A reestruturação da indústria de chapas de zinco em Moçambique e seu impacto no consumidor: caso da Indústria Moçambicana de Aço e da Intersteel Rollings

Abstract

Zinc sheeting is a product composed of steel and coated with zinc. It is used by households, businesses, and NGOs for both housing and other purposes. Initially it was manufactured by Ima (Mozambican Steel Industry) founded in 1968, employing 210 workers. In the area of production and commercialization it was not based on orders. And on the other hand it financed its activity with documentary credits (short term credit). Ima adopted a strategy which at the time responded to the existing industrial needs. When Ima was founded, there were no companies manufacturing zinc sheets or creating semi-finished products, so it was forced to carry out the entire production process alone, with vertical integration within the industry. This gave Ima a heavy production structure and, consequently, a high cost structure. With the changes in the economic and political-military environment, new zinc sheet companies with flexible structures, but very vulnerable to exchange rate instability, have appeared. They employ an average of 15 to 27 workers. With the changes in the economic environment, new small and medium-sized companies appeared producing zinc sheet and these together took over the market previously supplied by that company. The changes in this industry broadened the choice for consumers, offering a range of differentiated products at competitive prices, because the sheet sold by Ima was of superior quality but the prices charged at the time were high for the population's income level. In fact, the strategies adopted raised Ima's risk, both in economic and financial terms, evidenced by the heavy cost structures and the high level of indebtedness. In the case of the new companies, the indicators point to a lower risk, despite their vulnerability in relation to the instability of the exchange market. (TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)