Socomore and Metal-Chek establish JV in Brazil

Socomore, a world player in surface preparation, treatment and protection, and Metal-Chek, a leader in non-destructive testing in South America, have formed a multi-year partnership through the creation of a joint-venture for the manufacturing and commercialisation of aerospace & automotive products.

The new company Socomore Ltda, owned 60% by Socomore and 40% Metal-Chek, is based right beside METAL-CHEK plant in Bragança Paulista (80km from São Paulo), Brazil. The JV was created following a partnership of more than five years through a trade and industrial co-operation agreement. Each company brings its own expertise to develop sales in Brazil with local customers and/or USA / European companies’ subsidiaries. Metal-Chek, qualified by NBR 15100 (quality standard in Brazil for Aeronautics) and with the management system according ISO 14001 and ISO 9001, manufactures the products on its industrial site, built in 2010.
As part of the new JV, Socomore will continue to provide R&D from Europe and the industrialisation of its products, as well as technical support and the knowledge of the aerospace & automotive market/clientele.
Creating Socomore Ltda reflects Socomore Group’s desire to be permanently present in Brazil and South America. This allows the Group to be closer to its customers and possibly adapt its products to meet their specific needs.
Frédéric Lescure, CEO of Socomore welcomes, "the establishment of the JV, an important milestone in our commercial and industrial development, on a continent that offers significant prospects for development of air traffic and automobile or commercial aircraft construction. As on other territories where Socomore is present, we can serve our Brazilian customers with products manufactured in Brazil by Brazilian team."
Maria Izabel Gebrael Laczko, Director of Metal-Chek and CEO of Socomore Ltda. "Socomore Ltda creation enables a better service to our customers and an extended offer to Brazilian and South America automotive and aerospace market, it is the finalisation of a project started more than five years ago."
For now, the JV has 3 employees:
– A market manager in charge of Business Development in the Aerospace and Automotive
– An operational manager who manages the back office, supply chain, and manages information systems
– An R&D Project Manager
They can rely on the Metal-Chek sales network, six business people who already know Socomore’s products, who will work together to promote, qualify and sell some of Socomore’s aerospace and automotive product ranges:
– Solvent liquids or presaturated wipes
– Aircraft paint strippers
– Water-based lubricants for the cars
– Deoxidisers and descalers parts for engines
– Aqueous degreasers for preparing surfaces before various operations (bonding, painting …)

Created in March 2016, the Joint Venture Socomore Ltda is operational since July 1, 2016. For customers who order Socomore products, the only change is the name of company that operates the commercial management and logistics. Trade details remain the same.