Walter Benetti de Paula

Walter Benetti de Paula is an Executive Director at The Collins Group. Over the past 40 years, he has extensive experience at French and Brazilian multinational companies. At these companies, his responsibilities included working under the finance, administration, human resources and commercial departments. Walter was involved with several significant projects, including mergers and acquisitions in most South American countries, USA, France and others. He has experience in strategic analysis and planning, industrial organization, profitability management and supply chain management. He is fluent in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. Walter has a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering and finance from the University of São Paulo.

As an Independent Business Consultant since 2009, Walter has done financial and market analyses for companies interested in restructuring, joint ventures, absorption, etc.

As the CFO of Saint-Gobain Abrasives South America he was responsible for Accounting, Treasury, Controllership, Logistics, Information Technology and Legal Departments. Conducted the Saint Gobain Abrasives' Finance and Controllership in South America (6 companies in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela); regional revenues of US$ 200 million/year.

Main results/accountabilities:

  • Worked as Bylaws Director Brazil and President of subsidiary Argentina. Represented Saint-Gobain Abrasives South America's President, between 2001 and 2003.
  • Supervised and coordinated merger of 5 entities in Brazil and Argentina, consolidating the operation in both countries in only 2 companies.
  • Implemented one program of working capital reduction with US$ 15 million gains.
  • Attained Label 2.000 - Saint-Gobain Group certification to companies with highly reliable management systems (including corporate governance concepts), after strict auditing of head office.
  • Led take over processes in Argentina and Peru: coordinated preparation of MOU and SPA; analyzed and valued the company; prepared business plans; and negotiated and hired companies that performed due diligences.
  • Participated in the implementation of Abrasives' world SAP. Participated in the global team that prepared Global Template for Abrasives' in the US.
  • Attained approval from Brazilian Authorities of contract to remit Royalties to Headquarter (US).

As Administrative and Finance Manager of Saint-Gobain Float Glass Division he was responsible for:

  • To manage Treasury, Accounting, IT, Human Resources, Management Control and Legal areas.
  • Created and implemented Budget and Cost Monitoring System totally integrated, comprised of Costs, Technical Norms, Annual Budget and Monthly Budget Control modules.

As CFO of COSAN Group, one of bigger Sugar & Alcohol producer in Brazil, he was responsible for the management of Treasury, Accounting, IT, Human Resources, Controlling and Legal areas.

In Rhodia Group his career included: Technical Supervisor, Plant Controller, Division Controller, Commercial Strategic Plan Manager and Organization & Systems Manager.