Tag: Marmomacc Latin America

Facing an economy in recession and a currency devaluation never seen in Brazil, many entrepreneurs had to slow down in 2015. Exceeding expectations on the local market and knowing how to deal with the international market, the stone sector had to reinvent itself. The exchange rate differences introduced an important component and proof that everything was fine at the 41st edition of Vitória Stone Fair | Marmomacc Latin America, in Espírito Santo, in February.

For the dimensional stones segment, Vitória Stone Fair acts as a market thermometer. One of the first fairs which happens in the world with negotiations and projects. “The results are very positive. In fact, every year, the number of visitors increases during the event. This year we received buyers from new markets, such as Trinidad Tobago, that participated for the first time in Vitória Stone Fair. Besides the presence of international delegations, there was also a significant presence of the local market. “Even during the next few weeks, many customers still visit the companies”, says the President of Sindirochas (Stone Association from Espírito Santo), Tales Machado.

For Cecilia Milanez, director of Milanez & Milaneze, organizer of the event in partnership with VeronaFiere, in this period of economic recession, the results of the 41st edition of the fair exceeded industry expectations. “The show surprised visitors and buyers seeking new materials, equipment and technology innovation. We had a large number of international and national visitors. These results reinforce the importance of an international fair in Brazil. Today we can say that the event is a showcase of Brazilian dimensional stones”, she says.

The Superintendent of the Brazilian Center of Dimensional Stones Exporters (Centrorochas), Olivia Tirello, explains that producers are still investing because “in Vitória Stone Fair a lot of companies came to us asking to require to the Government to reduce the import taxes on the purchase of certain equipment and we have the perception that companies are still growing”, she said.

For an industry that in 2015 generated R$ 1.2 billion in the state of Espirito Santo, 25,000 direct jobs and 100 thousand indirect jobs, the Brazilian real underwent depreciation against the US dollar favored business especially because US represents 1/3 of the Brazilian market. The biggest exporter of polished slabs is Brazil, specifically the state of Espirito Santo, responsible for 95% of exports.

Aiming at the foreign market, Vitória Stone Fair has received for the first time foreign missions through the Buyer´s Program organized by Milanez & Milaneze especially from Iran, Australia, Canada and Poland. Together totaled more than 100 international buyers invited by the event, proving that the stone market is reaching new countries. “Sindirochas met international delegations seeking partnerships and new connections to strengthen the Brazilian stone sector in the global market“, said Tales Machado.

Jose Antonio Guidoni, President of the Guidoni Group also bet on the success of the stone sector in 2016. “The stone sector will continue to generate jobs. The Guidoni Group, for example, is opening two new companies which will produce over 250 containers monthly. We also bought a factory in Spain where we produce 200 containers monthly and we will do 22 more extractions within the next 12 months“, said Guidoni.

Business grow automatically and proof of this are the technology presented at Vitória Stone Fair | Marmomacc Latin America 2016. MDIC (Ministry of Development) approved lower taxes in technological processes of extraction and fabrication.
Seminars

During the 41st edition of Vitória Stone Fair, the largest fair of dimensional stones of the Americas, national and international experts talked about exporting solutions to the United States, architectural projects and experiences on the use of natural stone in Germany and Europe.

“Innovation in Architecture and Design” was the theme of the seminar with the renowned architects Luiz Eduardo Indio da Costa and Guto Indio da Costa. They presented the current projects in the city of Rio de Janeiro and the facilities for the Olympics, as well as the work they have done on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro.

The CEO of DNV (Deutscher Naturwerkstein-Verband), the German Association of Natural Stone, Reiner Krug, also presented a seminar speaking about “Sustainable Construction: Building with Natural Stone”, emphasizing the applicability of the stones in German market and how it could be sustainable saving energy. In addition, cases presented as one of the first commercial buildings in Europe to receive the LEED certification from the US Green Building Council, from United States.

Innovation and technology

For the first time in Vitória Stone Fair, the Swedish Sandvik, with over 60 years of experience in Brazil, presented a hydraulic drill for stone drilling, for quartering dimensional stones, as well as provide auxiliary services in the quarry. The DC 120 represents a new way regarding the application of a drill and attending the need for development of the stone sector. With the DC 120 it is possible with only one operator doing twice the work of a pneumatic drill.

“What made us participate for the first time in Vitória Stone Fair was the growth of the dimensional stones segment. The main quarries trust in the hydraulic system to increase production, quality and it is more economic“, explained the Sales Engineer Lucas Lessa Melillo. The success in sales during Vitória Stone Fair | Marmomacc Latin America ensures the participation of Sandvik in Cachoeiro Stone Fair, which will also be held in the state of Espirito Santo between 23-26 August.