tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510043017525114742024-02-07T10:41:50.944-03:00Brazilian Business NewsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-89759274367729767792010-03-01T19:26:00.002-03:002010-03-01T19:26:54.934-03:00Hershey to keep up 20% growthHaving lost the battle for Cadbury's to Kraft Foods, Hershey took a deep breath and faced up to the future, alone. However, in Brazil, it boasts the joint venture it sealed with Pandurata, the owner of Bauducco, two years ago. In 2009, net turnover locally for Hershey rose 21%, notes its president in Brazil, Aluisio Periquito Neto. The aim in 2010 is to keep up such levels of growth via investment of R$3.5mil in the expansion of a plant in Sao Roque (SP). At present, Hershey is a chocolate-bar manufacturer in Brazil but wants to enter new chocolate-sector segments, explains Periquito Neto. An upcoming launch constitutes the first product developed by the firm in Brazil, Pacoca Hershey's, a Brazilianised version of Reese's Peanut Butter. Another will debut globally in Brazil, namely Hershey's Air.<br />
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Publication: SABI - Business News <br />
Provider: South American Business Information <br />
February 28, 2010Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-43653801517653800432010-01-15T14:54:00.002-02:002010-01-15T14:54:56.774-02:00Walmart and Pao de Acucar to combine own brandsUS supermarket Walmart and Brazilian chain Pao de Acucar are combining their own brand products in order to lower their costs and some of their individual brands will disappear from the shelves. Savings will be made by producing only one design of packaging which in turn will help reduce transportation costs. Pao de Acucar plans to keep only two of its brands; Taeq and Qualita, which promote health and well-being and economical purchases respectively. For its part Walmart plans on keeping four brands, one of which will be aimed at rivalling the Taeq brand with the other three being divided into high, medium and low-priced goods.<br />
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Publication: Esmerk - News monitoring <br />
Provider: Esmerk <br />
January 15, 2010Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-18284107055268349332009-11-23T02:43:00.002-02:002009-11-23T02:43:47.899-02:00Vale announces USD 4.1 bln investment in ArgentinaBrazilian mining company Vale has recently announced an investment of USD 4.1 billion in the exploration and production of potassium in Argentina. The figure represents the largest investment made by a Brazilian company in the country. The plan includes the construction of a facility, a railroad section with 350 kilometers and the construction of a thermal power plant. Investments begin in 2010 with USD 300 million, said Vale. With the project Argentina will become the main exporter of potassium of the region. In addition, 8.000 job positions will be created. <br /><br />Publication: BIS - Business Information Systems <br />Provider: Business Information Systems <br />November 23, 2009Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-49297824408345181622009-09-23T01:06:00.002-03:002009-09-23T01:09:00.349-03:00Locaweb embarks on international expansion plan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQydzutKjFR2p5PO7mUOmRkXr67B8OpZOXuLRwjRhniYvgkIYebsD6WQvjEjFnv8_CBTtQF7vnbNpXXZ3LBgytrxhAsH9BBH8vcYNe3ZkdTwehWauuzjixphzo-DOkYIQ5HzGMpQtt_zE/s1600-h/locaweb.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQydzutKjFR2p5PO7mUOmRkXr67B8OpZOXuLRwjRhniYvgkIYebsD6WQvjEjFnv8_CBTtQF7vnbNpXXZ3LBgytrxhAsH9BBH8vcYNe3ZkdTwehWauuzjixphzo-DOkYIQ5HzGMpQtt_zE/s200/locaweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384509997148874994" /></a>Brazilian data storage company Locaweb expects international sales to account for 5% of overall revenues within three years, online news source Baguete quoted the company's corporate development director, Celso Nunes, as saying. <br /><br />This comes after Locaweb disclosed plans to invest US$1mn to open a technical center in Miami and a support and service center in Montevideo. <br /><br />"The Latin American hosted services market lacks local providers... consequently, we identified an opportunity to take our experience outside of Brazil," Nunes said. <br /><br />In 2008 Locaweb posted revenues of 102mn reais (US$56.1mn), which are expected to increase roughly 36.7% this year. The firm, which has more than 196,000 clients, currently controls 21.8% of the Brazilian market share in hosting. <br /><br />Brazilian press reported earlier this month that Locaweb will invest 35mn reais by the end of this year to expand infrastructure and improve services. <br /><br />Nunes said part of the funds will be