Interview of the week - FOX Brasil - Brazil

Murilo finished school in Brazil and learned “Industriebetriebslehre” at a German technical school in São Paulo. He started his career working for German industries. He has spent time in Germany and Mexico, where he was responsible for developing the market and opening new offices. He joined Fox Brasil in 2012 and has been developing the project division sector ever since. Since May 2019, he is President of The Heavy Lift Group.

Tell us about FOX Brasil. Who owns the company?

FOX Brasil was established at the heart of São Paulo, Brazil and is operating since 2002, with the idea to be the best and most reliable Brazilian freight forwarder & project logistics solutions provider in the market. Simon and Caio founded the company. In 2012, FOX Brasil | Project Logistics was established in partnership with myself.

Where are your offices located?

• Sao Paulo, SP
• Curitiba, PR
• Belem, PA

Which is FOX Brasil’s specialty and service range?

We offer complete solutions for our customer’s projects. Not only the traditional door-to-door shipments (including road transportation, customs clearance, courier, handcarrier, sea freight and air freight), but also heavy lift & engineering services (with own team) for the most complex solutions for each project including:

• Route, Site and Ports Surveys
• Transport Drawings
• Lashing and Rigging Plans
• Dynamic Geometric Simulations
• Drawings and Development of Transport and Storage Devices
• Transport Devices Validation Tests
• Onsite Services and Training

Tell us about projects you have handled recently.

In spite of the pandemic scenario, our team has been quite busy these months. Committed to the development, coordination and overall management of two wind contracts, three HPP (Hydro Power Plant) port-to-door shipment, three pulp & paper contracts, lifting eight heavy transformers along with positioning and delivery at the appointed workplace and port, a complete Ethanol plant contract under a door- to-door scope of work, and this among many other spot shipments and ongoing contracts that were commenced last year.

Which are the main industries served in Brazil?

In Brazil, agribusiness is expected to be the largest agro/food exporter in the next decade; Renewable Energy + Environmental Solutions promise investments of close to U$ 120 billion in transmission and distribution in the sector until 2030. Finally, Oil & Gas is also a strong industry in Brazil, counting on further developments. 

Tell us a few words about your experience, your expertise and your business in general.

I realized that I would like to work with international trade, when I was 16 years old and was part of an exchange program in Germany, where I had the opportunity not only to learn a new “unusual” language for a Brazilian, but also travel abroad and learn about a different culture. So I finished school in Brazil and learned “Industriebetriebslehre” at a German technical school in São Paulo.

My first jobs were in German industries: ZF, Robert Bosch, WABCO. Always involved with international logistics and projects. On my last passage on the automotive industry, where I was responsible for the international suppliers and customers planning, I was able to introduce the 6 Sigma to the international logistics. I completely changed the logistics for more than 130 suppliers we had. I went to Europe to implement that project and I was invited by a German freight forwarder for a trainee program, which I did. Later on I was hired as tender management coordinator for worldwide projects.

So I spent 2 ½ years in Germany and another 3 ½ in Mexico, where I was responsible for developing the market and opening new offices. I started working more and more with projects and I was transferred to Brazil. 1 year later, I joined FOX Brasil, where I have been working and developing the project division since 2012.

Which are the main ports used for serving breakbulk project cargo in Brazil? How are these equipped and tell us about their customs status. Any free ports/zones?

From North to South, the ports in all states are eligible for receiving and handling breakbulk project cargo. The carriers call regularly Vila do Conde, Itaqui, Pecém, Salvador, Vitória, Açu, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Paranaguá and Itapoa Port, other ports and berths are suitable option as well. The country size does not allow today to have all kind of equipment for cargo lifting, handling, discharging and heavy haul and because of some contracts it is necessary to mobilize and demobilize equipment. The main equipment will be rented at ports of Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, Santos and Paranaguá.

The customs status reflects the same situation in all ports, airports and borders. It has always been said that the customs in Brazil are complicated and this definition can/should be refreshed into accurate. By gathering all the requested information well in advance, presenting it to the customs officer and clarifying all their needs, there is no other way for the clearance procedures than to run smoothly.

SUFRAMA also known as ZFM – Zona Franca de Manaus is a free zone.

Is special transport a competitive sector in Brazil? How do you ensure that you will stand out?

Special transport in Brazil is a competitive local sector, but this cannot be compared to special transport abroad. The hauliers in Brazil that offer this kind of service are well known and stablished in the market, there are no adventurers playing this role and taking into consideration the condition of the highways in Brazil, the maintenance and accessories charges are high.

To stand out, we suggest being transparent, modest, having knowledge and allowing creativity. Just as a simple example, at first glance on the map, a piece that has to be delivered in Western of Brazil, will be discharged at Santos or Paranaguá Port, mainly because the main Carriers call those ports and for this contract it was necessary to answer in 72 hours. What if we designed an operation that comprises with a discharge alongside vessel onto barges in Nueva Palmira, Uruguay and transport this piece using the waterway until the western Brazilian border? Most of the time, the easiest option will work, but it will not be the most competitive. 

Are there any particularities in project cargo forwarding in your country? Such as customs restraints or other?

There are customs restraints that are related to the kind of cargo, but not to the size or weight. Every contract is unique and shall be handled with care and diligence, eliminating shortcuts.

What made you join the industry?

The challenges and the opportunities of projects to support our country Brazil to develop.

What do you like the most about your business?

I believe that an appropriate question would be “How could we not like our business?”. Today’s first call was from a client who is purchasing buses for export to attend a country’s infrastructure. Later, an award for a company engaged to wastewater treatment for my country. A few e-mails later, dozens of phone calls, situation solved, challenges accepted and we are inquired to develop a humanitarian project.

We just have to see the brightside of the business, take note of the lessons learned, constantly strive to improve and we will see that there is nothing we like more, but that everything is equally important and honorable.

Who should be approached in FOX Brasil for inquiries?

The whole FOX Brasil Team is available and will be more than glad to support you. 

Please share the inquiries for project cargo particularities, customs restraints, ports, airports, highways, waterways and rail infrastructure, using the e-mail address project@foxbrasil.com

For the inquiries that we do not have an immediate solution, our team will have the pleasure and commitment to search and learn information for you, as well as to develop one another.