June 26, 2013 How is SA Paulista Building a Better Future?

Volume 16 | Issue 5

This heavy-duty construction company invests in technology and training to meet demands for increased infrastructure in Brazil. Reuben Ford

The company, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in April 2011, is among the most recognized in the sector and an important part of Brazil’s past, present and future.

As infrastructure across the board buckles under the weight of a growing Brazilian economy, SA Paulista has plans to provide rapid support.

“The current situation is a challenge for all construction companies – to expand and build at the speed that is required. It’s a challenge we can handle,” says Ubirajara Amorim Filho, Vice President of SA Paulista.

A Boost for Brazil
As the hosting country of the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic games, Brazil is faced with improving its urban infrastructure to support the influx of visitors that the events will attract.

Improving transport links and boosting the country’s energy sector have been priorities of the Brazilian government for some time.

The Accelerated Growth Program (Programa de Aceleração de Crescimento – PAC) estimates allocated spending of $800 billion on Brazil’s infrastructure sector between 2008 and 2013. The energy sector will demand around $400bn of the total amount.

Founded in 1951, SA Paulista is no stranger to the country’s demands. The civil construction company, operating in the heavy-duty segment made its name in paving and has been instrumental in building Brazil.

Today, the expertise of the company is widespread, with substantial “projects in road and urban planning networks and energy-resources such as hydro-electric plants.

“We have developed through experience, trust and excellence, just some of the values that we offer our clients and that motivate our team,” Amorim says.

With administrative offices based in industrial capital São Paulo, SA Paulista operates all over Brazil – notably in the states of Tocantins, Paraíba, Pará, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

Despite its focus on national projects, SA Paulista keeps a watchful eye on worldwide technology, trends, tendencies and techniques. Members of staff are sent to trade shows such as Conexpo-Con/Agg, held every three years in Las Vegas, and Bauma in Germany among others.

Technology is part of SA Paulista’s growth. “We have invested heavily in all types of new equipment,” Amorim confirms. The core business, paving, is now very different in technological terms, with processes controlled electronically and state-of-the-art machinery perfecting processes.

Paving the Way
“It all started with paving surfaces, which led to other types of heavy construction – it is in our blood,” Amorim says.

Building, improving and innovating on the roads has been SA Paulista’s trademark for six decades. Surfacing work, such as on the 80-kilometer widening of the Euclídes da Cunha freeway in São Paulo, combines pioneering concepts with tradition and shows a permanent strive toward modern and effective solutions.

Airport construction has also become a specialist area for the company, following completion of new airports such as Comandatuba in Bahia state, Ribeirão Preto and Presidente Prudente airports in São Paulo.

Urban transport solutions have been provided through participation in several important projects like the Ibirapuera Corridor route, which connects the north and south zones of busy state capital São Paulo for over 600,000 people every day.

The investments made in expanding the company’s fleet of machinery and equipment are part of a long-term plan and commitment to improvement.

“In March 2000 we put a new management strategy into place, which has shaped our growth,” Amorim continues. The integrated management system considers the impact of projects and promotes sustainable solutions, guaranteeing the safety of employees and the environment.

The assured quality of the system increases customer satisfaction, with construction exceeding expectations. The new measures serve to perpetuate the long-standing reputation of SA Paulista in the market.

“In relation to our staff, we offer training and promotion opportunities. Our safety and risk management procedures have been reviewed and are constantly being verified and updated where possible. Our staff is also made aware of the environmental issues the management system addresses,” Amorim explains.

Forward-Thinking
The ten-year development plan has also brought new investment areas to SA Paulista. “As part of our strategy to improve infrastructure, we have researched new opportunities and become involved in new industry sectors such as sanitation and energy generation,” Amorim continues.

SA Paulista has significantly increased its presence in the energy sector through the construction of dams and mid-size plants for hydro-electric power. The Porto Franco power station on the River Palmeiras in Tocantins is one of the company’s installations.

More recently, SA Paulista has channeled investment into a wind power plant in the north-eastern state of Rio Grande do Norte. “One of our partner companies, Maestro Energia is building the park at a cost of $200 million,” Amorim confirms. The energy plant is due to open in June 2013 and marks a giant step forward for SA Paulista.

Amorim continues: “In the last four years, wind power has come forward leaps and bounds, with government incentives for development initiatives, we are proud to be part of this joint investment.”

Contributing to infrastructural improvement is not only a question of building projects, but also investment in projects that shape and change the future of Brazil. One of SA Paulista’s most recent acquisitions is German-built machinery for the safe and sanitized disposal of hospital waste.

Having studied the market, the company opted to invest in one of the only machines of this type available in Brazil. An appointed director of new business manages a qualified team who identifies such investment opportunities and places the case before the board and shareholders.

“We always invest in areas directly linked to engineering,” Amorim SA says.

Having expanded its services from paving to power, SA Paulista has proven its dedication to a cause, and is adeptly improving the infrastructure of Brazil.

As the company helps the country play catch up on plans that have fallen behind schedule, its clients know they are on the right road.

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