On April 26, Schattdecor inaugurated its newly-built decor printing plant in São José dos Pinhais, a town close to the financial city of Curitiba.
Over 300 guests were welcomed to the inauguration of the new decor printing plant by Schattdecor's founder Walter Schatt, and Roberto Waack and Michael Then, the Brazilian subsidiary's managing directors.
During the course of the festive event, Walter Schatt held a speech recounting the development that Schattdecor AG has taken in Brazil. As he related, the company originally became involved in the South American country in April 1999, when it established a sales office in Curitiba, purchasing a plot for a factory building later on in the year. This was followed by the acquisition of the decor printing company Pertech in Embu, near Sao Paulo, in 2003, and the start of production. The intended new factory began to take on shape in November 2004 with the laying of the foundation stone, and the first reel of decor paper was produced 14 months later in February 2006. The factory's inauguration was taking place on a special date for Schattdecor, for as its founder pointed out, "We have come of age today, as it was on this day 21 years ago that Schattdecor was established in Germany."
The Brazilian investment by the global market leader in decor paper has the same rationale as its engagement in Russia and China. All three regions have large populations but low purchasing power in comparison to the situation in Europe. By producing decor paper in "Made by Schattdecor" quality for inexpensive furniture and flooring surfaces, the Bavarian company is seeking to develop the markets in question and play an instrumental role in improving and embellishing residential and work interiors.
Speeches were also held at the ceremony by the Minister of Economic Affairs of the state of Parana and the Mayor of São José dos Pinhais, who both noted that the statement "Schattdecor seeks to be not just a place of work but also an environment where people can develop and unfold", as contained in the company's guiding principles, had been realised in exemplary manner in the planning of the plant. The park-like landscape at the former weekend residence had been preserved, including all the auracarias (a protected species of conifer that also figures in the state of Parana's coat of arms). As the minister pointed out, "The whole of the factory is an extremely positive example of industrial architecture with a human face".
In commemoration of Schattdecor's 21st anniversary, its founder pledged to support the São José dos Pinhais Foundation for Problematic Youth Groups, which fosters troubled young people from the town and its surroundings. As he said, Schattdecor will make an active contribution to improving the skills of school students and making them fitter for later employment, and hopes in this way to defuse social flashpoints.
The employees, customers and guests celebrated the opening of the new decor printing plant in Brazilian and Bavarian manner until deep in the night.
A note of interest: After the ceremony, Harry Schulz, Production Manager at the Schattdecor headquarters in Thansau, Germany, bumped into no less a personage than Pelé at the airport. It was in this way that the famous football star learned about the opening of the new decor printing plant.
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In the case of any questions, please contact:
Schattdecor AG
Corporate Communications
Bernd Reuss, M.A.
Phone: ++49/(0)8031/ 275-2779
Fax: ++49/(0)8031/ 275-2500
Email: b.reuss@schattdecor.de
