The Gerdau Group constantly invests in improving operating efficiencies in its units. We direct resources to the continuous technological upgrade of our industrial centers, the training of our teams, the reduction of costs and the improvement of total workplace safety.

Over the last five years, we have expanded our annual installed capacity by 217%, from 4.6 million metric tons to 14.5 million metric tons, achieving important gains. This growth strategy has allowed us to develop a productive structure that is capable of adapting to variations in regional and international market demand for superior quality products. Currently, Gerdau steel is produced in market mills – which employ electric arc furnaces and rely on the local market to buy raw materials and sell products – and in integrated steel mills, characterized by the use of blast furnaces and iron ore.

In the industrial area, the Gerdau Group seeks to add value to its products to meet the needs of important economic sectors. For this, we have invested in long steel rolling and drawing technologies, in the production of reinforcing meshes and in rebar fabrication. In relation to slabs, blooms and billets, we invest in quality inspection and in sulfur and phosphorus removal processes, among others.

This year, the progress in consolidating the operations of our new North American units, and the operation of the Ouro Branco unit at full capacity in Brazil were the main factors backing the growth of over 30% in the output of crude steel and rolled products.

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