Integration of Guarulhos and Santo André
Sites
AkzoNobel has announced its global plans to optimize
production at its plants in Europe and Russia, and then
decided to gradually move its Brazilian operation from
Guarulhos to its Santo André site, expecting to complete
it by May 2014. “This is a strategic global decision that has
already been implemented in Europe and Russia is has
now arrived in Brazil, the world’s fourth most important
market for AkzoNobel. We always seek to build upon the
values which make us market leaders, such as operating
efficiency, customer service, innovation and sustainabili-
ty,” said Elaine Guedes, general manager for Brazil at the
AkzoNobel’s Wood Finishes and Adhesives business.
The process will consolidate the Industrial Coatings busi-
ness unit —which comprises Packaging Coatings (Santo
André),Wood Finishes andCoil Coatings (Guarulhos)—on
the Santo André site, thus enabling it to meet the current
and future demand from customers in this segment in
Brazil and South America. The Specialty Finishes business,
for its part, will be transferred to the Automotive&Aeros-
pace Coatings unit located inSãoBernardodoCampo, São
Paulo. “The consolidation of the three industrial coatings
businesses into one place creates a win-win situation in
the marketplace, as we will have more synergistic op-
portunities in research and infrastructure, while being
