Interview
Mr Ricardo Weiss - CEO, Tavex Corporation

Having sown seeds of excellence, dedication and flexibility in the field of textile industry more than 150 years ago in Spain, Tavex Corporation today, reaps the recognition as a leading company in the textile production of premium denim with an 11% global market share and 45% market share in workwear in Latin America.

In 2006, Tavex (Spain, 1846) and Santista Textil (Brazil, 1929) combined to form Tavex Corporation. Both the companies have a consolidated background of over a century in the production of denim, flats and workwear textiles. Tavex Corporation is the preferred suppliers of the world recognized brands and annually generates income of over EUR 388 million with its presence in more than 50 countries across the globe and approx 6000 employees.

Last year, Tavex has also set up a new Full Package Business Unit, offering comprehensive management and logistics to commercial brands.

In July 2008, Mr Ricardo Weiss was appointed the CEO of Tavex Corporation. Graduated as a Civil Engineer at Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo in 1977, post graduated in Business Administration at Fundação Getúlio Vargas (CEAG) in 1981, and having attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 1998, Mr Weiss started his professional career as Analyst in 1978 at Price Waterhouse Management Consulting Services.

From 1980 to 2001, Mr Weiss worked with Hochschild Group (acquired by Anglo American plc-one of the world’s largest mining and natural resources companies in 1984), as Assistant to MD. He took over several positions in administrative, finance, commercial and general management areas, including Executive Vice President and member of the Executive Committee of the Anglo Base Metals Division, CEO of the Nickel and Niobium Division, President of Anglo American Brazil and Venezuela, and Chief Marketing Officer of Anglo Base Metals.

During 2002, he was Executive Director (Commodities) at Copersucar, one of the world’s largest cooperatives of sugar and ethanol producers. Mr Weiss had been MD of Camargo Corrêa SA-the operational holding company of the Camargo Corrêa Group, one of the largest Brazilian private conglomerates and the major shareholder of Tavex, which he joined in 2003, as Director Strategic Planning and Control. Besides, he has also chaired advisory boards of several other associations including ABIT, institutes and companies as a Director or Member. 53 years old, Mr Weiss holds double citizenship as a Brazilian and German as well.

In conversation with Face2Face team, Mr Ricardo Weiss speaks on global denim market and future prospects of workwear sector.