How we prevented a loss of 36 million due to hail: the real case that proves prevention is no longer optional

0
Sistema antigranizo insonorizado

We prevented hail losses in a scenario where more than 120 million euros were at risk. It is not a promise, it is a real case that demonstrates how a storm can go from being a multi-million threat to a non-impact event when action is taken in time.

Hail does not warn… but it can be anticipated
Every year we see it. Every season confirms it.
Hail is no longer an occasional risk, it is a recurring threat that can destroy millions in a matter of minutes. Anticipating to avoid hail losses must be part of the agenda of any producer or company that has exposed assets.

And we are not talking about theory.

We are talking about a real case.

One that occurred on October 10, 2025 in Piracicaba (Brazil), and that today (right before the storm season in Europe) has become a clear warning for any company with exposed assets.

Because what was at stake was not minor:

  • More than 6,000 vehicles outdoors
  • A value exceeding 120 million euros
  • A loss scenario that could reach 36 million euros

And yet, there was no damage.

What happened during the storm: hail, impact… and an unexpected result.


That afternoon, a severe storm formed over the state of São Paulo.
Heat, humidity, atmospheric instability, electrical activity… and hail. The phenomenon affected more than twenty municipalities and caused visible damage in multiple urban areas near the Hyundai plant in Piracicaba.

But within the protected area, something happened that completely changes the way this risk is understood:

👉 The hail fell… but it caused no damage.

While in nearby neighborhoods impacts were recorded on infrastructure and vehicles, in the protected area the assets remained intact.

It was not luck. It was foresight.

How we protected more than 120 million euros with less than 1% investment


The difference was in the decision made before the storm.

In this case, three soundproofed hail protection systems were installed, working in a coordinated manner to cover the critical area.

The investment was clear:

Just over €200,000
Less than 3% of the total potential damage value

The result was even clearer:

👉 €0 in hail damage

When the potential impact could have exceeded 36 million.

How hail protection really works (without chemicals and without altering rainfall)

Sistema Antigranizo Hyundai Brasil

At Grupo SPAG, we work with a simple but extremely effective physical principle:

👉 We apply controlled acoustic pulses that micro-fragment hail during its formation and fall

This means:

We do not prevent the storm
We do not alter the water cycle
We do not use chemicals

But we do achieve something critical:

👉 Reduce the size and energy of hail until eliminating its ability to cause damage

That is why, although the hail fell in the protected area, it did not generate real impact on the assets.

Why this case matters now (April): the critical season begins

If you are reading this now, there is a reason.

We are entering the months when hail risk rises again:

Spring
Thermal instability
Convective storms
Increasingly intense events

And this is where most people make the same mistake:

👉 Waiting for it to happen

The Piracicaba case demonstrates exactly the opposite:

👉 When the storm arrives, it is already too late to decide

The reality no one wants to assume: a storm can change everything

In sectors such as:

  • Automotive
  • Logistics
  • Agriculture
  • Energy

Thousands of assets remain exposed every day.

And hail has a characteristic that makes it especially dangerous:

👉 It acts quickly, without margin for reaction and with direct impact on results

In less than 15 minutes you can go from:

  • Intact production
    👉 to
  • Multi-million losses
  • Operational shutdowns
  • Mass claims
  • Reputational damage

Our conclusion after this case: protection is no longer an option

From our experience, this case marks a turning point.

Not because of the technology itself.

But because of what it proves:

👉 That it is possible to avoid damage
👉 That the cost of protection is minimal compared to the risk
👉 And that the difference lies in anticipating

As we usually say internally:

“When hail arrives, the important decision should already be made.”

What you should do now

If you have exposed assets, this is the moment.

Not when the radar shows a storm.
Not when the first ice stones start to fall.

Now.

Because the next storm will not be an exception.
It will be part of the new normal.

How to effectively protect assets from hail?

The most effective way is through active prevention systems such as shock wave hail protection systems, which reduce the size of hail before impact.

Does the hail protection system affect rainfall or the environment?

No. It is a physical system, without chemicals, that does not alter the water cycle or precipitation.

How much does it cost to protect a facility from hail?

It depends on the area, but in many cases the investment represents less than 3% of the total protected value.

When is the best time to install a hail protection system?

Before the start of the storm season, usually between late winter and spring.

English