channeled towards the completion of the company's new data center. <br /><br />Publication: Business News Americas - English News <br />Provider: Business News Americas <br />September 22, 2009Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-90885487925976886852009-09-02T02:02:00.000-03:002009-09-02T02:03:07.731-03:00Anglo Ferrous granted right to mine at Pedra Branca do AmapariBrazil's minerals production department (DNPM) has officially given multinational miner Anglo American (LSX: AAL), through its Anglo Ferrous Brazil subsidiary, possession of iron ore mines in Pedra Branca do Amapari, Amapá state, DNPM said. <br />The document gives Anglo Ferrous the right to process iron ore in the Pedra Branca do Amapari district. The mines in question are part of the Amapá iron ore system. <br /><br />The approval is an important step in the consolidation of activities regarding Pedra Branca mineral reserves, according to the director of Anglo Ferrous' Amapá iron ore system, José Luiz Martins. <br /><br />"This gives us the security to continue investing in Amapá and therefore increase iron ore production in the state," Martins was quoted as saying by local press. <br /><br />Anglo American took control of the Amapá system when it purchased Brazilian miner MMX's IronX division in August 2008. <br /><br />Publication: Business News Americas - English News <br />Provider: Business News Americas <br />September 1, 2009Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-86315430213087883002009-08-31T01:37:00.000-03:002009-08-31T01:38:29.288-03:00DP World, Odebrecht to operate Embraport in BrazilGlobal marine terminal operator DP World and Brazilian company Odebrecht announce they have entered into a partnership to acquire a majority stake at Empresa Brasileira de Terminais Portuários (Embraport), one of the largest Brazilian private multi-modal port terminals in the city of Santos. <br /><br />It is the first time that DP World and Odebrecht Investiments in Infrastructure have formed such a partnership. The investment fund FI-FGTS of Caixa Econômica Federal will maintain its shareholding acquired earlier. Coimex Group, leader of the project since its inception, reduces its shareholding, but remains a key member of the partnership. <br /><br />Embraport (Brazilian Port Terminals Company) is being built adjacent to Porto de Santos, an existing port facility in the city of Santos, São Paulo State. Porto de Santos is the largest Brazilian container port, with 90% of its cargo destined for the local São Paulo market. There is an excellent road and rail connectivity to the project site. <br /><br />The first phase of the project is scheduled to be concluded in 2012 with around 1 million TEU (twenty foot equivalent container units) capacity and it will be operated by DP World. The fully developed project will have capacity of more than 1.5 million TEU and about 2 billion litres of ethanol. Phase-I is expected to be about a $500m terminal development. <br /><br />DP World will provide its extensive experience in the development and operation of multi-purpose port facilities, while Odebrecht will contribute with its significant experience in constructing marine terminals and management infrastructure projects. <br /><br />In addition, Odebrecht companies will increase the potential captive cargo, both cabotage and export, that can be handled through the project facility. Coimex Group plays an important role in the project for its expertise in foreign trade and logistics. <br /><br />"It is a great opportunity to strengthen Odebrecht's relationship with DP World besides the current construction of DP World's container terminals in Callao, Peru and the terminal at Doraleh, Djibouti, Africa officially opened in February this year," said Odebrecht CEO Marcelo Odebrecht. <br /><br />Publication: Andina - English Newswire <br />Provider: Andina <br />August 30, 2009Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-52011766749936134892009-08-30T01:02:00.001-03:002009-08-30T01:04:55.127-03:00Marcopolo confirms Portuguese closureMarcopolo, the biggest Brazilian bus-bodywork manufacturer, yesterday confirmed the closure of its factory in Portugal, inaugurated, as Marcopolo's first foreign subsidiary operation, back in 1990. The group will now have to supply much of Europe from Brazil. It closed one of its two Russian plants early this year in the light of a big dip in demand. Production at the Portuguese plant ended two weeks ago with the 170 employees sent off on collective holidays.