<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-12-047674.txt : 20120824
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-12-047674.hdr.sgml : 20120824
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20120705145917
<PRIVATE-TO-PUBLIC>
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-12-047674
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	CORRESP
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20120705

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GERDAU S.A.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001073404
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STEEL WORKS, BLAST FURNACES & ROLLING & FINISHING MILLS [3310]
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			D5
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		CORRESP

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		AVENIDA FARRAPOS, 1811
		CITY:			PORTO ALEGRE, RIO GRANDE DO SU
		STATE:			D5
		ZIP:			90220-005
		BUSINESS PHONE:		011-55-51-3323-2703

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		AVENIDA FARRAPOS, 1811
		CITY:			PORTO ALEGRE, RIO GRANDE DO SU
		STATE:			D5
		ZIP:			90220-005

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	GERDAU SA
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19981112
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>CORRESP
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>filename1.htm
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">July&nbsp;5, 2012</font></p>
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Mr.&nbsp;Rufus Decker</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Accounting Branch Chief</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">United States Securities and Exchange Commission</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Washington D.C. 20549</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 10.0pt;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Re:</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Gerdau S.A.</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">  <br>    </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Form&nbsp;20-F for the Year Ended   December&nbsp;31, 2011</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">  <br>    </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Filed April&nbsp;23, 2012</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">  <br>    </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Response dated June&nbsp;12, 2012</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">  <br>    </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">File No.&nbsp;1-14878</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Dear Mr.&nbsp;Decker:</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">This letter responds to the comment letter (the &#147;Comment Letter&#148;) from the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) dated June&nbsp;21, 2012, concerning the Annual Report filed on Form&nbsp;20-F for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2011 filed on April&nbsp;23, 2012 and response dated June&nbsp;12, 2012.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">As noted below in our response, we have supplied the requested clarification or agreed to change or supplement the disclosures in our future filings, as the case may be. Our agreement to change or supplement the disclosures in our filings is undertaken to cooperate fully with the Staff and to enhance the overall disclosure in our filings, and not because we believe our prior filing is materially deficient or inaccurate.&#160; Accordingly, any changes implemented in future filings should not be taken as an admission that prior disclosures were in any way deficient.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">We would be pleased to discuss any aspect of these responses with you at your convenience. We intend, as we have in the past, to use these comments constructively to make appropriate adjustments in disclosure in each subsequent submission as part of our ongoing reporting obligations.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The following is the Company&#146;s response to the Comment Letter.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Comment No 1</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">We note your response to comment two from our letter dated May&nbsp;31, 2012. You indicate in your revised disclosure that the reduction in net cash from operations is also attributed to higher working capital needs to support the 10% increase in shipments in 2011 when compared to 2010. As previously requested, please expand this disclosure to discuss the underlying reasons for changes in accounts receivable, inventories, trade accounts payable and other receivables. Your current disclosure does not discuss the underlying reasons for changes in each of your working capital components. Given the impact of the changes in your accounts receivable and inventories, please also tell us whether a discussion of financial measures such as days sales outstanding and days sales in inventory would be relevant to a reader of your financial statements. Please show us supplementally what your revised disclosure will look like.</font></i></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Response</font></u><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">:</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">In response to the Staff&#146;s comment, the Company will revise its disclosure in future filings to state clearly the changes in the Company&#180;s working capital needs and we intend to include in future filings disclosure similar to that presented below:</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1<a name="PB_1_182832_7056"></a></font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;In 2011, the net cash from operating activities decreased by 58.7% in relation to 2010. This reduction resulted mainly from the R$ 6,113.7 million increase in purchases of trading securities in 2011, compared to the R$ 712.2 million increase in 2010, and the R$ 4,384.8 million increase of proceeds from maturities and sales of trading securities in 2011 compared to the R$ 2,423.6 million increase in 2010. These variations were due to the Company&#146;s capital increase that occurred in April&nbsp;2011. On the other hand, even with a 10% increase in shipments in 2011 compared to 2010, the Company realized efforts to reduce working capital needs. Due to these efforts, </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">trade accounts receivable recorded an increase of R$ 203.0 million in 2011 compared to an increase of R$ 660.9 million in 2010 due to the Company&#146;s objective of reducing customers payment terms , inventories increased R$ 681.6 million in 2011 compared with an increase of R$ 1,160.4 million in 2010 as a result of the efforts to increase inventories turnover, and trade accounts payable had an increase</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"> of R$ 1,121.4 million in 2011 compared to the increase of R$ </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">110.4 million in 2010 due to negotiation of&#160; better payment terms with some suppliers.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">In 2010, net cash from operating activities decreased by 34.8% due to new demand levels, which resulted from the economic recovery from the international financial crisis and the resulting increase in production levels, which, in turn, affected the Company&#146;s working capital needs. Consequently, </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">trade accounts receivable recorded an increase of R$ 660.9 million in 2010 compared to a decrease of R$ 1,449.7 million in 2009, inventories increased R$ 1,160.4 million in 2010 compared with a decrease of R$ 3,766.1 million in 2009, and trade accounts payable increased</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;"> R$ </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">110.4 </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">million in 2010 compared to a decrease of R$ </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1,731.9 million in 2009.&#148;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The Company understands that a relevant measure to be presented, since its disclosure is based on <i>working capital</i>* information, is the <i>cash conversion cycle**</i> and not detailing the days sales outstanding and days sales in inventory, and as a result of that, the Company intends to include in future filings disclosure similar as follows: &#147;As a consequence of the efforts implemented to reduce the working capital needs, the cash conversion cycle decreased from 94 days in December&nbsp;31, 2010 to 84 days in December&nbsp;31, 2011.</font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#148;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">*<i>Working capital</i>: trade accounts receivable, plus inventories, minus trade accounts payable (considering all accounts at the end of the period).</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">**<i>Cash conversion cycle</i>: working capital, divided by net revenue (in the last three previous months) and multiplied by 90.