2010 - Embraco

Interview Profile ManagementdifferentialsSustainaBIlityEnergyEffICIencyvalueChaINSoCIalinvestmentInternalPublICMATERIalItyGRIContent5ProfileWHO we AREWe are world leaders in the manufactureof refrigeration compressors. Beyond theproduction capacity (32 million units in2010), we are a reference in low energyconsumption models and we differentiateourselves through our innovativecharacter, the result of continuous investmentin research and development.In 2010 we were pioneers in the developmentof a new technology, together withthe company Fisher & Paykel, from NewZealand, and the North American WhirlpoolCorporation. The new compressorcombines high energy efficiency with alinear design, more compact, dispensingthe use of oil. Besides the obvious environmentalbenefit, the elimination of oilmultiplies product application possibilitiesbecause it can be placed in any positionwithin the equipment without riskof leaks. Looking to the future, we havecreated and we are already testing micro-compressors,which could be used tocool electronic equipment and portableitems such as firefighter uniforms and inthe medical field. (To learn more aboutlinear technology and micro-compressors,see pages 21 and 22 of this report.)Embraco is headquartered in Joinville,Santa Catarina (Brazil), where it wasfounded in 1971. In 2006, Embraco, untilthen a publicly traded company, wentthrough a reorganization that merged itwith the household appliance manufacturerMultibrás, forming in Brazil, WhirlpoolSA, controlled by the U.S. WhirlpoolCorporation, shareholder of the two organizationssince the 1990s. The twooperations, household appliances andcompressors continue to operate as independentbusiness units while maintainingtheir specificities and peculiarities.