<br /><br />The Marcopolo installations in question are to be found in Coimbra; they produced 165 buses in 2008, the equivalent of just 0.8% of total company production (of 21,811 buses). In the first half of this year, the Coimbra factory produced just 58 buses. In February, Marcopolo began producing bodywork in India; in September, it will begin producing bodywork in Egypt. This will mean it has 13 plants operating in nine different countries in the final quarter of 2009.<br /><br />Publication: SABI - Business News <br />Provider: South American Business Information <br />August 29, 2009Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-72780253140173150112009-03-27T01:02:00.000-03:002009-03-27T01:03:24.575-03:00MRS Logística to invest US$249mn in 2009Brazilian rail operator MRS Logística has confirmed a 549mn-real (US$249mn) investment budget for 2009, news service Agência Estado reported.<br /><br />A total of 178mn reais will be used to buy rolling stock and office materials; another 221mn reais will be spent on track repairs; 112mn reais will be allocated to improve signaling, energy and telecommunications; and 38mn reais will be used for miscellaneous purposes, the report said.<br /><br />Most of the resources will come from the company's own funds and the rest through financing.<br /><br />At the same time, the company is forecasting a volume of nearly 137mn net-tonnes kilometer (TKU) for the year, the report said.<br /><br />MRS Logística, a cargo railway concessionaire since 1996, operates the southeastern federal railroad network which connects the states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and São Paulo.<br /><br />The company has 1,643km of railways that connect to Sepetiba port, in Rio de Janeiro state, and Santos port, in São Paulo, according to a company release.<br /><br />Publication: Business News Americas - English News <br />Provider: Business News Americas <br />March 26, 2009Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-90887381650760255662009-02-09T05:58:00.001-02:002009-02-09T05:58:00.779-02:00Paraná Banco records profits up 11%More susceptible to crises, as pointed out by the Central Bank at the end of last year, smaller banks, however, are now presenting balance sheets in which their conservative positions --even if they did not always bring larger profits--at least guaranteed their structures and greater normality at the beginning of 2009. This is what can be deducted from the results of Paraná Banco, which recorded a net profit of R$ 84.1 million in 2008, up 11.1% compared to 2007 profits of R$ 75.7 million. The 2008 profit represents a return on net equity of 10.5% and an efficiency index of 42.1% per year.<br /><br />"If the operations had been normal the whole year net profits certainly would have reached R$100 million," said Cristiano Malucelli, director of investor relations of Paraná Banco. In the fourth quarter profits fell 55% compared to the same quarter prior year, totaling R$ 16 million, while the efficiency index rose from 35.5% to 51.7%, up 16l.2%<br /><br />Paraná Banco was prepared for the crisis lowering its leverage and ending the year with a comfortable cash situation - R$ 600,3 million -or 78.4% of total deposits, which according to Malucelli enabled the bank to maintain an efficient strategy despite market uncertainties. In June 2007 the bank launched shares on the Bovespa exchange, where it obtained nearly R$ 604 million.<br /><br />'We are foreseeing a situation in which it will be possible to resume operations with more force among corporate entities, especially small and medium size companies, since now is a good opportunity," he said.<br /><br />Paraná Banco is specialized in consigned credit, a portfolio which represents 91% of its operations. Last year it sold R$ 340 million of these assets to make cash. "We ended the year as one of the most liquid banks in Brazil." Credit operations in 2008 amounted to R$ 1,10 billion, down 8.3% over 2007, while total assets amounted to R$ 1,97 billion, up 5.1% c.<br /><br />A J. Malucelli Seguradora, J. Malucelli Resseguradora and J.Malucelli Seguradora de Crédito (awaiting authorization from the Susep insurance monitor agency, were responsible for 27% of the profit of the bank, and he said, profits are expected to grow this year.