Javier Sánchez Caballero is a founding partner of PONTEM, a consultancy specialized in infrastructure, energy, and in negotiations and partnerships with China in the field.
Who is Javier Sánchez Caballero?
Javier Sánchez Caballero is an industrial engineer who graduated in 1978 from the Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA).
How old is Sánchez Caballero?
He is 65 years old. He has a long and rich career in the private sector of engineering and construction, having specialized in large infrastructure and energy developments and their associated financing. In his professional career, he has built important relationships with Chinese companies in the field.
Javier Sánchez Caballero in China
Professional career
Private sector
From June 2018 to the present, he is CEO of PONTEM SAS.
Given the growth needs in the areas of energy and infrastructure in Argentina and Latin America, he created PONTEM as a suitable vehicle to advise companies and governments on development alternatives in general infrastructure, and in particular, for projects that could be leveraged by Chinese technological and financial potential.
From March 2017 to May 2018, he was advisor to the board of SACDE S.A.
As advisor to the new shareholders of SACDE (formerly IECSA), he was responsible for:
i) guiding the board in all aspects of the company: its structure, managements, staff, resources, objectives, and strategies;
ii) carrying out the strategic realignment required by the new shareholder;
iii) introducing the new shareholders of SACDE to the top managers of the partner companies in the sector, and in particular, to the Chinese companies previously related to IECSA, signing cooperation contracts in Beijing; and
iv) on the occasion of the “One Road One Belt” meeting in Beijing, he was responsible for organizing business meetings for the official Argentine delegation.
From August 2013 to March 2017, he was CEO of IECSA S.A.
As CEO of IECSA, he was responsible for administering and managing all areas of the company. In particular, he redefined the strategy, reduced the structure of the central office, and divided the operations management into business units with greater responsibility. He implemented a detailed objectives program, another one for financial monitoring, and carried out an equipment renewal plan.
He also deepened relations with China, signing a Strategic Alliance with CZEC (a CNNC subsidiary) for the development of nuclear plants, cooperation agreements with Powerchina for the development of hydroelectric projects, and agreements with SANY to jointly undertake renewable energy projects.
Public sector
In 2016, on the occasion of the G20 meetings held in Hangzhou, he was responsible for organizing a series of business meetings for the Argentine delegation.
From 2005 to August 2013, he was Commercial Director of IECSA S.A.
In that period, the commercial management carried out led to the acquisition of major nuclear and energy works, gas pipeline projects, railway and highway works, and large architectural projects.
Contracts were also obtained for pipeline works for mining and energy companies in Chile and Brazil, and highway works in Brazil and Colombia (including the largest road project in Colombian history, in partnership with local companies).
The management carried out positioned IECSA as one of the most important and professional construction firms in the region.
It was also a fruitful period for international partnerships. Under his leadership, the department signed agreements with:
- The French company ALSTOM for the development of civil works in projects with high electromechanical content;
- CHINA RAILWAY FIRST SURVEY AND DESIGN INSTITUTE to submit private initiatives for the electrification of railway branches;
- The company CCCC to submit a private initiative for the cleanup of the Riachuelo;
- CNNC to provide advice for the development of nuclear plants in Argentina; and
- Hyundai to participate in the TAV São Paulo–Rio de Janeiro project, among others.
From 2005 to 2017, he was VP and later President of Minera Geometales.
Sánchez Caballero’s leadership gave a strong boost to the company, achieving the establishment of a 5,000-hectare exploration area with enormous copper potential in the province of Mendoza. Several mining campaigns were conducted, partially determining the existing mineral resource.
Other background:
From 2002 to 2005 he was Commercial Manager of IECSA S.A. (shareholder: SIDECO)
From 2000 to 2001 he was Commercial Manager of CPC S.A. (shareholder: ICA of Mexico)
From 1988 to 1999 he was Commercial Director of MANLIBA S.A. and ASEO S.A. (shareholder: Waste Management USA – SIDECO)
From 1983 to 1988 he was Commercial Manager of PENSA S.A. (shareholder: Pennsylvania Eng. Corp., USA)
From 1979 to 1983 he was Director of LA PRODUCTORA ALIMENTARIA SACIAF