Due to an exclusive contract signed in 2001, WEG supplies LV and HV motors, drives and CCMs(Motor Control Centers?) for diverse installations of the Group Votorantim, one of the largest economic conglomerates in Brazil. “Active in several industrial segments including cement, concrete, cellulose, paper, steel and concentrated citric juices, Votorantim are a market leader and by renewing the agreement, our successful partnership will continue until 2012”, explains WEG's technical sales analyst Roberto Carlos Contini.

Most recent WEG contracts for Votorantim include installing eight energy substations throughout Brazil with an investment of around $21 million. Six 69kV and 138kV substations, whose capabilities range from 7.5 to 30MVA, are being supplied to Votorantim Cimentos. One substation is already active and supplying energy for the new grinding factory in Pecém/CE, while others are in the construction phase and will equip the Aratu/BA, Xambioá/TO, Porto Velho/RO, Vidal Ramos/SC and Baraúnas/RN factories. Aratu and Xambioá will be energized this year while the others will be operational before the end of 2009”, explains Kleber Sartori, WEG's Substation Business Center manager, “We build and deliver the full turnkey projects for substations starting from ground level, no matter where our customer is”, he adds.

Continuing the successful partnership between these two giants, WEG is installing another two 138kV and 230kV substations generating 30MVA and 180MVA for Votorantim Metais. These are being supplied for the plants located in Barra Mansa/RJ and Niquelandia/GO, whereas the first is ready for start up the second will become operational later this year.