<br /><br />Publication: Gazeta Mercantil - OnLine News - en <br />Provider: Gazeta Mercantil / Investnews <br />February 6, 2009Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-47069217627853484862009-02-08T18:56:00.001-02:002009-02-08T18:57:37.825-02:00ArcelorMittal tackles iron mining operationsJose Francisco Martins Viveiros, executive with ArcelorMittal, is moving from London to assume as president AcerloMittal Serra Azul, the filial that would manage the iron mining operations acquired from London Mining in a US$810mil deal by mid last year. Viveiros mission is to bring iron ore production to supply 70% of the steel major needs. He will manage, in addition to Serra Azul, at Minas Gerais state, the iron and manganese operations of MPP, at Corumba (Mato Grosso do Sul), purchased last August. There are other mining exploration concessions in Bahia state, part of the Brazilian iron assets. Serra Azul should have an output of 5mil m tons of ores in 2009, of which 2.1mil exported to Arcelor's sister companies. <br /><br />Expansion is tied to the evolution of the iron market and Viveiros keeps an eye in the dry metallic ton unit (DMTU) prices to base investment decisions. He ponders the uptrend in commodity prices was unexpected as well as the downtrend that now starts. Uncertainties are high and there are no tools to measure and predict what the future holds. There are other concerns to flow off Serra Azul ores, one of them is the denial by the Rio de Janeiro authorities, of the project of ArcelorMittal to have its own port terminal at Itacuruca (Sepetiba Bay) in association with Brazore (Adriana Resources). It means exports would continue via the terminal of Vale while alternatives are being sought.<br /><br />Publication: SABI - Business News <br />Provider: South American Business Information <br />February 6, 2009Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-26405256537529838502008-11-12T01:18:00.002-02:002008-11-12T01:19:52.934-02:00Log-In Logística to invest US$107mn in 2009Brazilian transport, storage and logistics company Log-In Logística Intermodal (Bovespa: LOGN3) announced it will invest 228mn reais (US$107mn) next year, paper Valor Econômico reported.<br /><br />This sum might be increased if the construction of grain transport ships to transport bauxite and the Manaus river port, in Amazonas state, are included on its project list, the report said.<br /><br />Of the approved amount, 129mn reais will be for the construction of container ships, 28.4mn reais will be used to expand capacity at its Vila Velha container terminal in Espírito Santo state, and 21.4mn reais will be invested in the Paulínia intermodal terminal in São Paulo state. Current investments will be allocated 15mn reais.<br /><br />For expansion at the Camaçari multimodal terminal, in Bahia state, 31.9mn reais are expected to be invested, of which 26.4mn reais from 2008 have been reallocated to 2009.<br /><br />Publication: Business News Americas - English News<br />Provider: Business News Americas <br />November 11, 2008Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-58840132564150105652008-11-10T02:27:00.002-02:002008-11-10T02:27:54.661-02:00Parana to raise up to US$185mn in capitalBrazilian midsize bank Paraná Banco plans to raise up to 400mn reais (US$185mn) in capital, the bank said in a filing with São Paulo stock exchange Bovespa. <br />The bank's board approved the program to end-December. <br /><br />Paraná Banco is controlled by local holding company J Malucelli Holding, which has 72.4% of the voting stock and 41.8% of its overall shares, according to the latest Bovespa filings. <br /><br />Paraná Banco recorded 19.1mn reais in third quarter net profits, falling 10.6% on the same quarter last year. The bank held 2.19bn reais in total assets at end-September, increasing 22.0% on the same time last year. <br /><br />Publication: Business News Americas - English News<br />Provider: Business News Americas <br />November 7, 2008Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-63085126983037418982008-10-10T01:05:00.000-03:002008-10-10T01:06:31.395-03:00Petro Vista acquires interest in Sergipe-Alagoas blockCanadian independent oil company Petro Vista Energy (TSX-V: PTV) has acquired a 30% net revenue interest from UP Petróleo do Brasil in a shallow water block in Brazil's Sergipe-Alagoas basin, Petro Vista said in a statement.<br /><br />The SES-107D block, dubbed Tartaruga, produces roughly 250boe/d.<br /><br />Petro Vista expects to increase output by working over the producing well, according to the statement. Hydrocarbons regulator ANP has approved a development plan that includes two or three additional wells in Tartaruga.<br /><br />The 30% net revenue interest acquired by Petro Vista represents a 41.3% working interest.<br /><br />Prior to the deal, UP Petróleo do Brasil had a 67.5% stake in the block. Federal energy company Petrobras (NYSE: PBR) owns 25% and oil group TDC do Brasil Petróleo the remaining 7.5%.<br /><br />Publication: Business News Americas - English News<br />Provider: Business News Americas <br />Date: October 9, 2008Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-59416466955741490932008-09-03T21:01:00.000-03:002008-09-03T21:01:00.743-03:00Goodyear Engineered Products Manufacturer Acquires Brazil's Leading Conveyor Belt Service CompanyThe world's No. 1 conveyor belt manufacturer and exclusive producer of Goodyear Engineered Products is expanding its conveyor belt installation, splice and repair service footprint into Latin America.