1901
German immigrant João Gerdau and his son Hugo found the first Gerdau Group unit, the Pontas de Paris Nail Factory in the city of Porto Alegre in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
1907
The business started by João Gerdau is divided into two independent companies: Hugo directs the Pontas de Paris Nail Factory and his brother, Walter, takes charge of the furniture manufacturing business, Móveis Gerdau, also located in Porto Alegre. Later on, in 1930, the two brothers take part in the creation of the Manufacturing Industry Center of Rio Grande do Sul (CINFA), which later becomes the Federation of Industries of Rio Grande do Sul (FIERGS).
1946
Curt Johannpeter, Hugo's son-in-law, leads Gerdau through a decisive stage in the expansion of the company's business. In 1947, Gerdau becomes a limited liability company listed on the Porto Alegre Stock Exchange.
1948
The Gerdau Group enters the steelmaking business with the Group's Riograndense steel mill in Porto Alegre. The Riograndense mill pioneers the technological concept of the market mill, employing scrap metal as raw material and focusing operations on regional marketing and sales, and more competitive operating costs.
1963
The Group develops its culture of social responsibility, creating the Gerdau Foundation with programs in the areas of health, education, housing and social assistance for employees and their family members.
1967
The company's expansion route reaches the southeastern region of Brazil with the acquisition of the São Judas Tadeu wire factory, a nail and wire manufacturer in the state of São Paulo.
1969
Gerdau heads toward the northeastern region of Brazil, initiating steel production in the state of Pernambuco with the Açonorte mill.
1971
Construction of the Cosigua mill begins in the city of Rio de Janeiro as part of a joint venture with the German group August Thyssen Huette. This is also the year in which the Gerdau Group enters the steel distribution business with the first Comercial Gerdau store in São Paulo.
1980
The Gerdau Group's process of internationalization begins with the acquisition of the Laisa steel mill in Uruguay.
1989
International growth advances into North America with the acquisition of Courtice Steel, currently Gerdau Ameristeel Cambridge, located in the province of Ontario (Canada). In 1995, Gerdau strengthens its position in Canada by acquiring a second industrial plant, MRM Steel, in the province of Manitoba.
1992
The Group acquires control of the AZA steel mill in Chile, currently Gerdau AZA. The Group launches the GG 50 rebar, the first in the country to bear a brand name and a guarantee of quality.
1998
In Argentina, Gerdau becomes a shareholder of the Sipar Aceros S.A. rolling mill.
1999
Gerdau starts to produce steel in the United States with the acquisition of Ameristeel. In the same year, the shares of Gerdau S.A., one of the Group's publicly traded companies in Brazil, are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
2001
The Gerdau Group completes 100 years of activity, reaching the 8.4 million metric ton mark for steel production capacity and R$ 551 million in net income.
2002
The Group merges its North American operations with Co-Steel. The move results in the creation of Gerdau Ameristeel, with 11 steel mills and 29 steel service facilities.
2004
Year of expansion in the Americas. The highlight in Brazil is the construction of two new mills and the expansion of the Ouro Branco unit, in the state of Minas Gerais. In Colombia, it becomes a shareholder of the Diaco and Del Pacífico mills. In North America, Gerdau acquires the assets of North Star Steel. Gerdau Ameristeel shares are listed on the NYSE.
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