Janesville Acoustics opens plant in Mexico

Janesville Acoustics, a Jason Incorporated company and leading global supplier to the automotive and transportation industry, has officially opened a 90,000 square foot plant in central Mexico. The facility – which is located in Celaya, Guanajuato – provides Janesville Acoustics with a strategic location from which to support the growing automotive industry in the region. Participating in the May 8 opening ceremony were Héctor López Santillana, governor of Guanajuato; Rubí Laura López Silva, mayor of Celaya; David Westgate, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Jason Incorporated; David Cataldi, president of Janesville Acoustics; and several customers.

“Like all Jason companies, Janesville Acoustics recognizes the value of manufacturing and supplying products in close proximity to our customers. Therefore, adding a plant in Celaya, where we are within arm’s reach of several vehicle assembly sites, made perfect business sense,” said David Cataldi. “As the global automotive industry continues to increase its presence in Mexico, we anticipate Janesville Acoustics’ Mexican footprint will expand in response.” The addition of the Celaya plant marks Janesville Acoustics’ second manufacturing facility in Mexico. In 2000, the company opened a plant in Uruapan, located in west-central Mexico.

Janesville Acoustics invested approximately $4.5 million to establish the Celaya plant, which is located in a leased facility. Within two months, the company expects to employ 150 individuals at the location, 63 of which have already been hired. The plant will produce parts utilized to manage vehicle acoustical performance and, therefore, features a felt line for production of the company’s Marabond® material, compression molding presses, and water jet trimming equipment.

“Jason has an aggressive goal of 15 to 20 percent annual overall growth, to be accomplished through a combination of acquisitions and organic strategies. Thus, our attention is finely tuned to growth markets, like Mexico,” said David Westgate. “We’re extremely optimistic about the opportunities that will come from Janesville Acoustics’ increased Mexican presence and foresee the potential for other Jason companies to enter the market or expand their footprint here, as well.”

“We are honored to add Janesville Acoustics to the growing list of companies that are investing in our region,” said Governor Héctor López Santillana. “Their investment not only helps to spur our economy, but also contributes to Guanajuato’s worldwide reputation as an automotive manufacturing leader.”