The new plant, located in the state of Querétaro, north of Mexico City, represents an investment of $120 million for Guardian.
Guardian Glass Group President Russell Ebeid and Managing Director of Latin American Operations Mark LaCasse joined Mexico's Minister of the Economy Fernando Canales, Querétaro Governor Ignacio Loyola, Querétaro Secretary of Sustainable Development Leopoldo Mondragon and El Marques Mayor Javier Martinez, at the ground-breaking ceremony.
"Guardian Industries is confident in Mexico's long term growth," said Ebeid. "We are here to support that growth while serving an expanding customer base in Latin America. With the completion of this world-class glass manufacturing facility, we will add quality jobs and enhanced services that will generate innovation and growth in the Mexican glass industry."
"Guardian chose to locate in Querétaro to take advantage of a strong, energetic work force and supportive, cooperative state and municipal governments," said LaCasse. "In addition, Querétaro's central location will help us meet the needs of this emerging Mexican market."
Scheduled to begin production in the third quarter of 2004, the facility will employ approximately 300 people and produce 650 tons daily of high quality float glass for architectural and automotive applications. Indirectly, Guardian expects the facility to generate more than 1,000 additional jobs by adding to its supplier and logistics base.
Guardian's other Latin American locations include float glass plants in Porto Real, Brazil, and Maturin, Venezuela, and distribution facilities in Veracruz, Mexico, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Cartagena, Colombia.
The new plant in Mexico is part of Guardian's aggressive growth strategy that has included new float glass plants in Poland and England, and recently launched coaters in Luxembourg and the United States.
Guardian Industries to expand in Mexico with construction of its 24th float glass plant
In a ceremony in El Marques, Mexico, Guardian Industries executives and government officials officially broke ground for what will be the company's 24th float glass plant.