The Furniture Industry Plant is considered the second biggest in Brazil and reaches its 50th anniversary proud of having obtained excellent results in 30 years of good policy and attracting investors.
The furniture produced has spread the fame of the city throughout the country, mainly through the north and southeast. According to the president of SIMA, 90% of the furniture produced is sold in other parts of the country.
The industries from Arapongas are adapting to programmes of total quality and fit into environmental rules in order to reach the international market. One of the demands of the international market is that the furniture represent the “Green Stamp” which assures that the the wood used in the production comes from reforestation areas. To assure that it happens, there is now a green house for the production of young trees (SIMFLOR project) with 2 million trees produced a year in 400 hectares: eucalyptus , pinus and native trees.
The furniture produced has spread the fame of the city throughout the country, mainly through the north and southeast. According to the president of SIMA, 90% of the furniture produced is sold in other parts of the country.
The industries from Arapongas are adapting to programmes of total quality and fit into environmental rules in order to reach the international market. One of the demands of the international market is that the furniture represent the “Green Stamp” which assures that the the wood used in the production comes from reforestation areas. To assure that it happens, there is now a green house for the production of young trees (SIMFLOR project) with 2 million trees produced a year in 400 hectares: eucalyptus , pinus and native trees.
HOW THE INDUSTRIAL PLANT WAS CREATED
"Until the 60s, the economy in Paraná was based on the coffee produced in the region. The climate had a great influence on all the productive sectors. In Arapongas, things worked the same way: From May to September the region waited for the frost that would attack the coffee and cause serious financial problems. As the Mayor of the city I felt the need of transforming this situation. I gathered leaders of the city in order to discuss the future of the city and we came up with two options: Create an Industrial area and promote an Educational Plan, bring culture to Arapongas. Concerning industry, we had a pioneer: Dr. Paulo Walmor Kümmel , then living in SC, cancelled the transference of his company to Apucarana and came to Arapongas. Until now, for our joy, he’s the leader of the Moinho de Trigo de Arapongas (wheat Mill).
At that time, the first pieces of furniture were bought and the first companies were set, along the motorway 369 where 10 “ alqueires” were bought. The first company was Moval leaded by João Martins Cava Filho. Another area, about the same size, was then bought from Mr Ewaldo Cordeiro where the Indústria Gráfica Santa Terezinha was installed, leaded then by the unforgettable Mr Ricardo Quessada.
After that, the process of industrialization couldn’t stop anymore, surprising the state of Paraná and becoming well known all around the country. Then, I left the town hall, but the mayors who came after me guaranteed that the process kept on going and we saw the birth of the biggest furniture industry area in the south of Brazil which is now responsible for thousands of jobs and which is a reason of pride for all people from Arapongas. It’s worth saying that together with the furniture industry, there were others investors that really helped in this process of industrialization. Among them: Pennachi, Prodasa and Produtos a Gosto, including distribution companies like Uniport e Marco.
We also got Nortox, transferred from Apucarana to the District of Aricanduva, due to the area donated by the mayor Antonio Grassano Junior and to the vision of the businessman Osmar Amaral.E o Expoara. It is now recognized in and outside the country and made the city really important for the economy of the state, bringing lots of Brazilian and foreign entrepreneurs to the events which can be compared to Fairs of the “First World”
The former presidents of the Union of furniture producers João Sequeira, Adriano Romera e Manoel Estrada Gonçalves (in Memorian), must be reminded for the union of the category reflecting its conquests. Today, I’m touched when I walk down the streets full of industries, giving jobs for the population of Arapongas.”
"Until the 60s, the economy in Paraná was based on the coffee produced in the region. The climate had a great influence on all the productive sectors. In Arapongas, things worked the same way: From May to September the region waited for the frost that would attack the coffee and cause serious financial problems. As the Mayor of the city I felt the need of transforming this situation. I gathered leaders of the city in order to discuss the future of the city and we came up with two options: Create an Industrial area and promote an Educational Plan, bring culture to Arapongas. Concerning industry, we had a pioneer: Dr. Paulo Walmor Kümmel , then living in SC, cancelled the transference of his company to Apucarana and came to Arapongas. Until now, for our joy, he’s the leader of the Moinho de Trigo de Arapongas (wheat Mill).
At that time, the first pieces of furniture were bought and the first companies were set, along the motorway 369 where 10 “ alqueires” were bought. The first company was Moval leaded by João Martins Cava Filho. Another area, about the same size, was then bought from Mr Ewaldo Cordeiro where the Indústria Gráfica Santa Terezinha was installed, leaded then by the unforgettable Mr Ricardo Quessada.
After that, the process of industrialization couldn’t stop anymore, surprising the state of Paraná and becoming well known all around the country. Then, I left the town hall, but the mayors who came after me guaranteed that the process kept on going and we saw the birth of the biggest furniture industry area in the south of Brazil which is now responsible for thousands of jobs and which is a reason of pride for all people from Arapongas. It’s worth saying that together with the furniture industry, there were others investors that really helped in this process of industrialization. Among them: Pennachi, Prodasa and Produtos a Gosto, including distribution companies like Uniport e Marco.
We also got Nortox, transferred from Apucarana to the District of Aricanduva, due to the area donated by the mayor Antonio Grassano Junior and to the vision of the businessman Osmar Amaral.E o Expoara. It is now recognized in and outside the country and made the city really important for the economy of the state, bringing lots of Brazilian and foreign entrepreneurs to the events which can be compared to Fairs of the “First World”
The former presidents of the Union of furniture producers João Sequeira, Adriano Romera e Manoel Estrada Gonçalves (in Memorian), must be reminded for the union of the category reflecting its conquests. Today, I’m touched when I walk down the streets full of industries, giving jobs for the population of Arapongas.”
Dr. José Colombino Grassano