Hilti last week announced the expansion of its production network with a new facility in Matamoros, Mexico, that manufacturers fastening products for the North and Latin American markets.

During a grand opening event at the site, Hilti and local community officials toured the plant scheduled to begin production in November. The facility allows Hilti to ship products directly to locations throughout North and Latin America, putting Hilti products closer to the customer, and saving on freight costs as well as reducing delivery times and the environmental impacts of transportation.

The facility, which houses 15,000 square meters of production space, will initially employ 50 people, but this figure is expected to grow to 150 by 2015.

Hilti’s international production network now includes nine plants worldwide. Scott Tindle, an experienced, long-time Hilti employee, has been named plant manager.

The 65,000-square-meter facility gives Hilti the possibility to expand production according to future market needs. In addition to providing better service to our customers while cutting transportation costs and impacts, the Mexico-based facility also enables Hilti to limit negative currency influences because both material procurement and production take place in the same economic area.

“The opening of our plant in Mexico represents the next step in the development of our global plant structure,” said Pius Baschera, Hilti group chairman. “The further strengthening of our international production network ensures the improvement of our competitive ability and our presence with the customers.”

Hilti is a world-leading manufacturer and supplier of quality, innovative and specialized tools and fastening systems for the professional user.