Votorantim Metals was created in 1996 through a reorganization of the management model of the Votorantim Group, which grouped its business units according to market focus.
Since then, VM has taken on responsibility for the strategic control of three business units: Zinc, Nickel and Steel. In July 2008, the Steel Business Unit separated from Votorantim Metals to be managed by Votorantim Group’s new business area, Votorantim Siderurgy.
Learn a little bit of our history.
1918
Antonio Pereira Ignacio takes command of the “Sociedade Anonyma Fabrica Votorantim” which would later become the Votorantim Group.
The Society was created through the merger of the Tread and Weaving factory located in Votorantim, formerly in the district of Sorocaba (SP).
1937
The Siderúrgica Barra Mansa is founded in the city of the same name, in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The unit produced steel for civil construction.
1956
The Mineira Metals Company is created in Três Marias, Minas Gerais. Research on zinc minerals begins in Vazante (MG) which would later provide the first shipping of the mineral to Três Marias (MG).
1957
Votorantim takes control of the Tocantins Nickel Company. The 1960s were marked by the first nickel extraction from mines located in Niquelândia (Portuguese for Nickel-land), in the state of Goiás.
1969
Electrolytic zinc production by the Mineira Metals Company begins, with units in Vazante and Três Marias, both in the state of Minas Gerais.
1970
The company’s production capacity for structural steel reaches 250 thousand metric tons per year, after investments in operations and quality.
1981
The Votorantim Group produces Brazil’s first lot of electrolytic nickel in the São Miguel Paulista metallurgical unit, in the city of São Paulo (SP).
1984
After it is privatized, Votorantim becomes a shareholder of the Mineradora Morro Agudo S.A. mining company, located in Paracatu (MG), together with the Ingá (Masa) and Paraibuna metal companies.
1988
Votorantim takes full control of Mineradora Morro Agudo S.A.
1992
With investments of US $500 million, Votorantim begins an expansion that increases its production capacity for electrolytic nickel to 10 thousand metric tons per year.
1993
Production of metallic zinc in ingots grows from 10 thousand to 90 thousand metric tons per year.
1995
Following a sustainable development model, Votorantim begins to use recycled steel (scrap) as its main raw material for production of structural steel.
1996
After a complete restructuring of the Group’s management model, Votorantim Mining and Metallurgy (VMM) is born, becoming responsible for the Zinc, Nickel, and Steel business units.
1998
The production capacity for electrolytic steel reaches 17.5 thousand metric tons per year.
2002
Votorantim Metals increases its Brazilian market share of zinc by acquiring the Companhia Paraibuna Metals Company, in Juiz de Fora (MG).
Production capacity, including the new unit, grows from 170 thousand to 270 thousand metric tons per year.
2003
Beginning of a new expansion in production capacity for nickel. Investments allow production to reach 20.4 thousand metric tons in 2004.
Votorantim Metals acquires the mining company Mineração Serra de Fortaleza, located in Fortaleza de Minas (MG), increasing its total production capacity for nickel 50%.
Expansion of the Morro Agudo unit as well, which reaches production of 35 thousand metric tons of zinc per year.
2004
Acquisition of the Cajamarquilla zinc refinery in Peru begins the Votorantim Group’s expansion in Latin America. The new unit has production capacity of 130 thousand metric tons of zinc per year.
2005
Votorantim Metals increases its Peruvian market share of zinc through an acquisition of 24.9% of the shares of the Milpo Mining Company, the country’s fourth largest zinc mining company.
The purchase is made via the Cajamarquilla Zinc Refinery, VM’s holding company in Peru.
2006
Votorantim Metals establishes a fiscal and financial support agreement with the government of Rio de Janeiro and begins to study the viability of a new structural steel manufacturing plant in the state, the Mini-Mill Project.
2007
Continuing the strategic growth objectives of the Votorantim Group in Latin America, VM acquires 52% of the shares of Acerías Paz Del Rio, the second largest steel company in Colombia. This purchase was completed for US $491 million.
Acerías Paz Del Rio has an annual production capacity of 315 thousand metric tons of structural and rolled steel.
VM acquires the North American company U.S. Zinc for the sum of US$295 million. The company is the main recycler of industrial residues from galvanizers in the United States and leader in the production of zinc metal and higher valued products such as zinc oxide and zinc dust.
The facilities, in addition to recent expansion announcements, positions VM as the third largest zinc producer and as the fourth largest zinc recycling company of the world. It also gives access to two major international distribution sites, the United States and China – where U.S. Zinc owns a plant.
VM becomes the only company in the zinc market with facilities in South America, North America and Asia, integrating mining, metallurgy and zinc recycling.
In December, VM acquired 27% of AcerBrag’s shares, the second largest long steel producer in Argentina with 25% of market share. The company produces 250,000 tones per year of rebars, bars, wire, wire mesh and wire rods.
2008
Votorantim Metals has a market subsidy and becomes the holder of 52.9% of AcerBrag’s shares.
Creation of Votorantim Siderurgy, the unit which joins steel business in Brazil, Colombia and Argentina.
Learn more at www.memoriavotorantim.com.br