MetoKote Corporation Breaks Ground for New Facility in Germany

Online, November 25, 2009 (Newswire.com) - LIMA, OHIO - November 30, 2009-MetoKote Corporation, the industry leader in the application of protective coatings, broke ground in Germany on a new 38,000 square foot facility.

The $9.8 million investment is MetoKote's first facility in Germany and is located in the city of Mannheim, Baden-Wurttemberg. The company expects to begin production in July 2010 and when at full capacity will employ approximately 50 employees.

The facility will include a power and free electrocoat system with multi-color capability, warehouse space and administrative offices. The line is designed to coat a variety of metal substrates with a part window of 3'x 6'x11'5". Additional land is available for future expansion.

MetoKote's decision to locate in Germany was influenced by the coating needs of Germany's leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery and long-term customer, John Deere. Mannheim is home to John Deere's European headquarters and tractor manufacturing and engineering facility. MetoKote has provided coating services to John Deere since 1992 when they began their first contiguous-operation with them in Augusta, GA. MetoKote will provide coating and logistic services to them as well as other companies within the Mannheim region.

President and CEO of MetoKote, DeWayne Pinkstaff, represented the company and attended the groundbreaking ceremony in Mannheim. Mr. Pinkstaff expressed his excitement to have a presence in Germany. "We feel there is a definite need for protective coatings in and around the Mannheim area. We feel this presence in Germany can lead us to further expansion in the European theatre and beyond."