Vitromex adopts largest Sacmi press and kiln in Mexico

The new production line successfully started up at the Vitromex facility in San Luis Potosí (Mexico) completes the investment programme carried out by the company with the aim of expanding its range of medium-large and large size tiles.

Supplied by Sacmi, the line is equipped with the first PH 10000 high-tonnage press installed in Mexico, a modern 5-tier ECP 285 dryer, and an EKO 355 single-channel roller kiln with an entrance width of 3550 mm, currently the largest in the country.

The new line stands out in particular for its high level of efficiency. EKO technology exploits cross-flows to ensure the maximum temperature uniformity across the kiln width, resulting in outstanding flatness and uniform density of finished products, while direct kiln feeding after the pressing, drying and glazing stages eliminates the need for intermediate stock. Last but not least, the CRS rapid mould change system adopted on the PH 10000 allows moulds weighing as much as fifty tons to be changed in complete safety by a single worker in well under an hour.

Part of GIS (Grupo Industrial Saltillo), a giant with business interests spanning a wide range of industries from automotive to construction and home tools, Vitromex is celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of its foundation this year. It has a production capacity of 57 million sq.m/year and a 2016 output of 55 million sq.m, 20% of Mexico’s total ceramic tile production. Along with the latest PH 10000, a total of 12 presses supplied by Sacmi between 2000 and 2013 are in operation at the company’s four manufacturing facilities.