There are 115 employees at the Portão site which houses R&D labs and production facilities. There is an additional warehouse and distribution centre in Franca (São Paulo state). Stahl Brasil are part of Stahl Americas alongside Stahl USA, and Stahl Mexico.
Each division of the company develops its own products to complement the common product range across the group. Stahl Brasil offer tailor-made components for tanners.
Around 30% of sales are exported to Mercosur countries such as Argentina, Uruguay and, more recently, Bolivia, Paraguay and Chile. Stahl Brasil sales totalled more than 5,500 tons in 2005. The majority of these are finishing products.
Remy Vial told Leather International that footwear production for the local market is using more and more synthetic material. He cites the example of hiking boots and sports shoes as two products now made primarily with ‘other materials’.
Environment is a high priority for the company. Stahl Brasil have ISO 14001 certification and ISO 9001 was achieved in November 2005. The company carefully control emissions, have implemented less hazardous chemicals in their processes (every new product is screened for blacklisted chemicals) and have developed new products with a focus on reducing the quantities of solvents contained. Stahl are currently promoting their 100% water-based products.
As an additional service Stahl Brasil provides information on fashion and new trends to their clients. In 2005 and 2006 the company organised a fashion roadshow to present this information directly to the region’s tanners.
The aim is to inspire tanners to create new articles. Stahl leather technicians then visit tanneries in order to develop that product with tanners.
According to Remy Vial, the Courovisão and Fimec fairs are important to the Brazilian industry as they bring new ideas and encourages creativity.
