A collaborative and supportive environment in Pederneiras
Pederneiras is also the proud home of one of Volvo CE’s manufacturing plants, specializing in the production of articulated haulers, large wheel loaders, soil compactors, crawler excavators and components for Latin America and other global markets. In 2025, the site celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking half a century of innovation and growth. Its influence spans across Brazil, to other Volvo sites.
The site champions a diverse workforce. Carina Fracaroli, a 25-year-old Logistics Team Leader, is one of its youngest female leaders. Having started her journey as an apprentice, Carina acknowledges the challenges of taking on a new leadership role in a largely male environment. However, her experience has been overwhelmingly positive.
“I was concerned about being a young woman stepping into a leadership role,” Carina shares. “But I’ve received huge support from my line manager and co-workers. In fact, I’ve been really well received as a leader, and I feel respected and understood by my team. I’m very happy to have been given this opportunity to progress quickly at a young age.”
Pederneiras places a strong emphasis on the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences, with several initiatives to foster even greater understanding through cross-functional collaboration.
Lívia Afonso, an Accounting Director, who is based in Paraná, Brazil but has many of her team members based in Pederneiras, explains: “Functions like Finance can often feel disconnected from the manufacturing of construction equipment. To bridge this gap, we have programs in place to help us get to know other teams and people in the business better, so that we can all understand each other’s priorities.”
Marcelo Magalhães, Head of Key Accounts, underscores the value of this integration, saying: “Exchanging experiences and understanding how we can support one another benefits everyone.”
Sarah Guimaraes, who began her career as an Assembler, and now works as a Supplier Development Analyst, shares an example of this collaborative culture in action. “It was during a car ride to work with my colleague, Eduardo, that we managed to address a specific challenge related to one of our products.”
Eduardo Amorim, an Excavator FTT Inspector, agrees and adds: “I’m grateful that at Pederneiras, we can work cross-functionally every day. This approach is highly effective.”
Pederneiras is also a leader in sustainability initiatives, having achieved landfill-free status by implementing practices to reduce, reuse and recycle waste. This commitment to sustainability resonates with Gian Castelli, Head of Responsible Sales, who is based in Paraná, Brazil.
Gian reflects: “A few years ago, I started to think about taking on a new role with more purpose, where I could have a real impact and do good for society. In this role, I have the opportunity to change the road ahead. Sustainability really matters to us. I hope – and actively work towards a future where we can look back on our achievements with pride.”
Pederneiras is not only an inspiring and collaborative place to work, but also a wonderful place to live. With its warm, dry weather, beautiful countryside, and rich cultural heritage, it is a truly exceptional community.
Find out more about our Pederneiras site