O complexo agro-industrial da floresta

Abstract

The Floresta agro-industrial complex, in Juiz de Fora, is an example of the direct transfer of coffee capital to the industry. The complex started with the coffee farm in 1858 and in 1925 the textile factory was installed. The São João Evangelista factory, which started small, had a great boost from the end of the 1930s and, during World War II, obtained extraordinary profits, which allowed the complex to expand and diversify. In the complex, the family management structure worked while profits were high and supported the whole family. With the growth of this and the decrease of those, the problems started. In the 1980s, both the farm and the factory were sold to family heirs. At SJE, a phase of austerity and growth began with the acquisition of approximately 97% of the shares by one of the partners, the grandson of the factory's founder, who remains, together with two sons (fourth generation) in charge of the factory until today.