Our Man in Brazil
Mr. Alcantara, what project are you currently working on?
On our growth in general. In an unstable country, we have to be creative in that regard. On the one hand, we have to maintain our large market share. On the other hand, we’re planning a collaborative partnership for the future between GM Brazil and ContiTech Germany with reference to the belt-in-oil products. In addition to that, we see options for smaller projects with FIAT and in the multi V-belt field with Mercedes Benz Trucks. And, finally, we aim to take every opportunity for our OES products, such as elastic belt kits and kits with tensioners.
What does this work mean for your OE Segment?
In Brazil, a strong market presence of 40 percent makes up a company’s success. If we wish to ensure that future decisions are taken in our favor, it’s important to maintain our leading position. The OES business and the aftermarket can also only benefit from the good reputation that we have in the OEM field.
What successes do you particularly enjoy looking back on?
Producing the belts for the VW EA211 engine, for example, is one of our milestones. Then there’s the GM GV4 engine, which made us GM Brazil’s main belt supplier. Plus the production of multi V-belts for the Ford SOP in 2008. My experience at Ford Zetec Rocan Motor and Sigma motivated me never to give up on FIAT. That’s paid off now (see article on p.XY). We’ve made use of OES measures to compensate for the crisis over the past three years. I enjoy looking back at our successful growth. When I joined ContiTech, we supplied 700,000 belts to OEM customers. That has now grown to more than four million belts per year. I’m really proud of that.
What role does your team play in your work?
A very big one. It’s important to have the right people on board in the right places. That’s why I put a very great deal of effort into hiring and choose those who offer the best skill set. They need to be a perfect fit with us so that they can support us in our AOE business with our complex customers. We can teach them the rest. I’m glad I can say we’ve found the right people. It’s not even up to me to motivate them, as they are real self-starters.
What do you do to relax from the stresses of work?
I head up two BUs AOE Sales– the PTG and Air Spring Systems. Finding the right work/life balance is a daily challenge for me. Fortunately, I have a great deal of flexibility at ContiTech, and my bosses Alexandre Casal, Ralf Berger and I have an open and uncomplicated collaborative relationship. The outcomes of this work are a consequence of this freedom to act. Outside work, like to spend time with my family and friends, watch movies, read, exercise and work in voluntary roles at universities and ONGs.
This article was written by our employee.
Hailton Alcantara
