Organization

Everyone’s heritage

Odebrecht celebrates 30 years of international operations with an exhibition and lecture cycle

written by: Rodrigo Vilar
photos by: Beg Figueiredo

Over 1,200 people, including college students, professors, partners and other guests participated in the lecture cycle titled “Odebrecht, 30 years of Internationalization” held from September to November at the Group’s Salvador headquarters. Part of the Odebrecht Culture Center’s (NCO) program, this initiative aimed to share the global knowledge the organization has acquired with the local community and the world.

“We hold temporary exhibitions at the NCO every year to spotlight different aspects of our history. In 2009, we decided to open our doors to celebrate three decades of international growth with an exhibition and lecture cycle,” explains José Raimundo Lima, the officer Responsible for the NCO.

The speakers included Group members who have played a significant role in Odebrecht’s international operations: Renato Baiardi, a Member of the Board of Odebrecht S.A; Genésio Couto, Responsible for People and Organization for the Executive Vice President of Construtora Norberto Odebrecht (CNO) for Latin America and Angola; Roberto Ramos, Vice President of Braskem’s International Business Unit; Márcio Polidoro, Responsible for Corporate Communication at CNO; Felipe Cruz, Responsible for Sustainability at CNO; and Renato Martins, Responsible for Opportunities Development and Representation at Odebrecht S.A.

“For Braskem, consolidating a robust presence in the domestic market was essential. It provided a springboard for the company to enter the foreign market. We did our homework in Brazil, and now we are setting off for other countries,” said Roberto Ramos, summing up the petrochemical company’s trajectory.

Genésio Couto, who teamed up with psychologist Andréa Fuks to give a joint presentation, listed some of the curious situations expats have had and stressed the development opportunities provided by international experience. He underscored these words by Emílio Odebrecht: “Moving in the direction of other countries has given us an extraordinary capability to increase people’s expertise, and consequently, that of the Group.” All the speakers imparted a common message: the Group always seeks to be a local company, wherever it is present. The key is “being open to the new and unfamiliar, and allowing ourselves to be influenced by the culture,” said Renato Baiardi.

Odebrecht, 65 years


In 2009, while marking 30 years of international operations, Odebrecht is also celebrating 65 years of existence.

Norberto Odebrecht created his individually owned firm in 1944. The following year, he founded Norberto Odebrecht Construtora, which changed its name to Construtora Norberto Odebrecht in 1954.

Today, the Odebrecht Group has over 100,000 professionals in its ranks in 18 countries on four continents, working in the areas of Engineering & Construction, Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Ethanol & Sugar, Oil & Gas, Environmental Engineering, Real-Estate Developments and Infrastructure Investments. The basis, touchstone and inspiration for the work of all its teams is the Odebrecht Entrepreneurial Technology (TEO), as they contribute to the social, economic, environmental and cultural development of the countries where they are present.

*To visit the “30 Years of Internationalization” exhibit online, log onto (www.culturaodebrecht.com.br ) and click on “Exhibition Areas.”