Leading U.S. resin distributor Ashland Chemical Co. is expanding its product range in Mexico with the addition of fiberglass reinforcements made by local producer Vitro Fibras SA. Vitro Fibras, a joint venture of glass firm Vitro SA of Monterrey, Mexico, and Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp. of Toledo, Ohio, is Mexico's only national fiberglass maker. The added product range is the result of a distribution agreement between Ashland's FRP Supply Division and Vitro Fibras, whose current production capacity in Mexico is between 15 million and 20 million pounds, according to Bill Merz, Ashland FRP Supply Division's vice president and general manager.
``We are expanding in Canada and Mexico. It is important for us to be in Mexico with Vitro Fibras. They had a choice and selected Ashland because they know our financial position and that we are serious about being North American,'' said Merz.
The deal strengthens FRP Supply's existing foothold south of the border, where it already distributes products with Ashland's General Polymers division.
He admitted that business had been slow because of the peso devaluation, but said the reinforcement business could grow $5 million to $10 million in the next two to three years.