Times are changing
With the growth and modernization South America is becoming more and more like North America. This is either making the companies on that continent start to change the way they do things or it’s the companies that have global roots planting their seeds in the countries and spawning change that way.
Recently, my former employer purchased a large mining and chemical company that was in operation in South America. The acquisition was one that took many by surprise. The global idea of big business expands in all directions and is now claiming stakes in the far reaches of South America. “This acquisition gives Mosaic the opportunity to benefit from the growing Brazilian agriculture market. … For Vale, the deal guarantees an important capital injection and a significant minority position in the global fertilizer business,” the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) said in its published opinion approving the deal.(Rueters)
Many assumed that the company would be out of date and need a total revamp. But to the surprise of most, the company is a 21st century big business that in most cases is no different than our company. The biggest difference was the amount of employees, in relationship to the North American facilities. The South American operations employees double of the North American operations. The company had a good safety and Environmental record. They produced large amounts of product and shipped efficiently. There really was no difference in the North American and South American operations.
People tend to look at South America and think about jungle and non-developed area, but in actuality there are many cities and regions where you walk down the road and you would think you are in the United States or a European country. Times are changing and changing fast in South America.
Costa, L., & Spring;, J. (2017, August 01). Brazil regulator approves Mosaic purchase of Vale fertilizer unit. Retrieved October 16, 2017, from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-vale-m-a-mosaic-fertilizers/brazil-regulator-approves-mosaic-purchase-of-vale-fertilizer-unit-idUSKBN1AH4PH
Michael,
I really enjoyed reading your post about South America. I definitely agree that North American and South America are becoming more and more alike as times goes on. For instance, I am sure that 10 years ago there would be differences that far outweighed similarities between the two regions from a business perspective. However, these differences are quickly dwindling away and more and more similarities seem to be emerging. I think you had a really interesting perspective for this post seeing as your former employer recently decided to expand their business ventures to South America. I am curious about your perspective on the issue noted in the above comment from Melissa. Do you think that these similarities that are emerging are only evident in the organizational aspects of North and South American companies? Or do you believe that the entire region of South America is becoming more similar to North America in general? Also, I think it is interesting that you noted the South American operation had double the amount of employees when compared to the North American operation. I wonder why that is, what do you think?
Great post,
Marci
I believe I no longer need to respond to the blogs, but I enjoy reading each one of them. Being born on the Southern California border, speaking spanish ( or rather Mexi- Lish) I knew the latin culture better than most. Yet, I do not see the modernization that you noted in your article. Maybe in the big cities, but even in these, there is a few large factories, or hotels that are modern, but there is still slims, with no electricity and no modern conveniences.
Does the ability to have modern amenities make South America Modern, or is the fact that most have no running water, no schooling and poor housing keep these countries from being a modern country?