Santa Catarina Company Employs 47 Thousand People, Invests R$ 1 Billion/Year in Research and Surpasses Giants Like GE and Siemens in Motor Production.
WEG, a 100% Brazilian company founded in 1961 by three partners with capital equivalent to a Volkswagen Beetle, is now valued at R$ 220 billion — second only to Petrobras in the national market. With 64 factories in 17 countries, including 17 in Brazil and 6 in China, the company is the largest manufacturer of electric motors in the world, as well as producing generators for hydroelectric plants and wind towers.
WEG Around the World: 64 Factories and Operations in 120 Countries
The global presence includes:
- Americas: 17 factories in Brazil, 3 in the USA, 4 in Mexico and 2 in Colombia;
- Europe: 3 in Germany, 2 in Italy and 1 in Austria;
- Asia/Africa: 6 in China, 4 in India and 6 in South Africa.
The distribution network reaches 120 countries, with technical support in 42 nations.
Founded in Jaraguá do Sul (SC), the company started with capital equivalent to US$ 30 thousand (the price of a Beetle in 1961). Today, it holds 23% of the global electric motor market, surpassing Siemens and General Electric.
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Innovation: R$ 1 Billion/Year in Research and 4,700 Engineers
WEG maintains:
- Innovation Center at IPT (Institute of Technological Research);
- 10% of the 47 thousand employees are engineers;
- Patents in technologies such as motors for electric vehicles and solar energy systems.
The company is strategic in the energy transition:
- Produces generators for 30% of Brazilian hydroelectric plants, including Itaipu;
- Supplies components for 1 in every 5 wind towers installed worldwide;
- Develops batteries for renewable energy storage.
How Did WEG Conquer Europe and the USA?
International expansion accelerated with:
- Acquisition of Austrian ATB (2010), the largest motor manufacturer in Europe;
- Factory in Texas (USA) to serve the oil and gas industry;
- Partnership with Xiaomi for electric vehicle motors in China.
With 62 years of history, WEG proves that innovation and strategic planning can transform a small workshop in Santa Catarina into a global giant of sustainable technology. Its next challenge? To lead the electric vehicle revolution.

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