Força Local concluded the 2nd Cycle of the Local Supplier Development and Qualification Pillar (PDQF) in Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo with the delivery of certificates to 58 companies from Catas Altas, Mariana, Ouro Preto and Santa Bárbara, in Minas Gerais, and Anchieta, Guarapari and Piúma, in Espírito Santo, during events held in November, in both states. Of the total, 31 companies were certified in Minas Gerais and 26 in Espírito Santo. The action provided qualification to suppliers who participated in activities carried out in the second half of this year for business development purposes.

During the meetings, consulting and guidance were offered, aimed at improving productivity and the quality of services provided by the companies, with approaches on strategic planning, occupational health and safety, financial and people management, project management and employee qualification.

“It is very good to see this pillar working punctually, based on the deficiencies and needs of each company. Throughout the work we noticed the maturation of entrepreneurs and how they are left with a broader view of their business. We believe and work to strengthen the local supplier, because we know that this way we are contributing to foster the socioeconomic development of the territories where we operate”, highlighted the coordinator of Força Local, Elisangela Toledo.

In all, there were 28 events, 58 technical mentorships and more than 60 response actions held since August this year in both States, the beginning of the 2nd Cycle of the PDQF.

Partnership for development

“At my company I was in charge of administrative and financial areas and I solved all the problems. When we received support from Força Local, I began to understand what was wrong, where I should get it right, when to train our employees and show a new way of doing things and changing our business. When you have an extended hand, you start to look at things in a different way and understand what planning is”, highlighted Jocimar Paganini, Lavoro Construções, from Guarapari.

“After Força Local, we expanded our store and improved our management. We learned a lot about planning, logistics and inventory. We hope to be able to serve Samarco and other customers soon”, celebrated the representative of Sid Parafusos e Ferramentas, from Mariana, Sidney Moreira.

In July of this year, another 26 suppliers from Minas Gerais were certified by the program in the 1st Cycle of the PDQF and 28 in Espírito Santo. In all, 112 companies were certified in 2022.

Força Local

The program aims at fostering socioeconomic development in the municipalities where Samarco operates in Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo. The initiative is based on the political, qualification, business, monitoring and development and qualification pillars. The program also provides workshops, lectures and seminars as a way to improve and prepare professionals and companies for the job market. Força Local is carried out in partnership with class entities in the municipalities.