PressReleasePing

The 100-year-old company, previously

focused on agribusiness, expects to
launch projects with potential sales of
R$100m over the next four years.
The 100-year-old company, previously focused on agribusiness, expects to launch projects
with potential sales of R$100m over the next four years.
Miami, FL, February 17, 2015 /PressReleasePing/ - The 100-year-old JB Duarte, has
chosen a new path for its business. The company has decided to focus on the real-estate
market in the countryside of So Paulo, and it expects to launch projects with potential sales
of R$100 million over the next four years. US investment fund Golden Eagle, which works with
construction and real-estate development, is considering investing in the Brazilian companys
projects.
JB Duarte, maker of vegetable oil, now bets on real estate.
The 100-year-old JB Duarte, which took root in the agriculture sector by betting on the
production of vegetable oils and, more recently, the supply of wood, has chosen a new path
for its business. The company has decided to focus on the real-estate market in the
countryside of So Paulo, and it expects to launch projects with potential sales of R$100
million over the next four years.
The company was founded in 1914 and became famous with the creation of Maria oil, during
World War II. At the time, since it was difficult for ships to arrive from Europe with olive oil, due
to the German blockade on the Brazilian coast, JB Duarte had the idea to launch a mixed
product, which had 30% olive oil and the remaining 70% peanut oil. "It was so successful that
even today the brand [now owned by Cargill] is the leader in the compound-oil segment," says
Laodse de Abreu Duarte, superintendent of JB and grandson of the company founder, Jos
Baptista Duarte. The company then started processing other oilseeds, such as soybeans,
corn and sunflower. It went public in 1985 but, 11 years later, struggling amid growing
competition with foreign groups, JB Duarte decided to lease its industrial unit and sell its
brands to Cargill and Vida Alimentos.
In 2009, JB Duarte established New Realty, its real-estate arm, and shortly after decided to
invest in an existing plantation of eucalyptus, on an area of 5 million square meters in
Pirapora do Bom Jesus, 55km from the city of So Paulo. But the project was short-lived, due
to weak demand and low prices of wood. "Reforestation in So Paulo is no longer what it used
to be. Pulp industries and conglomerates are going further into the countryside of the state in

search of areas with larger supply of raw material," Mr. Duarte says. In addition, the executive
says, areas such as Pirapora, near the state capital, have become too expensive for wood
production. "Within four years we expect to finish the eucalyptus harvesting in the area," he
estimates.
The new plans for the site involve the creation of two landfills. Two months ago, JB Duarte
requested the first license to operate a construction and inert waste landfill (such as cement,
concrete and bricks), and the company expects to obtain an installation permit within 120
days. The project is expected to have at least 20,000 square meters, with an estimated
revenue of R$6 million to R$7 million.
Due to numerous environmental requirements, JB Duarte intends to join other companies
already working in the segment and get the expertise needed to perform the work. "Weve
have already contacted multinationals in the industry and are awaiting the responses," Mr.
Duarte says. Nearly 20% of the land (1 million square meters) is expected to be allocated for
this landfill. "But we still will take three years to make the project viable," he says. Another
30% of the area (1.5 million m2) may be used for industrial and logistics warehouses. "The
easy access is a big draw, because of the proximity to two major highways in So Paulo:
Anhanguera and Castelo Branco.
JB Duarte is investing in two other municipalities: Cabreva and So Jos dos Campos. In the
case of Cabreva, the company plans an urban allotment, in an area of 300,000 square
meters in the citys downtown. JB Duarte expects to sell 550 to 600 lots, which can lead to
potential revenue of R$60 million. The company is finishing up the details for the completion
of the final project to obtain its first permit from the local government, and it plans to start
selling the units in late 2014.
The area owned by JB Duarte in So Jos dos Campos is located in the district of So
Francisco Xavier, where the company intends to establish farming plots, due to the regions
natural attractions such as waterfalls. "We are studying the viability of 5,000 m2 plots and
expect to implement them within four years," Mr. Duarte says, adding that the potential
revenue for the project is estimated at R$ 40 million.
Meanwhile, on the same land, the company is also developing a bamboo pilot project in a
small area of 50 hectares of a total of 350 hectares. "The planting was done three years
ago, and in seven years will be ready for the appropriate cut-off point," says Edison Cordaro,
JB Duarte investor relations director. The plan is to stay with the planting of bamboo, initially
with the goal of exploring the decoration market and, in the future, the construction industry,
since the material is also used on floors and battens.
JB Duarte also has an area in Serra da Mantiqueira, an old project of olive trees, which may
be the company's next shot. The initiative, however, depends on a strategic partner who can
make a more consistent capital injection - which may happen soon. In late March, JB Duarte
released a statement saying that the US investment fund Golden Eagle, which works with
construction and real-estate development, is considering investing in the Brazilian companys
projects. "But there is also a chance, later on, that they join the capital of JB Duarte," Mr.
Cordaro says. Negotiations are in progress.

JB Duarte had revenues of R$7.5 million in 2013, mainly due to leases and financial
investments.
Resource:
Valor International By Mariana Caetano | So Paulo
http://www.goldeneagleinvestments.com/pc/31eagjn1aq3m
###

P.O. Box 451506 Miami- Florida 33245 - 1506 United States of America
Golden Eagle Investments
Golden Eagle Investments
info@goldeneagleinvestments.com
http://www.goldeneagleinvestments.com
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