Manitowoc to open Brazilian factory
28 February 2011Manitowoc has announced that it will open a new factory in Passo Fundo, Brazil. The facility, expanding over an area of 25000 sq m, will produce mobile hydraulic cranes. It will be supported by Manitowoc’s existing sales and services office in Sau Paulo.
Manitowoc plans to build the factory on a rapid schedule: It will begin construction 60 days after Brazilian government officals have given their approval, and it will begin production 15 months later.
Manitowoc’s subsidiary, National Crane boom trucks, has been operating in Brazil since January 2008. It receives boom shipments from Manitowoc’s American factory in Shady Grove and mounts them on locally-made commercial trucks.
Cranes Today reported on the possibility of a Brazilian manufacturing site three years ago, following Manitowoc’s acquisition of a 50% stake in a Chinese mobile crane manufacturer, Tai’an Dongyue. It noted Manitowoc’s intention to replicate the Chinese business model at a future plant in Brazil.
Manitowoc has affirmed this strategy of acquiring high growth markets with good distribution networks, suppliers and clients, by rapidly establishing a new location in Brazil, where it has an existing client base.
Larry Weyers, executive vice president of Manitowoc Cranes, Americas region, said: “Our philosophy is always to be as close to customers as possible. That applies to everything we do: design, manufacturing, sales and service. Over the last few years, we have significantly enhanced our presence in Latin America, and this new factory demonstrates Manitowoc’s belief in the market potential.”
