LEESBURG, Va., – REHAU announces the 13,000 sq ft. (4,000 sq. m) expansion of its manufacturing plant in Celaya, Mexico.  The expansion, which was celebrated during a grand opening ceremony on August 26, includes administrative offices, meeting rooms, a REHAU Academy training facility and an indoor/outdoor display of REHAU polymer-based solutions for the construction, automotive and furniture industries.  It also features a number of REHAU sustainable building and renewable energy systems, including a REHAU ECOAIR™ ground-air heat exchanger, energy efficient radiant and solar-thermal water heating, high-performance vinyl windows and doors, RAUCORD™ polymer wicker outdoor furniture, RELAZZO™ wood-polymer composite decking and an energy-efficient polymeric pool cover system.  The new office areas are additionally furnished with innovative REHAU Acoustic Line™ sound-absorbing tambour doors.

“With the expansion of our Celaya facility, we are able to integrate manufacturing and administration functions all under one roof,” explained Stephan Joachim, REHAU sales director and member of the company’s national steering committee for Mexico and Central America.  “Having our offices within the plant will allow for more efficient business practices, and will also create synergy among our employees, not only in sharing meeting spaces and common areas, but also through engaging in cross-departmental idea exchanges.”

“The expansion in Celaya represents growth across all of our North American business units, and is an encouraging economic indicator for automotive, construction and industry,” said Christian Fabian, REHAU North America vice president, marketing and sales.  “We are excited to see how increased production capabilities in Celaya will impact further business opportunities for REHAU, and help us continue to deliver unlimited polymer solutions in North America.”

REHAU established its manufacturing operations in Celaya in 1993, when the company began production of magnetic gaskets for refrigerators in a rented facility with 12 employees.  REHAU constructed its own plant in 2000, and expanded its staff to approximately 80 employees to accommodate its growing gasket business and allow for new edgeband production for furniture applications and rigid profile extrusion for commercial cooling applications.  In 2004, the REHAU Celaya plant commenced manufacturing windshield moldings for the automotive industry, beginning with a lateral glass molding for the Ford Motor Company.  Additional business with Dodge, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen followed, and by 2009 the plant had expanded to accommodate high-volume production of windshield moldings, belt line moldings and roof ditch moldings for numerous automotive OEMs.   According to Joachim, by 2013 the Celaya plant will produce 3 million car sets annually, including for Nissan and Infinity contracts acquired in 2011. 

In addition to expanding its automotive business, the plant began production of silicone gaskets for commercial ranges and added vinyl window profile foiling capabilities in 2010.  Presently serving Mexico, Central America and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, REHAU’s Celaya operations also supply to customers in the automotive, furniture and appliance industries throughout the U.S. 

“While REHAU’s Celaya plant is already located in a thriving hub for automotive manufacturing, we are seeing additional industries moving into the area and hoping to capitalize on existing supplier capabilities that can translate across disciplines,” Joachim said.  “We anticipate our expertise in engineering unlimited polymer solutions will be attractive in this regard, and have begun to investigate relationship opportunities outside the automotive and appliance industries.”

According to Joachim, the plant’s business in automotive component manufacturing remains strong, and is anticipated to grow in the coming year.  “We will also be focusing efforts in 2012 on providing complete fabricated door systems to the commercial cooling industry, which we expect will have a significant impact on energy efficiency in supermarkets,” Joachim said. 

For additional information, contact REHAU’s North American headquarters: 1501 Edwards Ferry Rd., N.E., Leesburg, Va., 20176. Phone: 1.800.247.9445. Fax: 1.800.627.3428. Email: rehau.mailbox@rehau.com. Web site: www.na.rehau.com. 

To reach REHAU S.A. de C.V. in Celaya, contact: Carretera Libre – Queretaro KM 8.5, Rancho Nuevo, Apaseo el Grande, Guanajuato C.P. 38192. Phone: +461.618.80.50. Fax: +461.618.80.79. Email: informes@rehau.com. Web site: www.rehau.com.mx.

REHAU delivers “Unlimited Polymer Solutions,” and is the premium worldwide brand for polymer-based innovations and systems in construction, automotive and industry. The company generates continuous growth through its expertise and innovative capabilities in materials development, systems design and surface technology. Approximately 15,000 employees at more than 170 locations around the world ensure success of the independent, privately held company.