View non-flash version
A Special Advertising Report (Advertisement) BRAZILIAN SHIPBUILDING VEROLME ASSUMES LEAD IN INDUSTRIAL EXPORTS Verolme yard at Angra dos Reis LANDSBERG SEES DECLINE OF TRADITIONAL BUILDERS Peter A. H. Landsberg, the 60-year-old president and new owner of Verolme do Brasil, believes that shipbuilding is no longer an "appropriate" industry for highly industrialized nations, which are entering the "post- industrial" stage of economic development. In a recent interview at Verolme's headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, Landsberg said that the shipbuilding industries of the U.S. and Europe arc in an "irreversible decline," and even the large Japanese yards show signs of losing their com- petitive edge. Developing nations such as Brazil, Korea and China inevitably will be the dominant forces in world shipbuilding, Landsberg Landsberg says. He outlined some of the specific advantages which will permit Verolme to participate in this growth: —"We have a large local market in Brazil, which is the basis for any export potential." —"Brazil has a sophisticated industrial base which is larger, for example, than Korea's." —"Local steel is of excellent quality, and we have ample supplies of electrical power." —"We have a stable labor pool, with no strikes affecting Verolme in more than 20 years." —"Automation can only be taken so far in shipbuilding. After that, labor quality is what counts — and our productivity is better than that of European yards, with the same quality." — "Our yard is one of the most modem in the world. We can tailor ships to special order better than the mass-production yards of Japan and Korea." • FIRST US NAVY JOB IN BRAZIL Verolme completed the first Bra^tltan repair job on a U. S. Navy vessel m early 1984 and intends to expand this type of specialised service work at its fully integrated Angra dos Reis shipyard. Located 70 milts southwest of Rio dt Janeiro, the yard has a 200-man team devoted exdusively to repair jobs. U.S. Naty authorities say they were "very impressed" with Verolme's efficiency in handling the 20-day hull and general repair work, on the oceanographic research vessel Wilkes. Verolme's previous repair assignments, mainly for Braxtltan owners, have been concentrated m the area of offshore oil drilling rigs and exploration platforms and ships. • Verolme do Brasil, with overseas sales of ships and offshore platforms totaling US$200 million in 1983, has become the leading private Brazilian exporter of manufactured goods. During the past four years, Verolme's exports have totaled US$428 millioQ, keeping Brazil firmly in the highly competitive international shipbuilding marketplace. Verolme executives believe that their chances to win new orders at home and abroad, especially in the field of military vessels, have been enhanced by the change in company ownership which occurred during late 1983. Peter A H. Landsberg, the Brazilian executive who became president of Verolme in 1981 after 14 years as head of Shell's Brazilian operations, has purchased Verolme from its Dutch parent company Rijn- Schdde-Verolme (RSV) The US$6 3-million purchase deal is one of the largest-ever local buyouts of a foreign-owned firm. Since entering the export business four years ago, Verolme's success has been marked by the size and diversity of its construction capacity — for ships up to 600,000 dwt and offshore rigs of any type and size — plus the company's ability to please some of the market's most demanding customers. Gulf International of Geneva, for example, took delivery of four Verolme-built 70,000-dwt grain carriers in 1982-83. Gulf executives now report they have "never received better ships." This group has another four Verolme 44,500-dwt carriers on order. And Verolme beat out 70 other competitors — including Japanese and Korean firms — to take a US$116-million Aramco contract in December 1981 for four self-propelled jackup oil platforms. They were delivered in 1983. Today, Verolme is expanding and diversifying its Brazilian facilities to move into new industrial transportation fields — including the building of large off- road mining trucks and dredges. Verolme's repair dock i For additional information about Verolme, contact: Edna de Almeida, External Affairs Advisor VER© fVSIE Verolme Estaleiros Reunidos do Brasil S.A. 1 Rua Buenos Aires, 68 - 36th Floor 20070 Rio de Janeiro, RJ - BRAZIL Telephone (021)292-3148 - Telex (021)23766 VERB 18 Circle 283 on Reader Service Card Maritime Reporter/Engineering News
