Gerdau to increase productivity at Brazilian mills Americas / Special Steels, long products

Gerdau, one of the leading steel producers in Americas, concluded a fee-based agreement with the SKF, Swedish bearings manufacturing company, in order to increase the productivity of its Charqueadas and Aracariguama assets in Brazil.

Under the agreement, SKF will supply Gerdau with bearings, recondition of bearings, lubrication systems and connected products for condition monitoring, accord- ing to the official statement. Besides, SKF will conduct an analysis of critical machinery data at its special center in Brazil, which will help Gerdau plan maintenance work to improve machine reliability and   performance.

The agreement is aimed at increasing productivity and reducing the number of unplanned production shutdowns at the Gerdau assets, Metal expert learnt. “We are focused on generating value and increasing competitiveness in our operations, as well as on advancing with the implementation of innovative solutions in the steel industry,” said Fladimir Gauto, Ceo of Gerdau Special Steel. He noted that partner- ship with SKF will support this strategy.

The Charqueadas asset, Rio Grande do Sul, has an annual capacity of 430,000   t of billets and 465,000 t of longs. The rebar mill in Aracariguama, Sao Paulo, has a capacity of 600,000 tpy.