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Generating success

In response to the global need for new energy solutions, Martifer Group begins its activity in the renewable energy sector, initially with the manufacture of wind towers, taking advantage of the expertise and synergies with the metallic structures business unit

16/07/2010

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Listed (EURONEXT LISBON) since June 2007, Martifer (MAR PL; MAR.LS) is an industrial group with approximately 4,000 workers present in 16 countries. In 2009 its operating revenue reached 606m euros, posting in the last four years average growth rates above 32 percent. Martifer started its activity in 1990 in the metallic structures sector, conquering the Portuguese market in only six years. Since 1996 the Group has extended its activity to new construction solutions, stainless steel and aluminium structures. Currently Martifer is engaged in three business segments: power equipment for the wind industry, engineering and development of new technologies for electricity production through renewable sources; solar photovoltaic, with one of the most automated production lines with capacity for 50 MW; promotion and development of renewable energy projects, which has 104 MW of operating wind and solar parks, and more than 3 GW under development. With 18 plants in operation worldwide, Martifer has a 20-year history of success.

Metallic construction
Martifer Metallic Constructions is the Iberian market leader in the sector and one of the largest players in Europe. It has industrial facilities in Portugal, Poland, Romania, Australia, and recently in Angola, with a total installed capacity of 80,000 tonnes per year. With a vision of leadership in all the markets where it operates, Martifer Metallic Constructions focuses its development strategy on the high-growth countries of Central Europe and Angola. In mature markets, such as Iberia and Ireland, it seeks recognition from the quality of its engineering and the ability to lead projects of great complexity. Martifer’s portfolio demonstrates its ability to meet goals and overcome challenges, ensuring excellence in all the projects it completes. Essentially dedicated to the execution of projects with a high level of complexity, using in-house design and engineering, complemented by a vast on-site construction team. It executes projects with a high level of steel structure, aluminium façades and glass and stainless steel solutions. With operating revenue of 315.5m euros and an average of 2,146 employees in 2009, Martifer Metallic Constructions is present in 12 countries and is considering the entry into high growth markets like the United Kingdom and Brazil.

Steel structures
Parent company of the Martifer Group, Martifer Metallomechanic Constructions has 20 years of experience in the construction of metallic structures, having participated in the most emblematic works in Portuguese history in recent decades, such as the Expo98 and Euro2004 stadia. With a strategy based on operational excellence and efficiency, Martifer Constructions is recognised as a trustworthy and superior quality partner, capable of carrying out highly complex projects on tight deadlines. The recognition of its quality and competence is reflected in clients’ satisfaction and in the numerous awards accumulated over the years, especially those in the last three editions of the European Steel Design Awards, which awarded three of Martifer’s works: “Dragão” Stadium, “Francisco Sá-Carneiro” airport, and in 2009, the Bridge of Leixões, confirming the competence capability and engineering expertise for large projects. With recognised experience in different types of metallic structures (such as stadia, airports, bridges and tall buildings), in various geographies (especially in Europe and Africa), Martifer is currently one of the largest European players in its segment.

Aluminium
Part of the Group since 1999, Martifer Aluminium specialises in designing, engineering and implementing solutions for façades and building covers. Iberian leader in its segment, it works on the principal of trust, responding efficiently and innovatively to complex requests. The company’s rigorous work methodology combined with the technical capabilities of its employees and the use of the latest technologies and most advanced materials results in the full materialisation of architectural intentions. Martifer Aluminium is present in eight countries and has an outstanding portfolio that demonstrates its ability to execute imaginative solutions and bold and innovative projects as diverse as the “Francisco Sá-Carneiro” airport, the new Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport or the Congress Palace of the Expo 2008 in Zaragoza.

Stainless steel
Integrated in Martifer Constructions since 1996, Martifer Inox’s activity has increased in order to take on large projects, such as football stadiums, shopping centres, airports and public works, clearly benefiting from the Group’s synergies. Human resources competence associated with the underlying technology of its  production unit allowed it to reach for technical rigor which is recognised by clients and the capacity for conception, management and realisation of projects.

Aware of business opportunities and conscious of the importance of water for the future, Martifer Inox has been developing solutions in wastewater treatment since 2007, both in its structural component (stainless steel structure) and in its chemical component, with the objective of asserting itself as a company that combines high environmental consciousness with the most advanced technological resources.

Renewable energy
Today, environmental concerns must be more than an attitude, they must be a way of life and business. Martifer embraces this issue and proposes renewable energy solutions, with a key role in reducing CO2 emissions, making an important contribution to environmental preservation. Thus, it acts in the field of renewable energy in three ways: through Martifer Energy Systems providing equipment for wind energy; in Martifer Solar creating solutions that take advantage of solar photovoltaics; and with Martifer Renewables developing renewable energy projects.

Energy systems
Created in 2004, with the start up of the tower factory, which produces steel towers for wind power turbines, and the wind farm turnkey activity (BoP/EPC), Martifer Energy Systems began as a natural step into the renewable energy sector, collecting synergies, know∞how and leveraging on Martifer’s competencies in steel works, project management and vertical construction. The concern for environmental issues and search for sustainable solutions for the future have led the company to extend its activities in the wind sector, engineering and in the R&D of new technological solutions in the production of energy from renewable sources. Martifer Energy Systems has three industrial facilities in Portugal – production of wind towers (400 towers/year), components and assembly of generators in Joint Venture with Repower Systems (50/50). In the US, in partnership with Hirschfeld Industries, it has a wind tower factory with a 200 tower per year capacity, operational since the first semester of 2010. The company also controls 100 percent of Navalria, a shipyard located in Aveiro, Portugal, which specialises in ship building and maintenance, and the development of solutions for offshore energy. Present in six countries, this activity recorded revenues of 154.5m euros in 2009 and employed 587 people on average.

Solar energy
Martifer Solar is Martifer’s company dedicated to the development and construction of photovoltaic projects, installation of photovoltaic parks under turnkey or EPC contracts, development of architectural integration projects and microgeneration. It currently has one of the most automated production lines with capacity for 50 MW. The company has been working to be on the forefront of solar photovoltaic energy, combining the technical flexibility of its solutions with the quality of its products. To ensure an integrated solution to its customers, besides the photovoltaic modules Martifer Solar also provides solar tracking systems (Smartracker), solar parking lots (Smartpark) and a proprietary solution for rooftops without the need of drilling holes. It is present in Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, Greece, United States, Czech Republic and expects to enter into new markets such as Turkey, Bulgaria and Canada. In Portugal Martifer Solar also operates in the energy efficiency area through Home Energy, which develops projects for the installation of solar energy solutions in households for microgeneration and the energy certification of buildings. The investment and constant development of its Research and Development department allows Martifer Solar to be at the vanguard of solar energy, with innovative solutions in the various business areas. Martifer Solar recorded an operating income of 130.5m euros in 2009, with an yearly average of 290 employees.

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