Brazil-based OEM, Librelato, is optimistic about economic recovery and the fight against Covid-19, citing numerous achievements the company made during the unprecedented health crisis.
Librelato was elected the best in the Vehicles and Auto Parts sector by the Época Negócios Yearbook, was also the winner of the 21st Edition of the AutoData 2020 Award – Best in the Automotive Sector – in the ‘Exporter / Suppliers’ category and was among the organisations recognised with the Award Catarinense of Excellence.
The manufacturer was also elected as the most innovative company in the Machinery and Equipment segment in the southern region of Brazil, by the ‘Champions of Innovation’ survey, of the Amanhã Group and the respected IXL Center for Innovation, Excellence and Leadership, from Cambridge (US).
While these acknowledgments of the company’s ongoing efforts in innovation and quality are important, Librelato CEO, José Carlos Sprícigo, said developing human and sustainable actions, as well as encouraging social and environmental responsibility are values that are part of the company’s DNA.
“This is confirmed by the certification received from GPTW – Great Place to Work – which considered Librelato one of the 50 best companies to work for,” he said.
“In addition, Librelato adhered this year to the UN Sustainable Development Goals – SDGs, which is committed to meeting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and to the National SDG Movement in Santa Catarina to contribute to the improvement of society’s quality of life.
“We developed sustainability programs, such as the ‘Librelato + Verde’ project, which promoted the planting of more than 4,000 tree seedlings, in order to assist in the restoration of native vegetation in our region. All Librelato professionals, including customers and suppliers, as well as friends from the communities where we have our factories, were invited to participate by receiving a seedling.”
Sprícigo also highlighted Librelato’s international expansion project which made its first sale in the African market in 2020.
“So, despite all the setbacks in 2020, I am extremely grateful,” said Sprícigo. “Gratitude is the feeling we have left for having managed to face all challenges and still emerge victorious with so many achievements.”
In other news, truck production in Brazil exceeded 90,000 units in 2020.
Librelato reported a total of 90,936 units were produced in the country for the year ended 2020 (almost 20 per cent below the total for 2019).
In total, 113,476 trucks were produced in 2019 in the country, 19.9 per cent more than in 2020. In the beginning of 2020, before the pandemic, the National Association of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (ANFAVEA) estimated an increase in the production of trucks of about 16 per cent.
According to the organisation, the pandemic strongly affected the results of 2020, interrupting a three-year recovery cycle after the 2015/2016 crisis.
Despite the fall, the truck segment was the least affected, thanks to the boost of agribusiness and the growth of e-commerce.
Despite still seeing a “haze” on the horizon, ANFAVEA said the numbers for 2021 should be close to those for 2019. The entity foresees a 15 per cent increase in vehicle licensing, considering all segments, with 9.0 per cent growth in exports and 25 per cent in production.
“It has never been so difficult to project the results of a year, as we have a fog in front of us since March, when the pandemic began,” said ANFACEA President, Luiz Carlos Moraes.
“Unfortunately, we see a second wave of Covid-19 in countries in the northern hemisphere, which also appears to have arrived in Brazil. And we know that immunisation with the vaccine will be a lengthy process, which will take almost all year round, preventing a faster resumption of our economy.
“Add to that the pressure of costs, the urgent need for reforms and unpleasant surprises such as the increase in the São Paulo ICMS, and we have before us a picture that still inspires great caution in our forecasts.”
In November, Librelato inaugurated a Libreparts office in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará.