A close to US$21 million investment, the expansion project will increase Vidriera Queretaros monthly production capacity by up to 15 million units and meet increasing demand for glass soft drink, beer, wine and liquor, and food By increasing its capacity, Vitro will satisfy consumers growing need and preference for transparent, light, high-quality, and hygienic containers.The new furnace, which is currently operating, will also add to Vitros state-ofthe-art Glass Container operations network and will enable the company to compete with the most advanced production technology worldwide.
Our expansion meets our customers growing needs. Sales of our glass containers products are rising, and this furnace will provide an immediate answer to market demand, said Roberto Rubio, Vice President of Vitros Glass Containers and Glassware Operations.
The new furnace offers Vitro a number of competitive advantages. It will:
Expand Vidriera Queretaros capacity by 25%
Increase operating efficiency, benefiting customers
Ensure the companys high quality standards
Significantly reduce the companys energy consumption, protecting the
The upgraded furnace will allow us to fulfill the soft drink markets increasing demand for our top-quality glass containers, said Alfonso Gomez Palacio, Vitros Sales and Marketing Vice President.
Having worked closely with our soft drink customers for many years, Im always enthusiastic about offering them just what they want, when they need it, added.
One of Vitros six production facilities in Mexico, Vidriera Queretaro (Viquesa) focuses on manufacturing glass containers for the companys domestic and export markets, and generates the best efficiency ratios.
In 2002 Vitros Glass Containers business sales increased 0.9% to US$977 million and accounted for 42% of Vitros consolidated sales. Excluding the effect of the companys April 2002 divestiture of Ampolletas, Glass Containers sales would have risen by 3.2% versus 2001.
Year-over-year, Glass Containers 2002 EBIT and EBITDA increased 28.7% and 9.6%, respectively, reaching US$117 million and US$214 million.
Vitro actively promotes and educates the public about the myriad advantages of glass recycling and environmental protection. The company coordinates, sponsors, and directly participates in a number of national and international programs and initiatives. In Mexico, Vitro supports approximately 52 joint
recycling programs with communities, schools, hotels and restaurants, federal, state and local governments, and disposal collecting centers, among others.
Vitro expands production capacity to fulfill growing glass container demand
Vitro announced today that, in order to increase its production capacity and to fulfill current and future customer needs, it completed upgrading the largest furnace in Vitros Glass Container operations network at Vidriera Querétaro.