2024-07-17 | By Brazilian Footwear
One of the main footwear manufacturers in Brazil, Calçados Beira Rio, which manufactures more than 500 thousand pairs daily for its eight brands - Beira Rio, Moleca, Vizzano, Molekinha, Molekinho, Modare Ultraconforto, Actvitta and BR Sport - wants to expand the share exported in the coming years. Present in more than 100 countries, the company wants to increase from 15% to 25% the percentage of items produced that are shipped abroad. For that, it counts on the expertise of its team, globally recognized brands and the fundamental support of Brazilian Footwear, a program to promote footwear exports maintained by the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) in partnership with the Brazilian Agency for Export and Investment Promotion (ApexBrasil).
The Calçados Beira Rio, committed to sustainability, is certified at the Diamond level of Sustainable Origin, the only ESG and sustainability certification in the world aimed at companies in the footwear chain, achieving over 80% of the program's indicators. This recognition highlights the company's ongoing investment in ESG practices, reaffirming its global leadership position for responsibility and innovation in footwear production.
The head of this footwear giant is the entrepreneur Roberto Argenta, who founded the company in 1975, on the banks of the Paranhana River - and therefore the name of the group -, in Igrejinha/RS. At that time, Brazil was crawling in the production and export of footwear, and Calçados Beira Rio saw the potential of the sector not only to supply a gigantic domestic market, but also abroad. Argenta spoke exclusively to Abicalçados' communication team. Check it out!
Brazilian Footwear: talk a little about your trajectory
Roberto Argenta: I was born in Gramado/RS, in the Serra Gaúcha, and from 11 to 18 years old I was a seminarian. I graduated in Accounting and in 1975 I moved to Igrejinha/RS, where we started Calçados Beira Rio. At that time, with eight employees, we started our production on the banks of the Paranhana River, which gave the group its name. It was a small production, about 150 pairs a day. We reinvested everything we earned and so the company grew until it became what it is today.
Brazilian Footwear: Currently, what is the production of the company and how much of it is exported?
Roberto Argenta: we produce more than 500 thousand pairs per day, of which we export 15% to more than 100 countries, mainly in Latin America. Today, we employ over 10 thousand people directly, in 11 factories in Rio Grande do Sul, in addition to 15 thousand indirectly, through service providers.
Brazilian Footwear: Should the exported share be expanded in the coming years?
Roberto Argenta: Yes, we want to reach 25% in the next few years. We feel that we have development, quality and brands that have already become global. The foreign market has constant challenges, which require quality, investments in technology and innovation and competitive price. We are ready to grow.
[..] we want to reach 25% (exported share) in the coming years. We feel that we have development, quality and brands that have already become global. The foreign market has constant challenges, which require quality, investments in technology and innovation and competitive price. We are ready to grow.”
Brazilian Footwear: To grow in the international market, what is the company's strategy?
Roberto Argenta: We participate in the main international fairs with the support of Abicalçados (Brazilian Footwear) and we have representatives in constant contact with the markets. We currently work with distributors, mostly in Latin America, but we intend to expand this participation, including through direct sales.
Brazilian Footwear: How was 2023 for the company?
Roberto Argenta: Based mainly on the domestic market, we had a 9% growth in revenue.
Brazilian Footwear: Throughout the month of May, Rio Grande do Sul, where the production of Calçados Beira Rio is based, was hit hard by a climatic catastrophe unprecedented in the history of the state. How did the floods affect the group's production?
Roberta Argenta: we had a factory that was hit hard by the floods, which was Roca Sales. There the factory stopped for 15 days. This week (interview held on June, 6th), we have already resumed 100% of our production. We will have a small impact on the group's overall production.
Brazilian Footwear: How has 2024 been for the company? Are there growth expectations?
Roberto Argenta: The domestic market is weak and this has impacted our projections. In any case, we believe in a growth of 5% in the group's turnover and 7% to 8% in the production of footwear.
Brazilian Footwear: Calçados Beira Rio, as one of the largest producers in Brazil, is also notable for its high investments. What were the investments made over the past year and what are the investments planned for 2024?
Roberto Argenta: We invest heavily in technology, in the qualification of our workforce, training, etc. Last year, we also invested in a major expansion of our plant in Candelaria. The total investment for 2023 was more than R$ 30 million. For 2024, we have improvements in the Sapiranga unit and more investments in machinery and technologies. We should repeat the amount invested last year.
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