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Santa Catarina Company Prepares New Industrial Complex in the North of the State, Focused on Large Electrical Equipment and Job Creation, Reinforcing Santa Catarina’s Role in the National Energy and Technology Chain.
WEG announced a billion-dollar package to expand its presence in Santa Catarina by 2028.
The plan includes the construction of a new manufacturing park in the northern region of the state, with access to BR-101 and BR-280, and the expansion of the unit already established in Jaraguá do Sul.
The new facility will produce large-scale equipment — including synchronous condensers, turbogenerators, and high-speed induction motors — and is projected to create 3,100 jobs including direct and indirect opportunities, according to estimates released by state authorities.
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Investment and Timeline
According to the company, the expansion program includes expenditures over the next few years to increase the production capacity of the Energy Division and expand the portfolio.
The total amount reported by the state government and by corporate announcements is approximately R$ 1.1 billion.
The allocation of resources covers two axes: the construction of the new industrial park and the strengthening of the Jaraguá do Sul plant, designed to meet the organic growth of demand.
Where the New Factory Will Be Located
The municipality for the complex’s installation has not yet been disclosed.
WEG points to logistical and operational criteria for the location decision, such as proximity to Jaraguá do Sul, availability of skilled labor, and access to transport corridors and ports.
The indication is that the unit will be near the junctions of BRs 101 and 280, which shortens routes to the state’s maritime terminals and improves flow for suppliers and customers.
What Will Be Produced
The new park will focus on large machines and components used in generation, transmission, and stability of the electrical system.
The line includes synchronous condensers, equipment designed for voltage control and reactive power in high-load networks; turbogenerators, applied in different generation matrices; and high-speed motors, targeted at intensive industrial applications.
In addition to manufacturing, the plan includes expanding the scope of services for motors, generators, and hydraulic turbines, enhancing the customer service cycle with maintenance and modernization.
Expansion in Jaraguá do Sul
In parallel, the company will increase the capacity of the Energy Unit in the main municipality.
The construction project adds 11,250 m² of productive area, integrating new processes and reorganizing internal flows for efficiency gains.
The expansion has been designed to sustain the current order curve and prepare the factory for the introduction of new product families from the division.
Jobs: What is Expected
On the work front, there are two complementary references.
The company projects around 1,000 direct vacancies linked to the new manufacturing park along the production ramp.
The state government, in turn, estimates 3,100 direct and indirect jobs when considering chain effects in suppliers, logistics, and associated services.
As the personnel selection continues alongside the construction and installation of machinery, the expansion in Jaraguá do Sul is expected to absorb some of the short-term opportunities.
Location Criteria and Infrastructure
The choice of a location near BRs 101 and 280 meets two needs.
On one hand, it speeds up the flow of special loads that require routes compatible with the dimensions and weight of the equipment.
On the other hand, it brings the factory closer to connections with Santa Catarina ports, which are important for both raw material imports and finished product exports.
The decision also considers the availability of technical schools and universities in the vicinity, from where a significant portion of the skilled labor required by the operation comes.
Industrial Impact and Supplier Chain
The arrival of a dedicated line for large electric machines tends to attract auxiliary investments in heavy machining, foundry, boiler making, and electromechanical components.
The industry’s expectation is that new niches for commissioning, field assistance, and retrofitting services will emerge.
For WEG, increasing local production of high-value items reduces delivery times, increases local content in infrastructure projects, and mitigates risks related to exchange rates and international logistics.
Competitive Environment: Recent Reference in the Automotive Sector
In the same industrialization axis, GWM opened its factory in Iracemápolis (SP) on August 15.
The automaker reported that the unit began with around 600 workers and aims to reach 1,000 direct jobs by the end of the year.
Although operating in a different segment, the project illustrates the resumption of industrial investments across different chains and reinforces the role of logistics infrastructure and professional training as critical location factors.
History and Global Presence
Founded in 1961, WEG evolved from a manufacturer of electric motors to a group that offers complete systems for automation, power, energy, and services.
Currently, it maintains branches in 42 countries and factories in 18 countries, with operations ranging from equipment for energy generation and transmission to energy efficiency solutions, electric mobility, and industrial digitalization.
The expansion in Santa Catarina fits into this movement of diversification and scale increase in strategic lines for the electric sector.
Next Steps
Until the final address is announced, the company is conducting the stages of licensing, basic engineering, and contracting capital goods suppliers.
The timeline includes overlapping phases to shorten the time between the start of civil works, electromechanical assembly, and commissioning of the first lines.
The expansion in Jaraguá do Sul, having a more defined scope, is expected to advance immediately to meet orders already indicated by the market.
With the factory positioned between two of the main highway axes in the South and a growing portfolio of projects in the energy sector, WEG is set to alter the landscape of the electrical industry in the region.
In your assessment, what impacts will be most visible first: job creation, shorter delivery times, or attracting new suppliers?
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