Innovation durability, & guarantees flowing accordingly Produced by Jassen Pintado Written by Mateo Rafael Tablado Translation by María Murgui Creative Direction Omar Rodríguez Interviewee Hermann Varon, CEO of LATAM Norte for Saint-Gobain PAM
Construction
Continuous and dedicated Research and Development, aligned with the principle of placing clients at the center of operations, have led SaintGobain PAM LATAM Norte to the leadership in water pipelines and other industries
S
aint-Gobain PAM is a French company established in 1856 dedicated to pipe production. Evolution has undoubtedly been one of its constants, reflected in both material development and techniques
to achieve increasingly better functionality. In the 1970s, PAM joined forces with SaintGobain, a French company dating back to the 18th century, created under orders of HM Louis XIV. This merger gave rise to various specialized activities, leading to the current Saint-Gobain group, with an international presence on all five continents. Since its foundation, Saint-Gobain PAM has been dedicated to the conception, design, manufacture, and marketing of ductile iron products for water supply, sewerage, irrigation, and industry.
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Saint- Gobain PAM
The company’s foray into Latin
(Escuela Colombiana de Ingeniería
America began with the arrival of the
Julio Garavito), specializing in
first pipes at the port of Guayaquil
Environmental Sanitation at the
(Ecuador) in the 1920s, establishing
same institution. He also completed
a significant presence on the continent
a specialization in Commercial
by supplying pipes, accessories,
Management at the University of
and PAM valves to its major cities’
La Sabana, (also in Colombia). His
water networks.
tenure at Saint-Gobain PAM dates
Saint-Gobain PAM owns production
back more than 15 years, during
plants in Europe, Asia, and Latin
which he has held different positions
America, with its two plants in Brazil
in commercial areas, being appointed
supplying approximately 50% of the
CEO of Saint-Gobain PAM-LATAM
products for sale. The company is
Norte in late 2021.
supported by commercial offices in Mexico, Colombia, and Peru, where it also has strategically located distribution centers. “We are a significant actor in the global water and sanitation sector,” said Hermann Varon, CEO of Saint-Gobain PAMLATAM Norte.
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A REFERENCE IN WATER AND VARIOUS INDUSTRIES SOLUTIONS Saint-Gobain PAM specializes in designing and manufacturing products and services capable of preserving water quality and the environment, not only in the present but in a lasting manner that benefits
EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN THE COMPANY, NOW LEADING OPERATIONS
future generations.
Varon is a civil engineer who
iron pipelines, serving not only the
graduated from the Julio Garavito
water and sanitation sectors but also
Colombian Engineering School
the general industrial sector as well
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The company provides comprehensive solutions for ductile
Construction
- Hermann Varon, CEO of North LATAM for Saint-Gobain PAM
We are a significant actor in the
GLOBAL water and sanitation sector
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Saint- Gobain PAM
as mining, being a reference in water
shape of the graphite obtained
conveyance projects.
by magnesium treatment. PAM
Constant contact with markets,
ductile iron pipes are solid under
its clientele, and the development of
loads, and resistant to pressure,
increasingly better solutions provide
and impacts.
Saint-Gobain PAM with a leadership
• The standard automatic self-
position, expanding its reach to new
sealing joint is quick to install.
markets.
Its angular deflection provides
“Our reputation is based on our
flexibility and adaptability, which is
know-how, the reliability of our
crucial in unstable terrains, and is
products, and the performance of
reconfigurable when obstacles are
the services we provide,” said the
present. This element requires no
executive.
on-site welding or reprocessing for
UNIQUE ATTRIBUTES ABOVE STANDARDS In addition to close client relationships,
coating repairs. • The internal lining in highfurnace cement mortar, applied
what distinguishes Saint-Gobain PAM
by centrifugation, is certified for
and sets it apart from the competition
potable water pipes, ensuring
is the durable and highly functional
perfect adherence to the pipe’s
material that allows for robust
internal walls, and guaranteeing
solutions, from which the following
hydraulic capacity.
attributes stand out:
• External coatings of zinc, aluminum-zinc, or Biozinalium
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• Use of ductile iron, composed
ensure long-term protection
of an alloy of iron, carbon, and
with a self-repairing coating that
silicon, with resistance features
responds to various soil types,
resulting from the spheroidal
even highly corrosive ones.
