Metalwork sector

Opportunities for the Metalwork Sector

• The steel and metalwork sector's share accounts for 12% of Colombian industry and provides approximately 15% of jobs in the manufacturing sector. National Association of Colombian Industrialists (Asociación Nacional de Empresarios de Colombia, Andi), 2012.
• In 2011 steel production in Colombia grew by 11%, reaching 1.7 million tons. Andi, 2012.
• In 2011 apparent consumption in Colombia was 3.2 million tons representing an opportunity for the sector. In the same year steel production reached 1.78 million tons. Andi, 2012.
• Big-name multinationals in the sector have set up operations in Colombia, including Gerdau and Techint.

Business Opportunities in Colombia

Flat steel production

• The metalwork sector in Colombia produces most flat steel from scrap steel casting. Andi, 2012.
• Skilled labour: More than 111,000 technicians and professionals graduated between 2001 and 2011. Employment Beacon (Observatorio Laboral), 2012.
• The production of flat steel in Colombia accounts for 24% of all output metal. Andi, 2012 .
• More than 680 companies are engaged in the metalwork sector in Colombia. BPR Benchmark, 2012.
• The metalwork sector represents an advantage to transform Colombia into an export platform based on its technological know-how, state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment, international goodwill, high quality, low cost manufacture of small lots, lower order lead times than competitors, and a stable workforce, among other factors. Andi, 2012.

Regions

• Barranquilla
• Cartagena
• Santa Marta