After acquisitions, Manuchar Brazil makes plans to invest in innovation and human capital
Elected as one of the best companies to work for in Rio de Janeiro, the multinational encourages collaborative management and follows plans to accelerate expansion.
For the fourth year in a row, Manuchar, a multinational of Belgian origin, operating in the distribution, logistics and global trading market of chemical products, was among the best companies to work for in Rio. The award was granted by Great Place to Work (GPTW), 2022 edition. The company was ranked 23rd among the 50 companies that competed in the “medium-sized companies” category (between 100 and 999 employees).
The consistent result in GPTW reflects the strategy defined by Renata Agualuza, CEO of Manuchar. At the same time that the executive put into practice a participatory policy among all employees, from different sectors, the company has been able to overcome the challenges brought by the pandemic through investments in the expansion of its business units and incentives for a cultural change that encourages the innovation.
In September, the closing was concluded (the process of finalizing mergers and acquisitions operations) for the purchase of 100% of the shares of the São Paulo companies Cosmoquimica Indústria e Comércio Ltda and Cosmolog Logística Ltda, after approval by the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE).
The deal marks the entry of Manuchar, which is headquartered in Antwerp, into new segments, such as food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, expanding the business both geographically and in the offer of new products.
According to the CEO, the company will continue with a program of investments in infrastructure, warehouses, robots, promoting investment in innovation and in employees, pointed out by the executive as one of Manuchar's strengths.
With the integration of the businesses, Manuchar will reach ten companies in Brazil, either as the owner of total capital or as a partner.
—We have tried to adapt the company's culture as we perceive new needs among our employees and in the markets in which we operate. This resulted, for example, in important investments in stimulating an innovative culture – says the CEO of Manuchar Brazil.
Internal programs have sought to attract the participation of employees from all sectors and hierarchical levels in the formulation of proposals that contribute to improvements in the company's day-to-day activities.
This year, Manuchar held for the first time an Innovation Olympics among its employees to encourage everyone to contribute with new ideas to improve processes.
— We want everyone to understand that an innovative idea does not necessarily have to be disruptive, but it can still trigger positive changes — emphasizes Renata.
Among the proposals being analyzed are the implementation of internal committees, and ways to improve the use of water and energy in order to avoid waste.
According to the CEO, the Innovation Olympics was important because it showed, in practice, that any employee, regardless of their position or where they work, brings added value, which is the fact of knowing the company's processes.
— Everyone is able to help and innovate, positively impacting stakeholders. This is the only way a company can stay relevant on a constant basis.
Another recent recognition came from winning the gold medal from EcoVadis, an international business sustainability rating platform that assesses environmental, social, ethical, labor practices, human rights and sustainable procurement from an ESG point of view.