HOEXTER, Germany—Arntz Optibelt Group is consolidating its growth in the Americas with the construction of a new production facility in Mexico.
The Hoexter-based belt manufacturer said in a Feb. 9 press release that construction work began for the "Optibelt Production Mexico" project at the end of last year. The plant is expected to be up and running "no later than the beginning of 2024."
Managing Director Konrad Ummen said the expansion is an initial phase that will help Optibelt's goal of launching its standard drive belt range for the general mechanical engineering and agricultural machinery sectors "despite the prevailing difficulties with supply chains and procurement markets."
The first phase of the Mexico project includes a modern production facility with over 100,000 square feet, which will include office space for administration and support teams, according Optibelt.
The site also will offer "considerable room for expansion and future growth," the company added, noting the site could expand from the initial range of products and increase overall production capacity.
Exact location and cost of the expansion were not disclosed.
"Since the 1970s, our company's own sales organization has already positioned itself successfully in the USA and the other large markets on the American continent," Management Board CEO Reinhold Muehlbeyer said. "This greenfield project in Mexico underlines our wish to support and accelerate our growth in the region by manufacturing our product ranges locally."
Arntz Optibelt Group is a family-run manufacturer of high-performance drive belts, serving the mechanical engineering, automotive industry, agricultural machinery, lawn and garden, household appliances, and medical sectors. It currently operates eight production sites in six countries with more than 2,400 employees.
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