Family-owned since its 1921 founding, Balluff GmbH is a leading supplier of sensor technology and automation equipment for manufacturing machines and production lines. The German company now has 2,750 employees and 29 subsidiaries worldwide, with 195 employees based in its fourth largest subsidiary, Brazil. Balluff’s success in Brazil is rooted in its commitment to empowering Brazilian employees to support the company’s legacy of quality products and service.

Managing Director Mr. Michael Unger has been with the company for twenty-three years, and attested to Balluff’s global reputation, “We have always been asked by our customers to develop and produce high quality products that are robust, so that they can be applied in harsh environments. The quality level of our products has been an asset, which we consistently maintain worldwide.”

Balluff’s extensive product range includes Precision and Object Detection sensors, as well as measurement, identification, and networking systems. The company’s focal industries are the machine tool and automotive industries, with additional clients in energy production, plastics, packaging and hydraulic cylinders.

Over thirty years ago, several of Balluff’s German customers started operations in Brazil. “Our customers asked us to follow them, to be present in Brazil with not just our Sales and Marketing operations, but also an assembly line for local production centers, and that is how we entered the Brazilian market and founded Balluff Controles Eletricos” explained Mr. Unger.

This long-term reputation has contributed to Balluff’s success in Brazil today. “We have a plant in Brazil. None of our competitors has a plant in Brazil. We produce a big share of sensors for the Brazilian market. We don't have any concerns regarding import taxes since we are manufacturing locally. This gives us a benefit which we can transfer to our customers. All of our products are available to our customers via our warehouse,” said Ms. Adriana Silva, president of Balluff Brazil, which is located in Vinhedo, São Paulo.

Balluff looks forward to increasing its presence in Brazil and is continuously hiring as it seeks to expand its subsidiary. Although product development has traditionally taken place at Balluff’s German headquarters, the company’s  Research and Development team in Vinhedo  is thriving. Balluff is confident about future operations in Brazil, and hopes to continue to recruit locally in the country.

“We are trying to empower our people to do a quality job. We are a company of very connected individuals. We believe that we make good products of high technology, but we need good people to get the job done and really make a mark in the market. Our Brazilian partnership is motivated to provide good ideas and be a part of the process,” concluded Mr. Unger. 

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