<br /><br />Veyance Technologies, Inc., has bought RCT Servicos de Vulcanizacao Ltda., based in Belo Horizonte about 600 kilometers or 350 miles north of Sao Paulo, subject to regulatory approval.<br /><br />RCT is Brazil's leading conveyor belt service provider with several operations and more than 300 associates in the country's northern and southeastern regions. It will continue to use its name and provide conveyor belt installation, splicing, monitoring and repair services.<br /><br />Goodyear-branded conveyor belts are the market leader in Brazil and Latin America.<br /><br />Bringing together the region's leading conveyor belt supplier and service provider gives Veyance significant growth opportunities in Latin America, according to Renaldo Calderini, Veyance's vice president and general manager for Latin America. "The company will use the dual offerings to enter other markets," he said.<br /><br />Calderini said the acquisition helps provide its distributors and their customers with comprehensive conveyor belt support. "The service complements our technologically-advanced conveyor belt products, splice kits and monitoring systems."<br /><br />This is the third conveyor belt service acquisition announced by Veyance this year, including North America's Monk Mining Supply based in Virginia and National Belt Service based in Alabama that cover U.S. and Canada coal industry needs.<br /><br />RCT has operated for more than 17 years. Previous owners Arthur Sternick and Marcio Alves de Oliveira will remain with the organization to ensure consistency of customer support.<br /><br />Veyance's mining industry support reaches back to the first Goodyear-branded conveyor belt produced in 1913. It operates Brazil, Chili, U.S., Canada, South Africa and Australia conveyor belt plants; recently formed Shandong Aneng Conveyor Belt & Rubber Co. - China's leading conveyor belt manufacturer; and recently acquired a U.S. conveyor belt fabric business.<br /><br />In addition, an $18 million expansion underway at its Marysville, Ohio, heavy-duty conveyor belt plant adds new process technology and equipment.<br /><br />Veyance Technologies has 35 manufacturing facilities worldwide and employs 9,000 associates. Along with conveyor belts, Veyance manufactures and markets Goodyear-branded industrial and automotive products, including industrial and hydraulic hose, power transmission belts, rubber track, air springs and tensioners, as well as metal sprockets, fittings and couplings. Veyance Technologies, Inc.<br /><br />Publication: PR Newswire<br />Provider: PR Newswire<br />Date: September 3, 2008Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-17647479935897776322008-09-03T20:00:00.002-03:002008-09-03T20:00:48.448-03:00Sadia invests R$308 mn in Mato Grosso unitThe Brazilian food company Sadia approved today investments of R$308 million to conclude the second part of the Lucas do Rio Verde project, in the state of Mato Grosso.<br /><br />The company plans to reach a total chicken slaughtering capacity of 145 million head per year at this unit, as well as 2.5 million swine. The project's second stage is expected to start in the second half of 2010, allowing additional revenues of R$725 million.<br /><br />Publication: Investnews Agency - News<br />Provider: Gazeta Mercantil / Investnews<br />Date: September 3, 2008Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-77240313212052299512008-08-29T19:22:00.000-03:002008-08-29T19:22:00.559-03:00Fiat is betting on old Uno Mille to maintain leadershipAt a moment when buying Power is growing and Brazilian consumers are beginning to look for cars above the market entry level, Fiat Automóveis is launching a new version of the old Uno Mille, which has been on the market here for 25 years. But the new Mille Economy brings a solution for one vital point for a broad parcel of Brazilians and fleet operators: the pocketbook. With modifications in the suspension, tires, exhaust system and motor, the Economy flex 1.0 promises 10% economy in the city and 25% on the highway compared with the previous model. That is the theme with which the automaker hopes to increase by as much as 10% the sales of the hatchback, which currently has 14.5% of the sales in its segment.<br /><br />Fiat president Cledorvino Belini is no man to lose opportunities. According to studies by the automaker itself, the market for cars costing up to R$27,000 (US$16,564) grew more than 50% in the first half of this year, well ahead of the 28% average growth of the general market during the period. 