Sandvik expands cemented-carbide plant in Mexico

The investment will increase production capacity in several rapidly growing product areas. The production covers cemented-carbide microdrill blanks for the electronics industry and solid-carbide rods used in the automotive, aerospace and die and mould industries. For many years, the plant in Mexico also manufactures cemented-carbide blanks for balls in ballpoint pens, which is another growth area. The number of employees will increase by about 20 as a result of the investment.

"Through this decided expansion in Mexico and the earlier expansion carried out at the cemented-carbide plant in Coventry, England, we are continuing with the successful strategy to focus operations on customer segments that have a higher growth rate than the industry average. We are well-positioned to meet the expected sharp increase in demand in the immediate years ahead," says Sven Flodmark, President of Sandvik Hard Materials.

Sandviken, 23 February 2001

Sandvik AB; (publ)