Finest and Largest 2022: Meet the corporate of the 12 months and the winners of the forty ninth version

The most important award in the economy highlighted, in addition to the growth and financial results of companies, ESG impact practices

Best and Biggest reached its 49th, solidifying its new format for evaluating companies that are celebrated annually by the event. With the continuity of the partnership with the ibmec, the main business award in the country grew in the number of companies, and this time brought the performance of 1,000 companies — a remarkable fact for the yearbook, which last year analyzed 627 companies — from 22 sectors of the economy. Together, they recorded a net income of 6.26 trillion reais, an accumulated profit of 760 billion and an equity valued at 18.6 trillion reais.

The event also threw a spotlight on the Startup of the Year and Social Entrepreneur of the Yearcategories won by health tech Alice and Celso Athayde, from the NGO CUFA. The main award of the night, Company of the Year, went to Cosan, owner of Raízen, Compass, Rumo and a series of other initiatives. Among the factors that led to such recognition were the very solid quarterly results, despite seasonality and the growth in expenses with the expansion of businesses such as Sulgás.

Chat between André Esteves, Rubens Ometto and Guilherme Gerdau: successful journey in the last fiscal year (Leandro Fonseca/Exame)

Held this Monday, the 12th, the 49th Melhores e Maiores took place in a hybrid way, with in-person awards and 100% online transmission. In addition to the executives of the winning companies, Guilherme Gerdau, from the Gerdau municipality, Rubens Ometto, CEO of Cosan and André Estevessenior partner at BTG Pactual (from the same controlling group as Exame).

In the opening speech of the event, Esteves highlighted the efforts of companies that are mentioned daily by EXAME and celebrated by M&M. “We are privileged to promote Brazilian companies to the next level. It is this next step that creates jobs, income and a positive dynamic for our society”, said Esteves.

Ruben Ometto reinforced that Cosan’s good performance in the last year is due to the nonconformist spirit that surrounds all layers of the company he commands. “We believe in the country in which we operate. Therefore, we seek partnerships and apply all ESG compliance. The results of this are wonderful. Not only in the well-being of employees, but also in what we take to consumers. As a result, there are even more benefits that come across the entire company operation.”

Guilherme Gerdau, when asked what makes a company the best of the year, recalled the moment when the steel company took the category trophy in 2021, and, like Ometto, attributed the appreciation of people as one of the decisive factors. “It’s been 120 years of work and, in the midst of that, we have the joy of always having better results every year. And the concept of valuing people is one of the best ways we have to show respect for the work of all our teams that provide these advances”.

Best and Biggest 2021: The winners in each sector

agribusiness
Highlight: Agricultural Slc

Food and drinks
Featured: JBS

Wholesale and retail
Highlight: SBF Group

Capital Goods and Electronics
Highlight: Randon

Energy
Highlight: Cosan

Pharmacist and Beauty
Highlight: Eurofarma

Real Estate and Civil Construction
Highlight: Votorantin

Fashion and Clothing
Highlight: Lupo

Paper And Cellulose
Highlight: Irani

Oil and Chemical
Highlight: Brasken

Sanitation and Environment
Highlight: Ambipar

Health and Health Services
Featured: Sabin Medicine

Financial services
Featured: Livelo

Steel, Mining and Metallurgy
Highlight: Gerdau

Technology and Telecommunications
Highlight: Intelbras

Transport, Logistics and Logistics Services
Featured: Let’s Group

Source: Exam