'The Mille is positioned in the band of the first zero-kilometer cars for families. So if you can offer more economy to these consumers, you will let them keep more money in their pockets to make payments, for example,' said Belini, speaking yesterday in FRortaleza (CE).<br /><br />Publication: Gazeta Mercantil - OnLine News - en<br />Provider: Gazeta Mercantil / Investnews<br />Date: August 29, 2008Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-45626674309800310462008-08-29T18:59:00.000-03:002008-08-29T18:59:00.823-03:00Delta looks to strengthen markets in North and NortheastWhoever lives in the Brazilian North, Northeast and Midwest is not going to have to make layovers or connections through Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo any more to reach the United States. Beginning December 20, Delta airline will offer nonstop flights on the Manaus-Atlanta-Manaus triangle.<br /><br />According to Christophe Didier, Delta vice-president for Latin America, the flights will respond to the demand of people who work in 100 companies in the region with parent companies in Japan and can use the Atlanta connection to fly directly to that country.<br /><br />'Ecotourism will also will attract many Americans, Europeans, Canadians and Asiatics to the region. Two years ago, Delta insisted on a license to increase the frequency of flights, granted by the --- at the end of June in a bilateral accord between the two countries. We had the support of the local governments,' explained Didier. 'We are very confident in relation to Brazil, a gigantic country. In addition to this, there will be a feeder system for channeling people into and out of flights in the country.'<br /><br />Publication: Gazeta Mercantil - OnLine News - en<br />Provider: Gazeta Mercantil / Investnews<br />Date: August 29, 2008Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-70860033805399612622008-08-29T18:40:00.000-03:002008-08-29T18:41:10.956-03:00Embraer Delivers First Embraer 190 Jet to China's Kunpeng AirlinesEmbraer delivered, yesterday, the first of five EMBRAER 190 jets to China's Kunpeng Airlines Co. Ltd., one of the largest operators on the Chinese regional aviation market. In July 2008, during the 46th Farnborough Airshow, in the U.K, Embraer announced a firm order for five EMBRAER 190 jets by Kunpeng.<br /><br />"We are very glad to see our EMBRAER 190 serving more Chinese passengers through the reliable operation of Kunpeng Airlines," said Mauro Kern, Embraer Executive Vice President, Airline Market. "We believe that the EMBRAER 190, with its superior performance, economics and comfort, will meet our Chinese customer's fleet needs, and contribute to its growth plans and success."<br /><br />The aircraft is configured to comfortably accommodate 98 passengers in a dual-class layout, and will enhance significantly Kunpeng's operational capability.<br /><br />"We are very pleased to take delivery of our first EMBRAER 190 jet, which we believe will be an ideal aircraft for us to explore the emerging Chinese regional aviation market," said Mr. Li Kun, Vice Chairman of the Board and President of Shenzhen Airlines Co., Ltd. "With this reliable new model entering service, we will be dedicated to building our company into the most sizable, characteristic, and competitive regional airline in mainland China."<br /><br />Kunpeng Airlines is a joint venture between China's Shenzhen Airlines and the Mesa Air Group, of the United States, with the Chinese party holding the larger share. It officially started operations in September 2007, and has established more than 20 routes to date.<br /><br />Publication: PR Newswire<br />Provider: PR Newswire<br />Date: August 29, 2008Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-56706523598873317442008-08-29T14:47:00.001-03:002008-08-29T14:47:37.916-03:00Timber company buys pig iron maker in BrazilCikel, a timber company with an area covering around 500,000 hectares of forests mainly in northern Brazil states, has recently acquired Terra Norte Metais, a pig iron maker located in Marabá city in Pará state.<br /><br />In an interview with Steel Business Briefing, Manoel Pereira Dias, a Cikel director, said both blast furnaces at Terra Norte are being relined at the moment. One will come back on stream in the beginning of September, and the other in the first days of October.<br /><br />Cikel is currently working on a five-year plan for the plant, which is expected to be concluded by the end of this year. The executive did not discount a possible future move into steelmaking.<br /><br />The company supplies trees for several pig iron makers from the Carajás region, but Dias told SBB that this acquisition of Terra Norte will not affect these sales. Besides timber, Cikel also has businesses in logistics, packaging and agribusiness, among others, notes SBB.