Construction
Revolucionando el cuidado del agua
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Saint- Gobain PAM
“All our products are certified
The company offers a catalog with
and even surpass requirements of
over 50,000 entries, facilitating the
international or European standards,”
design of networks of any size and
added Varon.
complexity, considering different variables, including the availability
THE CLIENT AS MAIN FOCUS AND AS A PARTNER
of digital tools such as the PAMCAD
All solutions and products offered
languages and indispensable for
by Saint-Gobain PAM, as well as
different processes in each project,
their features, aim to provide clients
as well as BIM libraries.
with the best resources available.
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software, available in different
Additionally, there are fast
Construction
installation solutions for builders that do not require specialized personnel, equipment, or machinery. These also do not need welding processes, X-ray tests, coating repairs, or demanding foundations. The assembly rate of ductile iron with sockets is unparalleled due to its robustness, allowing it to withstand high usage pressures and external accidents. The quality of the coatings protects pipes from external corrosion, preserving water quality. Each product is highly durable, and entirely reliable throughout its lifespan, allowing for sufficient and high-quality water supply. “We see our clients as long-term strategic partners, which is why our solutions are designed to be easy to use, quick to install, and reliable throughout their lifespan,” explained the CEO.
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Saint- Gobain PAM
LONG HISTORY AS LEADERS IN INNOVATION Globally, the Saint-Gobain group of companies ranks among the top 100 most innovative companies. Therefore,
coatings, and joints. The company’s engineers and specialists have developed more than 150 inventions, resulting in over 1,500 patents to date. Saint-Gobain PAM’s Research
Saint-Gobain PAM constantly works to and Development Department was optimize the performance of materials, established in France in 1933. This
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Construction
“Technocenter” is operated by a
apparatus to reduce its production’s
team of more than 130 professionals,
environmental impact.
including engineers, technicians,
These measures have resulted
developers, and postgraduate
in reduced water and energy
students, dedicated specifically to
consumption, waste generation, and
researching and developing new
discharge of industrial water. The
solutions until industrialization. The
company maintains objectives such
capacity for generating optimizations,
as reducing CO2 emissions by
development, and market introduction
2025, and aiming to achieve carbon
of new products is such that one in
neutrality by 2050.
every four products sold by Saint-
The LATAM Norte operation of
Gobain PAM did not exist in the
Saint-Gobain PAM, as well as others
market five years ago. At a global
worldwide, is supported by PAM
level, in 2020, these new products
Bionergia, a division located in
represented approximately 30% of the company’s total sales. COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY At Saint-Gobain PAM, environmental preservation and sustainability are commitments fulfilled through actions on all fronts. Between 2018 and 2021, the company invested over US$148 million in its entire industrial
Brazil dedicated to the cultivation, processing, and transportation of charcoal, used as vegetable fuel in the company’s blast furnaces in Barra Mansa. Currently, it is the only company using vegetable charcoal instead of mineral coal for its production processes. “We are committed to respecting the environment,” said Varon.
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Saint- Gobain PAM
CONTINUING TO GROW, INCORPORATING NEW PRODUCT AND SERVICE SOLUTIONS INTO OUR PORTFOLIO, AND DEVELOPING NEW BUSINESS MODELS ARE TASKS WE FOCUS ON TO
BUILD THE FUTURE - Hermann Varon, CEO of North LATAM for Saint-Gobain PAM
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Construction
A FUTURE WITH GREATER EFFICIENCY After a successful 2022 in the North LATAM region, Saint-Gobain PAM maintains high expectations for the
efficient operation in industrial, logistical, and commercial matters. “Continuing to grow, incorporating new product and service solutions into our portfolio, and developing new
end of 2023, despite the challenges in
business models are tasks we focus
this and other industries.
on to build the future,” concluded
The Digital Transformation process the company has undergone since
Hermann Varon, CEO of North LATAM Region for Saint-Gobain.
2022 will result in becoming a more
FOUNDED: 1856 INDUSTRY: Construction CONTACT: Hermann.Varon@saint-gobain.com www.pamline.com.co
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