The Association of Manufacturers of Implements for the Transport and Storage of Cargo – AFITRAC, is formed by Rediloy, Don Vicente Metallurgical, Zuna, Viscazo, Víctor Eddú, La Esquina Metallurgical, Sandonato, Mamut Bodyworks, Coore Metallurgical, Rodríguez Hnos., M Rodríguez, Trailers.uy Terlar.
We spoke with Alexander Moreira, secretary of AFITRAC and its president, Edgar Alfonzo, about something as important as the national industry.
A very important effort that bodybuilders have joined together.
Edgar Alfonso: This idea started three years ago. We started together with Cecília (Casulo – Executive Director – AFITRAC) with the idea of forming the Chamber of Bodybuilders. At first it was a challenge because we set ourselves a very big challenge because the hardest thing for us was to convince our colleagues that we were not the competition, that the reality is that we are colleagues, but not competition. The competition is what comes from outside. The amount of imported products that come in is greater than the amount of national products that are sold.
As a result, the AFITRAC Chamber was created, and a wonderful group was formed. Today, there is a very beautiful union, we understand each other very well. And well, thanks to this, after all these years, it was possible to convince some of Alexander Moreira, who was the promoter, the one who convinced us all to be able to participate in the fair, that we had to make ourselves more visible.
The reality is that all companies, all industries, are family-owned, and the reality is that we all dedicate our entire lives to just working, working, working. We haven't given it the importance of marketing, of making ourselves visible. We're always thinking about word of mouth, that's what we've been taught.
I am second generation, my father always had the habit of making everyone know us, word of mouth is what sells the most. Today everything has changed, today we have to adapt.
Today we are present at the fair, we have a beautiful stand. We are all together, it is no small feat to be able to set up a stand with 5 important companies from Uruguay, from different sectors, teams, but with many things in common. The truth is that for us it is a beautiful experience, we are very happy, we are sharing a very fun fair.
It's just the beginning, but the truth is that we are very excited to be able to participate and that the idea came from the hand of this friend (Alexander Moreira). Fortunately we are...
Did you happen to meet new colleagues when you went looking for members? Tell me about that process.
In fact, they invited us after it was half set up and we were amazed at the industry that exists here. We are really surprised at the capacity that exists, which we had no idea about and we are in the sector.
Alfonso has a machine that only exists in South America, so you can get an idea. They all have an impressive capacity; creativity, innovation, technology, which is being applied a lot, which does not envy any imported equipment. We are much more detached (sic) than the teams that are being brought in. This should be emphasized, although it may seem somewhat repetitive, but everyone who exhibits at our stand is a competitor. And we all come together to take a position together.
You will see that all the flags are mixed to create this, that we are a united group. It is a feeling of belonging. A very important unity was created and we realized, we were able to realize in reality that we are colleagues; the competition is not us.
Today you look at the percentage that we are supplying to the market and comparing it is insignificant to what is coming in from outside.
It is important to us that this is the first time that AFITRAC is visible at EXPOCARGA, and a very important effort was made to showcase it. Although not all members are present, obviously, a very important effort was made and it is highly valued. In addition, the public will certainly appreciate it too, because sometimes you need to see a team and here you have to compare what the imported and national teams are like.
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