Page 7 - Minerva Foods | Annual Report 2017

We have developed a successful process for the integration of the new units, which has demon- strated the advantage of having highly disci- plined and dedicated teams on which we can rely on. The work is ongoing and will continue to be a priority in 2018. Integration involves more than just technological connectivity or the exchange of experiences, but also team prepara- tion from the viewpoint of corporate culture. The fact that we have managed to overcome challenges and grow, reaffirms the success of our business strategy. In the international scene, South America has solidified its position as the largest beef supplier – and we have be- come the leader in exports. Today, we are not strictly a national company, this means that the economic situation in Paraguay, Uruguay, Co- lombia and Argentina impacts our business. Nevertheless, we believe that the challenging environment and uncertainty is inclined to im- prove in Brazil by 2018, as well as in Argentina and Paraguay, countries which have a promis- ing domestic consumption and governments engaged in stimulating the presence of the sec- tor in the international market.
We are embarking on a new phase of our jour- ney as a global company, with the competitive advantage of having participated in and led the largest and most promising export hub: South America. With a continuing advancement in governance, permanent value of our human resources and stakeholders, responsible and effective risk management and a firm commit- ment to sustainability, we are ready to face the challenges that lie ahead. Consistence, focus and discipline, encourage us to be better in ev- erything we do.
Fernando Galletti de Queiroz
CEO
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