Italian Cobo Group opens in Santa Catarina

May 2016

 The investment is to generate 80 direct and 500 indirect jobs in Joinvilledeve

Cobo Group, internationally known in the world of hi-tech agricultural machinery and industrial vehicles, has chosen Santa Catarina to open the first Distribution Centre in Brazil, and most likely, their first facilities in Latin America. During their visit to the Ministry of Finance (Brazilian SEF) last 2nd May the Italian investors made their decision official and stressed that the State’s logistic structure, qualified labour, and financial stability helped tipped the scales in favour of Santa Catarina. The entrepreneurs had visited and analysed several states for six months.

“Despite the crisis and the impact on revenue, Colombo Administration is radically against raising taxes, a policy that makes Santa Catarina stand out in terms of tax status from the rest of the 18 Brazilian states that adjusted taxes this year,” says Antonio Gavazzoni, finance secretary for Santa Catarina State.

Cobo Group is setting up at the Perini Business Park in Joinville, in the North region of the State. The aim is that, with Joinville as the centre, the company can distribute products throughout Brazil. Activities are expected to start in the first quarter of 2016. At first there will be 80 direct and other 500 indirect jobs, a number that is to grow as the brand gets stronger in the Brazilian market. The Italian Group’s plans are to expand in Brazil. One of the possibilities is to manufacture seats and steering columns. Taking into account all the Cobo units spread in more than 60 countries, the Group has a turnover of € 200 million.

The Italian party that visited the Ministry of Finance was also accompanied by global Chairman Enrico Linetti, Director Wolfango Cozzi, executive Claudio Bariselli in charge of the Brazil Project and João Martinelli, President of ACIJ (Joinville business association). They were received by finance secretary Antonio Gavazzoni and auditor Renato Lacerda.

Department of Communication – Santa Catarina State Ministry of Finance