Lehigh Technologies expands to Europe

Tucker, Georgia-based Lehigh Technologies, a manufacturer of micronized rubber powders (MRP), has opened a new location in Barcelona, Spain.

The wholly owned subsidiary, Lehigh Spain, will manage operations for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the company reports. It will also expand the company’s reach, facilitating supply to the Europe-Middle East-Africa region and setting the stage for a manufacturing plant in Spain, according to Lehigh. Lehigh’s market development team of Lluis Molina and Josep Freixas will lead the subsidiary.

The company says the new location will offer all of the functions needed to provide a seamless customer experience across the European Union as well as Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Lehigh Spain general manager Lluis Molina says, “Lehigh has made excellent progress in the market development work we began in 2013. We are now supplying Lehigh’s MRP to multiple European countries and end use markets. Opening Lehigh Spain is the logical next step to broaden our reach around the world and fulfill growing customer demand.”

In addition to serving to the market, Lehigh Spain will handle the European order fulfillment process and ensure smooth operation of the supply chain that includes Lehigh Technologies’ U.S. plant, the company reports.

“Rubber, tire and plastic manufacturers around the world have learned that MRP delivers compelling performance, cost and sustainability advantages,” said Alan Barton, CEO of Lehigh Technologies. “The creation of Lehigh Spain ensures that key commercial and customer service capabilities are more broadly available locally, an important step in expanding the MRP market. We are excited to now look ahead to investing in a European manufacturing presence to further expand supply.”

Lehigh Technologies also reports that it continues to work with Hera Holdings on a European manufacturing strategy for MRP. Over the past year the detailed engineering and design work for the plant has been completed as well as the selection of the engineering, procurement and construction company. Supply chain planning for raw materials is also complete, the company reports.