Following its strategic plan aiming at continuous and sustainable growth, WEG has just announced new investments for its plant located in Betim, in the State of Minas Gerais.

The Company will invest around R$34 million to expand the production capacity of power transformers and to adapt the unit to produce two new product lines: mobile substations (SKIDS) and repair and repowering of power transformers.

Considered one of the most modern and technological transformer and reactor factories in Latin America, the Betim plant, will be able to manufacture equipment up to 800kV, as well as improve winding, reactor manufacturing, drying system, testing laboratories and mobile solutions.

According to Carlos Diether Prinz, WEG Transmission & Distribution Managing Director, the most relevant investment will be the implementation of a new dedicated line for transformer’s repair and repowering services, as well as the existing one at Blumenau, State of Santa Catarina.

“Strategically located to serve the Southeast, North and Northeast regions, the Betim plant will be able to carry out repairs on transformers above 30MVA all other manufacturers existing in the market. Nevertheless, in addition to logistical gains, WEG will strengthen presence both in the power generation, transmission and distribution markets, as well as in the industrial and renewable segments, explains Carlos Diether Prinz.

Currently, the only WEG unit that performs this type of service in Brazil is located in Blumenau, State of Santa Catarina. With the adaptation of the Betim plant, the Santa Catarina plant will be responsible for the southem region, while Betim will take over the demand of the other regions of the country.

The Betim Transformers and Reactors factory has 32,500 square meters (349,827 sq. ft.) of built area, state-of-the-art equipment and facilities and employs approximately 350 people. After the investments, the plant will have the capacity to repair up to 36 transformers per year, which will provide new expertise opportunities for teams directly involved to these demands, as well as new jobs for the Betim region.