Heidelberg opens Detroit manufacturing plant

Five years after introducing Saphira Aqueous Coatings to the market, Heidelberg has begun manufacturing the coatings locally at its new Hi-Tech Coatings plant, located in the Detroit suburb of Taylor, MI, USA. A ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening was held Aug. 30. The plant has been in production for several months. Hi-Tech Coatings International, Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Heidelberg Druckmaschinen.

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.

According to Thomas Topp, SVP Consumables and CtP, Heidelberg North America, “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.”