HEXPOL LAUNCHES THIRD PRODUCTION LINE IN QUERÉTARO

Queretaro Mexico - November 16, 2016

With the opening of its new production line, the second HF 135 liter machine in the last two years, HEXPOL will generate 50 new jobs and has made an investment of 6 million USD. Twelve thousand metric tons of rubber compounding capacity has been added for the Mexico market. This marks the second expansion of capacity within the last two years. This expansion also added 10,000 square feet for additional expansion at a later date. Both of these expansions include brand new machinery with state of the art support systems. This along with HEXPOL’s Human Capital initiatives have positioned the company well for the growing Mexico market.

Tracy Garrison, President and CEO of HEXPOL Compounding

Mr. Garrison addressed the 150 guests, which included customers, vendors, family and local government officials, by expressing HEXPOL’s great satisfaction with Mexico and how easy it has been to do to business with customers in the Mexico market, which goes with the HEXPOL theme of being the “easiest company to do business with.” He also expressed how important Human Capital development in Mexico is to our continued personal and professional growth. His number one theme; it’s all about Servicing The Customers.

Francisco Viliesid, Managing Director of our Querétaro, Mexico campus spoke saying, "Two years ago we were starting up our Line Two when HEXPOL, aware of the need to support its clients with ample production and first class technical capacity, took the decision to initiate the project for a third mixing line. Together with the increased capacity which we celebrate today, HEXPOL has invested, in the intervening two years, in the growth, development and leadership of its technical team. In 2014 we were about 90 associates in Querétaro, today we are over 160 at the site."

"HEXPOL’s purpose, as always, is to protect its customers’ supply of prime quality rubber compounds and be ready for their growth in the coming years. Today we are adding approximately 12,000 metric tons of capacity per year to the existing capacity of 41,000 metric tons per year. "

Mark George, Director of Operations - Mexico, told the audience of his desire and delight to be in Mexico, how he looked forward to the growth of the business, and the growth of the people. Mark and his family recently relocated to Mexico from Statesville, North Carolina.

As we celebrated, we enjoyed the music. Many thanks to everyone involved in planning the event, working hard over the last year with the installation teams, our customers who attended, and our vendors who continue to support us as we strive to be the best in the industry.

What has become the annual ribbon cutting as the business grows!

The new line, pictured above, was the centerpiece of the celebration. All who attended received a plant tour to be able to visually see the investment into the future. The expansion also included a 10,000 square foot expansion to the building for future use. Everything on the mixing line is brand new and includes state of the art systems from weighment to finish goods.

Francisco Viliesid, Managing Director of the campus and his wife, Gabby, have been pioneers in the rubber compounding business in Mexico. We salute you!

We often say we are one Family! Pictured starting at the left, Mark George - Director of Operations - Mexico, Marco Antonio Del Prete - Secretary of Sustainable Development, Francisco Viliesid- Managing Director, Adrian Viliesid - son of Francisco, Randy Simpson - COO HEXPOL Compounding, Tracy Garrison - CEO and President HEXPOL Compounding, and Daniel Viliesid - son of Francisco