<br /><br />Terra Norte has capacity to produce around 12,000 tonnes of pig iron per month, or some 144,000 t/year.<br /><br />Soon both parties – Cikel and Terra Norte – will disclose the value of the transaction, said Dias.<br /><br />Publication: SBB - Steel Business Briefing<br />Provider: Steel Business Briefing<br />Date: August 29, 2008Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-18817188687802389162008-08-21T00:20:00.002-03:002008-08-21T00:21:03.838-03:00Solví plans to double revenues, invest in new sectorsBrazilian engineering firm Solví announced its intention to double revenues to 2bn reais (US$1.2bn) by 2012, local financial newspaper Valor Econômico reported. <br /><br />The company plans to invest 1bn reais to increase its presence in water, sewerage and solid waste services, as well as debuting in the energy and construction sectors. <br /><br />The group, which currently has most of its contracts with the public sector, is also looking to extend operations to the private sector, the report said. <br /><br />By diversifying its operations, the company plans to take advantage of the momentum in the infrastructure sector boosted by the launch of the federal government's growth acceleration plan PAC. <br /><br />Solví currently owns Águas do Amazonas, which is the concessionaire of water and sewerage services in Amazonas state capital Manaus, providing 1.6mn people with water and 190,000 with sewerage services. <br /><br />By 2012, the group aims to win four more similar contracts, increasing sector revenues from a 20% share to a 32% share. <br /><br />Solví has already started operating in the construction sector, but in Peru, with an investment of US$50mn to build a highway in Lima. <br /><br />The contract was signed in June and works should be finished by the end of 2009. The aim, however, is to have a construction unit that supports the group's other activities. The construction segment should make up a 6% share of revenue by 2012. <br /><br />Solví currently has solid waste concessions in 17 Brazilian municipalities and three in Peru, in partnership with a local company. It also manages five landfills in Brazil. <br /><br />The Solví holding was created from the restructuring of Vega Engenharia Ambiental and Águas do Amazonas, after the departure of French multinational Suez in 2006. <br /><br />The proposed changes will cause Vega billing to fall from the current 58% to something around 40-45% by 2012. However Vega investments are expected to grow, with plans to build 20 more landfills and continue searching for new concessions. <br /><br />Publication: Business News Americas - English News<br />Provider: Business News Americas <br />Date: August 20, 2008Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-30016614302402731012008-08-18T19:00:00.002-03:002008-08-18T19:00:01.096-03:00Banco do Brasil wants to incorporate Nossa Caixa by NovemberBanco do Brasil (BB) is in the phase of final adjustment in its analysis of the assets of Banco Nossa Caixa, and in the coming weeks it should begin negotiating the price with the sp state government, owner of the institution that BB wants to incorportate before the end of this year, according to its president, Francvisco Lima Neto, speaking last Friday in São Paulo city, where he presented BB results for the first half of the year.<br /><br />Lima Neto said that BB 'is well equipped' to begin the negotiations. The analysis of documents, numbers and information about Nossa Caixa was finished August 5. Despite acknowledging that the transaction is more complex than its incorporation of Banco do Estado de Santa Catarina (Besc) (which BB hopes to finalize in September or October) due to the volume of assets and the size of the Nossa Caixa operation, Lima Neto said that BB is working to reach an accord by the end of November. The Plan is to send the proposal to the São Paulo State Legislative Assembly, which must approve the deal, before it begins its yearend recess.<br /><br />If it incorporates the Paulista bank, BB will issue stock to pay for the transaction, said Aldo Luiz Mendes, vice-president of finances, the capitals market and investor relations, who also analyzed the purchase of Banco do Piauí, a process which is still in the initial phase but which should be similar to Besc, he said. Also in the initial phase of talks is the incorporation of Banco de Brasília.<br /><br />Publication: Gazeta Mercantil - OnLine News - en<br />Provider: Gazeta Mercantil / Investnews<br />Date: August 18, 2008Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-72335338033941168672008-08-18T18:47:00.000-03:002008-08-18T18:48:05.991-03:00Brazil airline TAM receives 1st of eight boeing aircraftBrazil's largest airline, TAM Linhas Aéreas, has received the first of eight 777-300ER aircraft bought from Boeing, the company said in a statement Monday.