Following the modernization of its furnaces over the past two years, Vidriera Monterrey, the company that gave rise to Vitro in 1909, has become the packaging plant with the largest capacity in the gr…
Following the modernization of its furnaces over the past two years, Vidriera Monterrey, the company that gave rise to Vitro in 1909, has become the packaging plant with the largest capacity in the group. David Gonzalez, director of business for Vitro Envases, stressed that in the past two years Vidriera Monterrey has increased its production capacity by 58%. “Today this plant is capable of producing 3.5 million pieces (bottles) per day, of which 50% are for export and 50% for domestic sales.” Before the capacity expansion, 80% of the production of the plant went to the export market, mainly the US, and only 20% to the domestic market, Mr. Gonzalez said, so growth was oriented to meet Mexican demand. For the modernization of its furnaces, Vitro has invested about USD 120 million in Vidriera Monterrey and hired about 200 people, to reach a total of 1,850 employees at the plant. He said that the packaging operation requires great innovation, in addition to quality and service, as it serves “AAA” customers, who operate at world quality levels. In addition, the furnaces are in continuous operation, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Each glass furnace has a lifespan of about 14 years, so when it comes time to renew, new designs and technologies that allow greater capacity and better efficiency in energy use are incorporated, said Mr. Gonzalez. “Today the new furnaces are operating with a 30% improvement in efficiency in energy use,” he said. The company uses on average 25% cullet in its processes, allowing for better efficiency in energy use. Vitro Packaging has nearly 10,000 employees in six plants in Mexico, 3,000 in Central America and 1,000 in Bolivia. Seventy-five percent of Vitro Packaging capacity is located in Mexico and the rest in Central America and Bolivia, together with its partners.