MEXICO - Rehau has inaugurated Plant Celaya 3 in central Mexico, a strategic move involving a USD 25 million investment to expand its edgeband manufacturing capacity.

Positioned alongside two existing plants in Apaseo el Grande, Guanajuato., the new facility adds 16,000 m2, projecting the creation of 300 jobs by 2024. Executives, including Rehau Group President Dr. Veit Wagner and Americas CEO Dr. Thomas Troeger, emphasized the plant's pivotal role in North America's woodworking industry and its positive impact on the local communities.

Edgeband, a narrow polymer strip matching the top melamine boards and HPL brands in the woodworking sector, undergoes a complex manufacturing process, resulting in a diverse range of over 10,000 SKUs. Dr. Thomas Troeger highlighted Rehau's esteemed reputation for producing edgeband that impeccably aligns with surface laminates. He underscored the labor-intensive and skill-intensive nature of the proprietary technology, expressing confidence in central Mexico's skilled labor force to support this specialized production.

Steven John, director of Plant Celaya 3, emphasized the intricate nature of edgeband production and the collaborative effort required for the successful plant opening. International colleagues from Brazil, Germany, Spain, and Canada worked alongside the local Mexico team, integrating extensive global edgeband manufacturing experience into the operations at Celaya.

The success of the new plant is bolstered by a robust supply chain strategy, including dedicated Rehau trucks facilitating daily transportation between Celaya and the company's new Dallas warehouse. Additionally, an integrated Americas-wide supply chain management team ensures efficiency and coordination. The expansion aligns with Rehau's commitment to meeting the evolving demands of the woodworking industry in North America.