<br />The jet will be used for daily flights between São Paulo and Frankfurt, and São Paulo and London.<br /><br />Prior to that, TAM will initially use the plane for its São Paulo-Santiago de Chile route.<br /><br />The 777-300ER is a three-class aircraft with capacity for up to 365 passengers, TAM said.<br /><br />With the latest jet, TAM's fleet has expanded to 116 aircraft.<br /><br />Publication: Agência Estado - AEBrazil English News<br />Provider: Agência Estado<br />Date: August 18, 2008Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-83676212619699783262008-08-14T13:43:00.001-03:002008-08-14T13:43:59.679-03:00Gerdau Açominas to further expand capacityGerdau’s board recently approved an investment to expand capacity at its Açominas works by another 500,000 tonnes per year, following the mill's recently concluded expansion from 3m t/y to 4.5m t/y, Gerdau CEO André Gerdau Johannpeter said during a conference call monitored by Steel Business Briefing.<br /><br />Johannpeter said US$277m will be spent on the new project, which is expected to be concluded by 2010.<br /><br />Asked by SBB whether Gerdau would be willing to produce rails with the extra 500,000 t/y of capacity, since domestic demand for the product has been increasing (see related story), the executive said output would be designated for longs steel products such as rebar and wire rod.<br /><br />Gerdau’s CEO also said studies regarding an EAF longs plant in Brazil’s northeastern state of Pernambuco, as recently reported by SBB, point to an annual capacity of 500,000 t in the mill's first phase, before ultimately reaching up to 1m t/y.<br /><br />Publication: SBB - Steel Business Briefing<br />Provider: Steel Business Briefing<br />Date: August 14, 2008Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-72475439553119061822008-08-12T17:08:00.000-03:002008-08-12T17:08:00.170-03:00Vale orders 12 new vessels for Asian 'shuttle service'Brazilian iron ore giant Vale signed a contract with China's Rongsheng Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries for the construction of 12 large ore carriers, each with a capacity of 400,000 deadweight tonnes (dwt).<br /><br />In a statement sent to Steel Business Briefing, Vale says those will be the largest ore carriers to be built in the world. They will form the central element of the company's “shuttle service” carrying iron ore from Brazil to Asia.<br /><br />Vale had previously announced the construction of four 388,000 dwt ships, one 300,000 dwt and one 290,000 dwt converted crude carrier. Together with the new ships and three already existing Capesize vessels, the company will have a fleet with an estimated capacity to transport 30.2m tonnes/year of iron ore from Brazil to Asia.<br /><br />The first of the new vessels is expected to be delivered at the beginning of 2011, says Vale, adding the completion of the order is expected to take place in 2012.<br /><br />Vale will invest US$1.6bn in this contract. "This capital expenditure is in addition to our investment program of US$59bn for 2008-2012," says the company.<br /><br />Publication: SBB - Steel Business Briefing<br />Provider: Steel Business Briefing<br />Date: August 12, 2008Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-651004301752511474.post-40485723580771783832008-08-12T16:06:00.000-03:002008-08-12T16:07:57.354-03:00Rio Tinto in advanced talks on Brazilian steelworks projectRio Tinto is near to an agreement with two companies for the construction of a steelworks in Corumbá city, in Brazil's midwestern state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Last week the company announced plans for a substantial expansion of its iron ore mining operations in the region.<br /><br />“Rio Tinto has started procedures to get the construction license, but steelmaking is not part of our core business,” said a company director, stressing that the miner will not have any participation in the steel project.<br /><br />Talks about the new steel plant started back in 2005 with more than 10 companies, local and foreign, as reported by Steel Business Briefing. The technology used should be based on natural gas, taking advantage of the good supply in Corumbá. Initially, capacity should stand at 1m tonnes/year for the production of billets, other semis or finished steel.<br /><br />“The success of the steel plant will impact the following phases of our expansion plans in iron ore,” said the director about Rio Tinto’s plan to expand its iron ore production to 23m t/y.<br /><br />Publication: SBB - Steel Business Briefing<br />Provider: Steel Business Briefing<br />Date: August 12, 2008Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0