Osasco is one of the cities with the highest development index of São Paulo State. Known as “work-city”, it stands out for the entrepreneurship of its population. Osasco 10th largest economy in the country, 6th in the Southeast region and 3rd in São Paulo State.
History
The region where today Osasco stands used to be essentially rural. Near the banks of Tiete River, in the 19th century, there used to be a fishermen’s village and large farms. One of these farms was sold to Italian immigrant Antonio Agu, and that’s how our story begins.
Antonio Agu was the owner of several pieces of land and businesses in the region. In 1887, he bought a piece of land located at Km 16 of Sorocabana Railway. In 1890, he decided to expand his brickyard and invited Baron Dimitri Sensaud De Lavaud to be his partner. The small factory that produced bricks and tiles became manufacturer of tubes and pottery. This was the city’s first manufacturer, called Companhia Cerâmica Industrial de Vila Osasco.
Besides various initiatives, in 1895, Agu built the Railway Station, as well as many houses in its surroundings for the workers who arrived to work at the construction site.
Managers of the railway wanted to name the station after him as a tribute, but Antonio Agu asked to pay the tribute to his hometown in Italy: Osasco.
Since then, that region became known as Osasco and it didn’t stop growing, since many well-known businessmen and manufacturers moved here. Immigrants were hired to operate machines and this is how the local population increased.
Osasco grew in population as much as in businesses and reached progress. In 1952, the first movements to separate the city from São Paulo emerged.
The movement to emancipate the city had many setbacks, but finally, after a controversial referendum, on February 19th 1962, Osasco was emancipated from São Paulo. Since then, this date make us, the people who love and work for the progress of this city, very proud.
Source: Museu Municipal de Osasco Dimitri Sensaud De Lavaud
Av. dos Autonomistas, 4001
Phone number: (11) 3654-3108
A strong economy
Osasco, gateway to the Western region of Greater Sao Paulo, is currently experiencing one of the best moments in its history. Today, the city has a dynamic, strong and sustainable economy and a steady social progress.
Development brought by industries, trade companies, retailers, wholesalers and service providers, which called the attention of Federations, Associations, as well as other relevant bodies related to productive activity.
Osasco is the regional capital of the Western part of São Paulo Metropolitan Region. You will find here the headquarters of Centro das Indústrias do Estado de São Paulo – CIESP, of Federação das Associações Comerciais – FACESP, of Serviço Brasileiro de Apoio à Micro e Pequena Empresa – SEBRAE, Trade Board and unions, besides SENAI and SENAC schools.
Some of the companies that are important for Brazilian economy are also here, such as Bradesco Bank, one of the largest private financial institutions in the country; SBT, the second largest television network in the country; the printing plant of the newspaper Diário de São Paulo; and Submarino, the largest Brazilian e-commerce company.
Osasco is the city of Greater Sao Paulo in which there are more business investments. In the retail and wholesale businesses, there is Wal-Mart, the first store to be opened in Brazil; Sams Club; Carrefour; Makro and two large shopping malls.
Plus, micro and small companies are offering twice as much job positions, rising from 20% to 40% in the last 20 years. Store owners represent over 9 thousand business establishments, many of which belong to Osasco Armenian community members and are located on Antonio Agu St., a traditional street where more than 100 thousand people go everyday.
Another important place is the 10-km long Autonomistas Av., where you’ll find supermarkets, universities, car stores and a shopping mall.
Together, businesses and services are the core of Osasco’s economy, creating each month 250 new business ventures.
Privileged Logistics
The 67-square-kilometer area of Osasco is cut by highways, large avenues, railway lines and waterways that offer various logistical possibilities, besides direct access to the city of São Paulo.
Osasco’s location increasingly attracts companies and jobs, due to its privileged location: easy access to Marginal Pinheiros and Tiete, to three major highways – Castelo Branco, Raposo Tavares and Anhanguera and to Rodoanel (road system that optimizes the transportation and distribution of products in the metropolitan region of São Paulo).
The construction of the southern portion of Rodoanel will improve the access to Anchieta-Immigrants, to the port of Santos, to the ABC region and to the Eastern area of São Paulo. Currently, the West section, which crosses Osasco, provides easy access to the five highways interconnected by the inner ring road.
The city’s rail network consists of five stations and two railway lines, in which 15 million passengers are carried every year.
With the revitalization of railroads throughout the country, the infrastructure of tracks available in Osasco allows new freightage possibilities, which will help companies improve their logistics operations.
Osasco in numbers
Area: 65 km²
Population: 666, 469
(Source IBGE – Feb/2011)
State Ranking: 3rd largest GDP in São Paulo State
National Ranking: 10th largest GDP in Brazil
