Woodbridge Group, Summa Group partnering on EPP facility in Mexico

In an expansion of its partnership with polyurethane supplier Summa Group, Mississauga, Ont.-based auto parts molder The Woodbridge Group is establishing a joint venture in Leon, Mexico.

The new company, called DuraLite Formed Plastics, will be built adjacent to the existing joint venture plant in Leon, Mexico, and will offer molded expanded polypropylene (EPP) and expanded polystyrene (EPS) capabilities.

According to a Magna news release, production is scheduled to begin in early 2012.

“Mexico continues to be an attractive market for the automotive industry, with forecasts calling for substantial growth over the next five years,” said John Zianis, general manager of The Woodbridge Group’s formed plastics business unit. “This EPP and EPS footprint expansion is a strategic complement to our existing operations in Canada and Europe. This plant will also strengthen relationships with existing OEM and Tier customers and better position the business to attract new customers.”

Automotive products to be manufactured at the facility will include “CargoSmart” cargo management components, “StructureLite” seating frames, “WhisperTech” acoustical management components and “EnerFlex” crash force management components, such as head and side impact countermeasures and bumpers.

Additionally, the Leon plant will serve various other markets, with a range of packaging and construction products.