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77 years of driving Brazil's growth

Published 15.10.2024

In the month of Techint Engineering & Construction's anniversary in the country, check out seven interesting facts about the first project undertook in the region: the Santos-São Paulo oil pipeline, completed in 1958.

 

Techint Engineering & Construction's trajectory in Brazil is intertwined with the country's own history of industrial development. Founded in 1945 by Agostino Rocca, in Italy, the International Technical Company SACI (Techint) made landfall in South America the following year when it opened its offices in Buenos Aires. However, it wasn’t long before Brazil was in the company’s sights, and the first office in this country opened its doors in 1947, on Rua 7 de Abril, in downtown São Paulo.

Techint E&C’s Articles of Association, documented in the 10th Notary Office of the Capital of São Paulo on October 14, 1947, are an official document that records the creation and legal registration of the company and trace the beginnings of this long and fruitful relationship.

Entering Brazil with a focus on new markets and overcoming infrastructure challenges, Techint E&C, led by Roberto, Agostino Rocca's son, swiftly established its presence. With a highly skilled team, they tackled bold, ambitious projects, shaping the company's reputation in the national market.

First project: Santos-São Paulo oil pipeline

Techint E&C's first major project in Brazil was the construction of the Santos-São Paulo oil pipeline, a massive endeavor launched in 1950. Spanning 240 km, it was one of the largest and most technically complex infrastructure projects of its era, connecting the port of Santos to São Paulo. This monumental achievement not only secured large-scale oil transportation but also catapulted the company into the spotlight on the Brazilian market.

The project broke new ground on multiple fronts, pioneering the use of advanced welding technologies and tackling the geographical challenges of the Serra do Mar mountain range with innovative solutions. These included laying 22-inch pipes that used circumferential welding, a cutting-edge technology at the time, ensuring both efficiency and safety throughout the installation process.

The company assembled a team of highly skilled engineers, technicians, and workers, many of whom would go on to become some of the most prominent referents of Brazil's infrastructure industry. Their dedication and expertise were crucial to the success of the project, which not only connected two of the country's main economic hubs but also marked a major milestone in Brazil's industrial progress.}

 

Historic inauguration with Getúlio Vargas

In October 1958, President Getúlio Vargas officially inaugurated the Santos-São Paulo oil pipeline, cementing its strategic importance for Brazil's national development. As a staunch advocate for the country’s industrialization, Vargas personally attended the ceremony, underscoring the project's significance and the profound impact it would have on Brazil's economy.

At the inauguration ceremony, President Vargas emphasized the critical role played by infrastructure in Brazil's modernization, noting that the pipeline was as much a triumph for engineering as the realization of his vision for nationwide development. The event solidified the company's standing in the Brazilian market as a leader in executing large-scale infrastructure projects, setting the stage for many more similar initiatives in the years to come.

 

The challenge continues

Since that first major project, Techint E&C has expanded and diversified, establishing itself as one of Brazil's leading engineering firms. It has crossed borders to become a multinational powerhouse, thanks to the vision of its founders and driven by employees who are as passionate about their work as they are committed to their ideals.

Over the years, the company has been responsible for iconic projects ranging from transmission lines and bridges to pipelines and hydroelectric plants, always honoring its commitment to innovation and technical excellence. Emblematic projects include the construction of the Salto Grande-Santa Lúcia power transmission line measuring 142 km (1955); the Salto Grande Hydroelectric Power Plant on the São Antônio River with an output of 112,000 kVA (1956) and the grand Ponte Metálica, the metallic bridge spanning the Rio Grande and connecting Mato Grosso to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, in Bolivia (1956).

Today, 77 years after its arrival, the company continues to play a crucial role in the development of the country’s infrastructure, upholding Agostino Rocca's legacy and expanding its reach beyond the country’s borders.

7 interesting facts 

1. First work in Brazil: The Santos-São Paulo Oil Pipeline was Techint E&C's first major project in Brazil. Begun in 1950, it showcased the company's ambition to contribute to national growth.

2. 240 km long: Measuring a total of 240 km, the project connected two of the most important cities in the state of São Paulo, creating a crucial route for transporting oil.

3. Geographical challenges: The oil pipeline crossed the Serra do Mar, requiring high-level technical solutions from the construction team to overcome the challenges of rugged terrain and dense vegetation.

4. Inauguration with President Getúlio Vargas: Then-president Getúlio Vargas made a point of participating in the inauguration ceremony in October 1958, recognizing the strategic importance of the work for the country's economic development.

5. Innovative technology: The work used 22-inch pipes coated with circumferential welding, which was a cutting-edge technology at the time, ensuring the efficiency and safety of the pipeline.

6. Employment of skilled labor: Techint E&C assembled a team of highly qualified engineers, technicians and workers to execute the project, many of whom went on to lead the Brazilian infrastructure industry.

7. Lasting impact: The Santos-São Paulo Pipeline not only connected two cities, but also marked the beginning of Techint E&C's ongoing contribution to Brazil's industrial and energy development, opening doors for more ambitious projects.

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