Algerian conglomerate Cevital Group is launching into the window profile business in a big way, starting up a facility near Algiers with 19 extrusion lines.
Cevital, based in Kouba, Algeria, bought 23 twin-screw extruders for the facility and is making window profiles on 19 lines in a new factory in Bordj Bou Arreridj, according to Munich-based equipment supplier KraussMaffei Berstorff.
Cevital's profile making subsidiary, which operates under the name Oxxo, has annual capacity of 720,000 windows.
The Algerian firm has been making flat glass for the construction industry since 2008, with a daily capacity of 1,400 metric tons, and decided to expand into window profiles, according to the announcement from KraussMaffei.
It exports its flat glass, made by its subsidiary Mediterranean Float Glass, to Europe as well as selling domestically.
“The order volume shows the extent to which Oxxo wants to position itself on the [window profile] market,” said Peter Oswald, head of product management at KraussMaffei. “We are very proud to count this newcomer among our customers in the area of window profile extrusion.”
The news release said other expansion stages will be gradually implemented.
Houcine Medjahed, Oxxo's director of supply chain, said that company conducted extensive training programs.
Cevital, which was founded in 1971, said it is Algeria's first private industrial group. It had annual sales of 2.5 billion euros ($2.8 billion) in 2013 and 14,500 employees, with business interests in food processing, automotive and services, logistics and distribution and general industry.
Cevital's founder Issad Rebrab was named North Africa's richest person in 2015 by Forbes magazine.
