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WEG’s Mega Investment in Guaramirim Forecasts Industrial Expansion, Regional Economic Impact, and Advancement in Heavy Equipment Production in the Electric Sector.
The multinational WEG confirmed that its new large-scale industrial unit will be built in Guaramirim, in Northern Santa Catarina, with an investment of R$ 900 million in a factory of 35,000 m², expecting to start operations in 2028.
The project plans for approximately 1,000 direct jobs and between 2,000 and 3,000 indirect positions, consolidating the largest investment ever made by the company in a single enterprise and the largest investment in the city’s history.
Official Announcement of the Mega Factory
The official announcement took place last Monday (17th), at an event held in conjunction with the city hall.
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During the ceremony, the municipal administration emphasized that Guaramirim, which currently has just over 51,000 inhabitants according to recent IBGE estimates, will more intensively integrate into the industrial map of Santa Catarina, within an axis already marked by the strong presence of WEG in neighboring Jaraguá do Sul.
The choice of the city concludes a period of expectation that began at the beginning of October when the company announced the plan to build a new factory in the state, without revealing the exact location.
Now, the company confirms that the complex will be located in the Poço Grande neighborhood, in an area considered strategic due to its proximity to BR-280 and future access to Via Mar, facilitating connections to ports and logistics centers in Northern Santa Catarina.
Structure and Focus of the New Industrial Unit
The new plant will join the manufacturing park that WEG already operates in the region and integrates the strategy to expand production of heavy equipment and advanced solutions for the electric sector.
According to the company, the initial focus will be on the manufacture of synchronous condensers, turbo generators, and high-speed motors, products mainly aimed at energy infrastructure and large industrial clients.
In addition to the main line, the project envisions a flexible structure to accommodate new products, such as motors, generators, and hydraulic turbines, according to market demand.
The company projects that this versatility will allow it to quickly adjust the production mix for generation, transmission, and distribution projects for both the Brazilian market and abroad.
Timeline of Works and Municipal Investments
The timeline defined by WEG states that civil works will begin in 2026, progressing in phases until the beginning of industrial operations in 2028.
The company did not detail the number of phases or the hiring schedule throughout the period, but indicated that the full occupancy of the unit will be staggered as productive modules are completed.
To facilitate the new access to the complex, the Guaramirim city hall has committed to carry out specific roadworks in the Poço Grande neighborhood.
The municipal investment is estimated at R$ 4 million, primarily aimed at opening and upgrading roads to accommodate the additional flow of trucks, buses, and light vehicles that are expected to circulate daily around the factory.
Economic Impact and Job Creation in the Region
Although the municipality already has a significant industrial profile within the Itapocu Valley, the scale of the venture is considered a watershed moment for the local economy.
In a city with around 51,000 residents, the creation of 1,000 direct jobs has the potential to significantly alter the job market, increase demand for services, and boost sectors like housing, commerce, and technical education.
The estimate of 2,000 to 3,000 indirect jobs includes positions in supplier companies, freight transportation, maintenance services, food, and other segments that typically gravitate around large industrial plants.
Local stakeholders expect that the announcement will stimulate new investments in logistics and professional training, with the requalification of workers from neighboring cities.
Global Trajectory of WEG and International Presence
On the state level, the project reinforces the significance of Santa Catarina as WEG’s production base.
Founded in 1961, in Jaraguá do Sul, the company has become one of the largest manufacturers of electrical equipment in the world, operating in areas such as motors, automation, energy generation and distribution, as well as industrial paints and varnishes.
Today, the company operates factories in several Brazilian states and units in other countries, placing it among the leading exporters of capital goods in the country.
Recent data from the company itself indicate that WEG has subsidiaries in over 40 countries and industrial operations in almost 20 nations, with a commercial presence in more than 130 markets worldwide.
Adding all units together, there are tens of thousands of employees and an annual revenue of tens of billions of reais, a significant portion of which comes from exports, which helps explain the interest in maintaining and expanding the production base in Santa Catarina.
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