Heidelberg opens manufacturing plant in Detroit

Five years after introducing Saphira Aqueous Coatings to the market, Heidelberg recently began manufacturing the coatings locally at its new Hi-Tech Coatings plant, located in the Detroit suburb of Taylor, Michigan, USA.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening was held on August 30. Hi-Tech Coatings International is a wholly owned subsidiary of Heidelberg.  

The Taylor site is a further development of two existing European manufacturing facilities located in the UK and the Netherlands, both acquired by Heidelberg in 2008. The new plant boasts increased automation and streamlined material handling, improving both safety and workflow efficiency. The 32,000-square-foot installation also has been designed to accommodate increased capacity as the business grows.  

Thomas Topp, SVP consumables and CtP, Heidelberg North America, said: ‘The new coatings plant strengthens Heidelberg's commitment to help its customers achieve consistently high quality and high productivity while lowering waste and reducing cost. Centrally located for fast, convenient shipping, the new installation puts the quality and reliability of Saphira Aqueous Coatings within easy reach of companies across the US, Canada and Mexico.’  

Pictured l-r: Ken Freek, vice president, product management, Heidelberg Canada; Stefan Gohr; Thomas Topp, senior VP finance, consumables and Prinect/CtP; Martin Skillen, Hi-Tech Coatings International; Jean-Francois Colpron, VP consumables; Kurt Wiggins, product manager consumables

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