Industry supplier Latex International, which has headquarters in Shelton, Conn., has begun construction of a 251,000–square–foot latex manufacturing plant in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
The facility will operate as a subsidiary of Latex International under the name Dunlop Latex Foam (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. It will produce both Dunlop process and Talalay latex, including 100% natural latex. It’s scheduled to open summer 2011.
“This is a major step in our company’s expansion,” said Kevin Coleman, Latex International president and chief executive officer. “We are building a worldwide infrastructure to support our growth. Sales to markets outside the U.S. have grown to over 25% of total revenue. We have established a presence in South America, Europe and Asia. This plant is necessary to better serve the latex production and delivery needs of these customers.”
The location was chosen for its “attractive foreign direct–investment program,” as well as its proximity to raw materials, transportation infrastructure and skilled work force, the company said.
