Celso Rodrigues, founder of Transporte Rodrimar, dies at 85

Businessman Celso Rodrigues, founder of Transporte Rodrimar, one of Lavras' most traditional trucking companies, died this Wednesday, November 11, at the age of 85. The death was announced by the company itself, in a condolence note published on social media.

Born on June 8, 1941, Celso devoted more than half a century to freight transport. Rodrimar was founded on May 2, 1970, according to the company's registration with Receita Federal (Brazil's federal tax agency), and marked 56 years on the road in 2026.

From the first truck to a family business across generations

The story began with a single truck. In a video published by the company in 2025, Celso summed up the start of the journey this way:

"When I bought my first truck, I never imagined I was starting a story of generations."

Celso Rodrigues, in a video from Transporte Rodrimar

From that dream grew a family business that hauls cargo from Lavras to every corner of Brazil. Its headquarters are in the Distrito Industrial Deputado Sylvio Menicucci. In 2024, Rodrimar earned ISO 9001 quality certification and, in 2025, became a corporation, Transporte Rodrimar S.A. The company has also taken part in community initiatives, such as collecting donations for flood victims in Rio Grande do Sul in 2024 and in Ubá in 2026, and supporting the volunteer effort by Lavras and regional businesspeople that paid for the pothole-repair operation on BR-265 in 2023.

Tribute while still alive

In July 2025, Rodrimar delivered a truck in honor of its founder, which the company called "a tribute on wheels". At the time, the trucking company wrote that Celso "was not just the founder" but "the heart that set this story in motion", and that Celso built "much more than a company". According to Rodrimar itself, Celso's grandchildren are already preparing to take over the business.

Condolence note

"With deep sorrow, we mourn the loss of Celso Rodrigues, our founder. May his memory always be remembered with affection."

Transporte Rodrimar

Wake and burial

The wake takes place at Velório São João Batista, in Lavras, starting at 11h this Wednesday (11). The burial is scheduled for 16h.

Photo: Company handout/Transporte Rodrimar.

Rádio Cultura de Lavras extends its sympathy to the family, friends and employees of Transporte Rodrimar during this painful moment.