A journey into the past.
A century of history
From what started as one man’s simple dream, Altona has over the years been shaped by new challenges, innovations, and a consistent value system as it established itself as a giant in the metal industry. Through the vision and hard work of its founders and the dedication of men and women that have stood behind its mission, human capital has consistently been Altona’s most used raw material throughout its 100-year history.
From what started as one man’s simple dream, Altona has over the years been shaped by new challenges, innovations, and a consistent value system as it established itself as a giant in the metal industry. Through the vision and hard work of its founders and the dedication of men and women that have stood behind its mission, human capital has consistently been Altona’s most used raw material throughout its 100-year history.
Paul Werner
An entrepreneurial spirit
as strong as steel
An engineer trained at the renowned Dresden School, Paul Werner immigrated to Blumenau in 1923.
Hired by the local municipality to install a telephone exchange, Werner completed works before the agreed upon deadline with the highest level of quality and efficiency.
Paul Werner
Fibra de aço, espírito empreendedor
An engineer trained at the renowned Dresden School, Paul Werner immigrated to Blumenau in 1923.
Hired by the local municipality to install a telephone exchange, Werner completed works before the agreed upon deadline with the highest level of quality and efficiency.
After deciding to remain in Blumenau, Paul Werner formed a partnership with Ernst Auerbach, a blacksmith working in Bairro Altona (which is today known as Itoupava Seca) and founded Auerbach & Werner on March 8, 1924.
The rest, as they say, is history. With an entrepreneurial spirit and innovative vision, Paul Werner transformed a small blacksmithing and foundry business into a global industry giant.
A SPARK OF INSPIRATION
CREATED A FIRE THAT
NEVER GOES OUT.
First products manufactured by Altona: pans, scales, meat grinders, and bells. Altona started off repairing motors and electrical equipment before moving on to manufacturing household tools and agricultural implements.
After acquiring an electric fusion arc furnace, Altona began casting steel, becoming the first company of its kind in Santa Catarina and the second steel producer in all of Brazil. In 1933, the company was renamed Electro Aço Altona S.A.
A SPARK OF INSPIRATION
CREATED A FIRE THAT
NEVER GOES OUT.
First products manufactured by Altona: pans, scales, meat grinders, and bells. Altona started off repairing motors and electrical equipment before moving on to manufacturing household tools and agricultural implements.
After acquiring an electric fusion arc furnace, Altona began casting steel, becoming the first company of its kind in Santa Catarina and the second steel producer in all of Brazil. In 1933, the company was renamed Electro Aço Altona S.A.
BERNARDO WOLFGANG WERNER WELCOMING PRES. CASTELO BRANCO DURING A VISIT TO BLUMENAU.
Bernardo Wolfgang Werner welcoming Brazilian president Castelo Branco during a visit to Blumenau in 1965. Paul Werner’s son and heir, Bernardo Werner was a manager of great importance at Altona and played a key role in the community’s development.
Born in 1927, Bernardo Werner began working at Altona at the age of 19, starting off as a trainee in all the company’s product sectors for a year before working his way up to management. Following in his father’s footsteps, Werner represented a key pillar in Altona’s progress as a company.
He was elected to the position of city councilor for four terms and served as president of FIESC (Industrial Federation for the State of Santa Catarina) for a total of five terms, having been involved in several important initiatives that promoted Blumenau’s growth as a city, such as the founding of FURB (Blumenau Regional University). On several occasions, Mr. Werner hosted some of Brazil’s main national authorities during visits to the city.
BERNARDO WOLFGANG WERNER WELCOMING PRES. CASTELO BRANCO DURING A VISIT TO BLUMENAU.
Bernardo Wolfgang Werner welcoming Brazilian president Castelo Branco during a visit to Blumenau in 1965. Paul Werner’s son and heir, Bernardo Werner was a manager of great importance at Altona and played a key role in the community’s development.
Born in 1927, Bernardo Werner began working at Altona at the age of 19, starting off as a trainee in all the company’s product sectors for a year before working his way up to management. Following in his father’s footsteps, Werner represented a key pillar in Altona’s progress as a company.
He was elected to the position of city councilor for four terms and served as president of FIESC (Industrial Federation for the State of Santa Catarina) for a total of five terms, having been involved in several important initiatives that promoted Blumenau’s growth as a city, such as the founding of FURB (Blumenau Regional University). On several occasions, Mr. Werner hosted some of Brazil’s main national authorities during visits to the city.
WORKS AND EXPANSION OF ALTONA PLANT
We are constantly evolving.
Consistent development has always been a hallmark at Altona. By the 1960s
the company had already reached the 450-employee mark and needed to
expand its available structure.
The purchase of a third arc fusion furnace helped solidify
Altona’s existing reputation as being capable of achieving unheard of perfection
in the face of great challenge.
WORKS AND EXPANSION OF ALTONA PLANT
We are constantly evolving.
Consistent development has always been a hallmark at Altona. By the 1960s
the company had already reached the 450-employee mark and needed to
expand its available structure.
The purchase of a third arc fusion furnace helped solidify
Altona’s existing reputation as being capable of achieving unheard of perfection
in the face of great challenge.
MACHINING SECTOR INAUGURATED
ON 07/22/1972.
A pioneering and innovative spirit continued to be a driving force behind development
at Altona. One of the main milestones in the company’s history was the inauguration of its
Machining sector. The Honorable Colomba Machado Salles (P.Eng), Governor of the
State of Santa Catarina, presided over the inauguration.
A pioneering and innovative spirit continued to be a driving force behind development
at Altona. One of the main milestones in the company’s history was the inauguration of its
Machining sector. The Honorable Colomba Machado Salles (P.Eng), Governor of the
State of Santa Catarina, presided over the inauguration.
Altona’s unwavering expansion allowed it to reach new markets, as the company began producing components for export to countries such as Chile, Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico, and England. Partnerships with foreign companies, such as Germany’s Reining and Rheinhütte and the UK’s Lake&Elliot, have served to consolidate the company’s international
reputation.
Altona’s unwavering expansion allowed it to reach new markets, as the company began producing components for export to countries such as Chile, Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico, and England. Partnerships with foreign companies, such as Germany’s Reining and Rheinhütte and the UK’s Lake&Elliot, have served to consolidate the company’s international
reputation.
PARTICIPATION IN TRADE FAIRS /EVENTS /
ALTONA’S SHOWROOM PRODUCTS
A consistent drive towards developing has always led Altona to see out new ideas and
work methodologies in order to ensure that the company remains up-to-date in terms of
technology and is best able to serve its clients at the global level.
Altona’s engineering, quality, and commercial intelligence sectors work together to consistently optimize production processes and increase the quality of the end products supplied by the company.
With a new approach to employee relations policies, in 2000 Altona was named one of the 100 best companies to work for in Brazil. Published by Exame magazine, Exame Guide 2000 featured an article on the company, highlighting its participation-based approach to management and the trusting relationship the company maintains with its team.
Altona’s engineering, quality, and commercial intelligence sectors work together to consistently optimize production processes and increase the quality of the end products supplied by the company.
With a new approach to employee relations policies, in 2000 Altona was named one of the 100 best companies to work for in Brazil. Published by Exame magazine, Exame Guide 2000 featured an article on the company, highlighting its participation-based approach to management and the trusting relationship the company maintains with its team.
THE FUTURE IS WHAT SHAPES OUR PRESENT.
WE ARE DRIVEN BY THE FORCE OF INNOVATION.