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Comment No 2</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">We note your response to comment four from our letter dated May&nbsp;31, 2012. Please revise your disclosure to specifically discuss the nature of the transactions that resulted in the increase in your non-controlling interests due to the effects of interest changes in subsidiaries. Alternatively, you may discuss and disclose the significant transactions that resulted in the majority of the increase in the line item called &#147;Effects of interest changes in subsidiaries.&#148;</font></i></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Response</font></u><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">:</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">In response to the Staff&#146;s comment, the Company will revise its disclosure in future filings to state clearly the effects of interest changes in subsidiaries and we intend to include in future filings disclosure similar to that presented below:</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;The Company presents at footnote 3.1 of its Consolidated Financial Statements, a table with the ownership information of its main subsidiaries. Also, the Company presents in its footnote 3.5 of its Consolidated Financial Statements the acquisitions of additional interest in subsidiaries. The effects recognized in the Shareholders&#146; Equity related to interest changes in subsidiaries for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2011 in the amount of R$ 721,261 can be summarized as follows:</font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2<a name="PB_2_182851_5335"></a></font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Shareholders&#146;&nbsp;Equity</font></b></p>    </td>
<td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.0%;">
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="43%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.5%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Attributed&nbsp;to&nbsp;parent<br>   company&#146;s&nbsp;interest</font></b></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
<td width="18%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:18.0%;">
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Non-controlling&nbsp;interests</font></b></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
<td width="12%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:12.0%;">
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Total</font></b></p>    </td>
<td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.0%;">
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="43%" valign="top" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.5%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 20.15pt;text-indent:-20.15pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(a)&nbsp;Reclassification   of balances due to changes in subsidiaries ownership as per note 3.1</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="18%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:18.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(435,328</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">)</font></p>    </td>
<td width="18%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:18.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">435,328</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="12%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:12.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#151;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="1%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="43%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:43.5%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 20.15pt;text-indent:-20.15pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(b)&nbsp;Changes   in the Paraopeba &#151; Fixed Income Investment Fund</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="18%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:18.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#151;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="18%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:18.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">274,268</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="12%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:12.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">274,268</font></p>    </td>
<td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 10.0pt;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(c)&nbsp;Other changes</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#151;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">11,665</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.5%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="12%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:12.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">11,665</font></p>    </td>
<td width="1%" valign="bottom" bgcolor="#CCEEFF" style="background:#CCEEFF;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 10.0pt;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Effects of interest   changes in subsidiaries</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(435,328</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">)</font></p>    </td>
<td width="18%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:18.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">721,261</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="12%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:12.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">285,933</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="left"></div>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(a)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Reclassification of balances between amounts attributed to parent company&#146;s interest and attributed to non-controlling interests in the amount of R$&nbsp;435,328 are due to changes in subsidiaries ownership. According to IAS 27, changes in a parent&#146;s ownership interest in a subsidiary that do not result in the loss of control are accounted for within equity. This amount does not change the Equity of the Company.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(b)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Changes in the Paraopeba &#151; Fixed Income Investment Fund, which is managed by JP Morgan, due to changes in the amount invested by each subsidiary of the Company in comparison with the amount of investments held by non-consolidated entities (related parties) in the amount of R$&nbsp;274,268. This amount represents a reduction in the balance invested by the Company in this fund, which through the consolidation process represents an increase in non-controlling interest.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(c)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Other variances in subsidiaries without losing control in the amount of R$&nbsp;11,665, which may include among other effects, capital increases, other acquisitions of interests and dilutions of any nature.&#148;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">***</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The Company acknowledges that:</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">the Company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filing;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Staff comments or changes to the disclosure in response to Staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing; and</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">the Company may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Please contact the undersigned at +55.51.33232657 if you have any questions concerning this response letter.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 60.0pt;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Very truly yours,</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 60.0pt;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">GERDAU S.A.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/ Osvaldo Burgos Schirmer</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Name:</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Osvaldo Burgos Schirmer</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Title: </font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Chief Financial Officer</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3<a name="PB_3_183152_5796"></a></font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:3.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Copy:</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Ernest Greene</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Staff Accountant</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Jeanne Baker</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Assistant Chief Accountant</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4<a name="PB_4_183443_2897"></a></font></p>
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