German continuous mining, bulk handling and IPCC technologies major FAM GmbH based in Magdeburg has opened a new office in Brazil, as part of its commodity diversification and organic growth strategy. With this important strategic step, FAM says it is now able to further support its key customers located in Brazil.
The new office, established in Belo Horizonte, is represented by Paulo Costa and Marco Antônio de Castro, both joining FAM Group and bringing along long-standing histories in the mining business.
“The market reaction was very positive, to have FAM acting locally” highlighted Costa, CEO of FAM Brazil. “We are looking forward to combining German technology in materials handling and service competence, to generate value for our clients” added Marco Castro, Sales Director of FAM Brazil.
“German tradition and competency in mechanical engineering goes together with flexibility and strong client orientation. FAM has a broad portfolio in materials handling both for iron ore and coal. FAM understands the important role of local competences to have close contacts with its clients. With the office in Brazil, FAM continues to invest in Latin America, after its successful establishment in Chile.”
FAM has also made a senior management appointment with Torsten Gerlach, former CEO of the Mining Technologies business unit of thyssenkrupp Industrial solutions, joining as CEO as of November 1. “Through his extensive management experience in machinery engineering and construction, Torsten Gerlach has acquired a broad range of in-depth skills and knowledge necessary to enhance the competences of FAM and over the next years to strategically expand the company’s business as one of the leading full-service providers of machinery for extraction, conveying, loading and storage of minerals, raw materials and commodities.”
“The combination of his outstanding expertise in this industry, international networking and multiple years of management experience in mining makes Torsten Gerlach the ideal choice for the position of CEO of FAM,“ says Dr Katrin Scholz, Managing Director of the main FAM shareholder, CETERUM.
Gerlach is a law graduate and was with thyssekrupp for more than two decades. The career history of Torsten Gerlach includes successful expansion of business activities in Brazil under his leadership as well as in other regions of South America, South Africa and India. In the following years, he was responsible for thyssenkrupp’s global mining business with a focus on strategy, sales and technology.
“I am looking forward to this task,” says Gerlach. “In addition to a successful and timely implementation of the restructuring measures, our goal is to work all together as a team on further development of the strategic position and internationalisation of the FAM Group combined with technologically differentiated and service-oriented customer solutions.”
