Fronius is moving into the Brazilian welding market by founding a Brazilian subsidiary. The intention is to intensify and stabilise ties with the automotive industry, its outside suppliers and other branches of industry as well as training centres in the biggest country on the South American continent. These companies are represented by names such as Aethra, Embraer, Krupp-Thyssen, Senai, Tenneco, VW or Whit Matin. Embraer is amongst the largest aircraft builders in the world and has been using orbital welding tongs to join parts such as highly sensitive fuel and air-conditioning pipes since May 2001. Tremendously high demands must be met due, in this case, to the extreme temperature differences arising between the aircraft wings, the very thin walls of the 0.8 to 1.5 mm in diameter narrow pipes and the material joints of titanium, aluminium and stainless steel place. From December 2003, Fronius do Brazil will move into the market in Vila Tereza Sao Bernado do Campo with seven employees. The start-up team will be led by Wolfgang Niedrist, as manager of the subsidiary, along with an Austrian colleague and five Brazilian employees. Welding jobs in industry and training will be the major area of activity. The focus will be on robots and automation solutions working jointly with Brazilian partners. Wolfgang Niedrist, who has been familiar with the Brazilian market for four years, is pinning his hopes on the digital and, above all, high-performance welding systems.
