EMBRAER BREAKS GROUND FOR ITS NEW FACILITY IN PORTUGAL
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City of Évora welcomes Embraer to produce components of composite materials
São José dos Campos, July 26, 2009 – Embraer broke ground, today, for a new industrial unit to
be built in the city of Évora, Portugal. Participating in the event were the Prime Minister of
Portugal, José Socrates, and Embraer’s President & CEO, Frederico Fleury Curado, along with
the Mayor of Évora and other Portuguese Government officials.
The new 15,000-square-meter facility, scheduled for completion by the end of 2011, will be
dedicated to manufacturing complex airframe structures and components in composite materials.
“Today’s groundbreaking celebrates a milestone for Embraer, as it expands its global
presence,” said Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer President & CEO. “This is a strategic step
towards improving our Company’s productivity and competitiveness. We are honored and
proud to strengthen our bonds with Portugal and, more widely, with Europe, one of our
largest and most important markets.”
The new composite material manufacturing facility will rely on state-of-the-art manufacturing
processes, in conjunction with the Company’s lean manufacturing initiatives. In order to
sustain and further develop the competencies of its centers of excellence, Embraer has been in
contact with local organizations, including potential suppliers, research centers, and
universities.
This facility represents an estimated total investment of € 48 million, which is fully integrated
with Embraer’s long-term planning and budget, and consistent with Company’s economic and
financial projections.
“We are proud to celebrate this achievement for Portugal, as we progress in consolidating
our aerospace cluster,” said José Socrates, Prime Minister of Portugal. “The expansion of
Embraer in our country will be a big boost for the economic development of Évora and its
region, and will demonstrate the competence of our workforce and the ability of our country
to be involved in such a selective and demanding industry.”
About Évora
Évora is the capital of the Alentejo region (130 km south of Lisbon), in Portugal, and plays an
important role as an agricultural and services center. It is the home of several institutions that are highly important to the region, such as the state-run University of Évora and the district hospital.
Recently, Évora has developed the aerospace sector by creating a new 877,000-square-meter
Aerospace Industrial Park, located near the municipal airfield. Embraer will be the first investor.
Due to its well-preserved old town center, which is still partially enclosed by medieval walls,
and a large number of monuments dating from various historical periods, including a Roman
Temple, Évora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
