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ARGENTINA
to get the new facility operational is only two months. This means that they can react to tariff and political changes at relatively short notice. Vipal are targeting the end of 2016 for the plant to be up and running. Once it is fully functional, it is additionally anticipated that the new plant will be utilised to supply Mexico as the conditions for export to Mexico are more favourable in Argentina than they are in Brazil.
Vipal envisage that the new plant will be complemented by its
Rappazzo and Unigoma Plan for the Future
Bandag retreader Unigoma is moving forward with investment plans that include the purchase of new machines. In recent times, the company has made investments through the procurement of an automatic painting machine and a
cleaning machine. Looking at the forthcoming years, Unigoma also has further plans to completely renovate the plant, including the acquisition of a new buffer and a VMI extruder. Unigoma is located in the neighbourhood of Moron, approximately 22km from Buenos Aires. The company is owned by Esteban Rappazzo, who is also the current President of ARAN, the Argentine Retreaders Association. Unigoma is a family business that was initially set up in 1932 by Esteban’s father, before he took control of the retreading function of the business in the 1970s. Following the economic collapse in 2001, the company lost basically everything and were forced into making a fresh start. This restart was realised
through the formation of a cooperative that raised sufficient capital to rebuild the business from the bottom up. Due to this, the company has its own motto – “La historia no se pierde” – History is not forgotten. After gradual investment in the plant over time, Unigoma now manufactures 1,200 tyres per month. In 2009, the company became a Bandag retreader and
Bahia factory. For example, the new facility will have 4m presses, allowing them to be flexible with certain slower moving sizes. A good case in point is the fact that the New Zealand market requires particular forestry patterns, which are too expensive to make at Bahia, but will be able to be manufactured more cost-effectively in Rosario.
since this time Unigoma has However, this hope and
tried to work and operate at a premium level.
Looking at their recent performance, Rappazzo revealed that business is a little bit down this year, which in his view is actually due to the government changes and the overall economic situation. A recurring theme that has come up during our visit to Argentina, was a feeling of regeneration in the market, which Rappazzo also touched upon. “This year is one of transition and therefore there is some hope and enthusiasm in the market”, he says.
enthusiasm is curbed by the fact that until the right laws are passed and a retreading standard is fully implemented in Argentina, all retreaders will find it difficult to make effective investments. Despite this, it is Rappazzo’s hope that by next year, interest rates will have dropped to around 12 per cent from the current level of 30 per cent. This drop should allow retreaders to invest. With the current economic conditions, it is his belief that now is the perfect chance to source highly qualified personnel and to