| |
By Bob Moser
CORRESPONDENT
Published: June 18, 2014 3:39 pm ET
Updated: June 18, 2014 3:48 pm ET
BUENOS AIRES — Argentina's only local producer of extrusion and co-extrusion lines, Roberto O. Rodofeli y Cia. srl, is further pursuing sales in the United States after breaking into the market in recent years, and is actively looking to move its plant to a new site with more than twice the space, the company's director told Plastics News during Argenplás.
The 42-year-old Argentine company, which produces extrusion and co-extrusion lines capable of making film with up to nine layers, sold more than 70 machines last year, 50 percent of which were exported, primarily to clients in Central and South America.
The United States is a growth market Rodofeli is making a concerted effort to target this year. The company has sold 10 machines in the U.S. to four clients since 2011, with design adaptations made to meet unique demands there, including a 75-millimeter extruder and new versions of multi-layer lines, said Roberto Rodofeli in an interview during Argenplás in Buenos Aires June 16-19.
“We see the U.S. as a promising market where our machines can sell competitively, in comparison to other options from around the world,” he said. “The U.S. economy seems to be rebounding and strong, relative to some other export markets.”
The company's long-standing production facility of 4,300 square meters is located in the city of San Martin, Buenos Aires province, but Rodofeli said space constraints and a rise in criminal activity near the plant are prompting the firm to move.
Industrial park and undeveloped property options elsewhere in the province that can offer greater security are currently being explored, with as much as 10,000 square meters of operating space being targeted, he said. The move should occur within the next two years, though Rodofeli declined to estimate projected costs for the project. | |
