Publicado em 08 de dezembro de 2015

Historic partnership between the largest concrete trade show of America and Sobratema will contribute to the development of this industry in Brazil presenting new construction methods and important news in the productive chain of concrete around the world

“We are very happy with this partnership because Sobratema and WOC have the same vision: to present new constructive technologies, services and processes in the areas of concrete and construction”, said Rick Yelton—general editor of World of Concrete—in his presentation carried out in the event that marked the launching of the WOC Pavilion in the Construction Expo 2016, carried out in November 25 at São Paulo. “We also share the same concern about education and qualification of people who are working in the area”, added him. During the last years, WOC was transformed in an event where certification, graduation and skilling are carried out, transferring knowledge and information to the professionals. 

According to Juan Manuel Altstadt, vice-president of Sobratema, there are more than 10 years of relationship with World of Concrete, since the entity organizes each year technical missions to send a delegation of professionals of Brazilian construction to the Trade Show. This process reaches its top with this huge partnership. “WOC has a huge responsibility in market development since it encourages the presentation of technology and information”, analyzed him.

About his projects of bring a pavilion to Brazil, Yelton explained to more than 100 persons that took part in the event—including businessmen, engineers, professionals and leaderships of the most important entities of the concrete business—that WOC intends not only to bring the latest news in the concrete chain around the world but also to contribute for the development of that area in Brazil. “We consider important to divide the knowledge and the technology got by our exhibitors, cosponsors and partner entities outside the United States. The more we share our ideas, the best is the return of the investments carried out in research and innovation”.

The World of Concrete Pavilion will be a place to share experiences and knowledge, with opportunities to open new assignments. “It will also be a chance for our partners acquire knowledge about the Brazilian reality and the challenges of our economy and construction industry. It will be a way to know potential technologies that may be developed in the future”, pointed out Yelton. “In addition of helping our partners to reach new markets presenting their innovations, they also will see different cultures that will help in the development of new ideas”, complemented him. 

For Yelton, there is a large market for the companies that work in the area of concrete, since the innovation is occurring in a very fast speed in this industry. “I use to walk through all stands of World of Concrete looking for innovations. It is amazing how many times there is an engineer or a technician in a very small stand who shows us an innovative technology that may become an important tool to improve and develop the concrete industry”, told him. The World of Concrete is carried out once a year in Las Vegas, USA. Its last edition gathered 1459 exhibitors and 55 thousand visitors in an area above 100,000 sq.mt.

This proposal of rationalized stands will also be used in the World of Concrete Pavilion, offering an innovative way of participation for national and international companies, reducing costs and attending to the current needs of the market. “I believe that we have conditions to bring updating related to BIM, to the more efficient use of inputs, especially water, and to  show other ideas that may help Brazilian companies in their area”, said Yelton.

One of the highest points of the World of Concrete Pavilion will probably be the development of a cycle of lectures integrated to the Construction Congress that will present cases and technologies used in important works of infrastructure and building construction in the USA. In addition, it will promote a new path of interchange between Brazilian and foreign professionals in the concrete industry. 

During the event, Yelton also showed some news of the concrete industry that were presented in former editions of the WOC Trade Show. Carlos Alberto Laurito, Director of Institutional Relations of Sobratema presented an overview of Brazilian construction industry, showing data of infrastructure works and of real estate market.

“Growth retaking is inevitable. It may occur in the second half of next year or later, but it will happen anyway. In this sense, the winner will be who starts before. And the Brazilian entrepreneur has the spirit of winning and persisting. He does not give up and always pays attention to all aspects of his business. Our purpose with the Trade Show is to stimulate businessmen to understand that Brazil will not stop or go back. Our alternative is to dispute the opportunities that will come out”, said Laurito.

Rick Yelton remembered in his speech that the United States also had a recent period of economic recession and that this was a time used to study and spread better the technologic innovations of concrete world. “In the retaking, concrete consumption is one of the first areas to start. And this meets the interests of concrete world during the World of Concrete Pavilion and the Construction Expo 2016”.

According to Afonso Mamede, president of Sobratema, the presence of the World of Concrete Pavilion in this Trade Show may add a lot to Brazilian industry, mainly in the current situation. And this partnership will not be restricted to the event, which is carried out each three years. “It is a long-term strategic alliance that will be encouraged by other activities promoted by our entity, since the WOC is powerful in terms of knowledge and innovation”, pointed him. 

Emphasizing the importance of this partnership, WOC Pavilion is connected to the main theme of Construction Expo 2016 – Moving cities: constructive solutions for Brazilian municipalities, since its design will highlight efficiency, productivity and sustainability. “Our Trade Show will have Lounges and Thematic Pavilions that will also emphasize these features”, such as the VivaCidade Project, in partnership with Sinaenco – Sindicato Nacional das Empresas de Arquitetura e Engenharia Consultiva, the Sustainability Room, in partnership with Inovatech Engenharia/Casa Aqua, the Pavilion of Accessibility, in partnership with Abridef – Associação Brasileira das Indústrias de Revendedores de Produtos e Serviços para Pessoas com Deficiência, SmartCities – Internet das Coisas, in partnership with ITS – Instituto de Tecnologia de Software, The future of my town, in partnership with CBIC – Câmara Brasileira da Construção and the Pavilion of Industrial Construction and Productivity, in partnership with several entities, leaded by Abramat – Associação Brasileira da Indústria de Materiais da Construção.

Mamede also highlighted that the Construction Expo 2016 will work this moment of crisis as a way to get financial resources—that are available in several levels of government—to help in the expected retaking of projects. “It also will be useful to show real examples of innovative projects that are being carried out in several cities. This also helps in this moment, since everyone is focused in the increase of productivity”, ended him.

Representatives of ABCEM – Associação Brasileira da Construção Metálica, ABCIC – Associação Brasileira da Construção Industrializada de Concreto, ABCP – Associação Brasileira de Cimento Portland, ABESC – Associação Brasileira das Empresas de Serviços de Concretagem, da Câmara Espanhola de Comércio no Brasil, DECONCIC/FIESP – Departamento da Indústria da Construção da Federação das Indústrias do Estado de São Paulo, IBRACON – Instituto Brasileiro do Concreto, IBTS – Instituto Brasileiro de Telas Soldadas, ITS – Instituto da Tecnologia de Software, and SINICESP – Sindicato da Indústria da Construção Pesada do Estado de São Paulo, as well as the commercial consul of the United States Steve Knode (U.S. Department of Commerce) were present in the meeting.