Columbia Machine Inc. has closed on the assets of its manufacturing partner in Brazil, Vibramolde, and announced investment in a new manufacturing facility based in the country’s Campinas’ prime industrial zone. The operation equips subsidiary, Columbia Machine do Brasil Ltda, with more than double the existing Vibramolde capacity, while expanding warehouse space for spare parts, molds and off the shelf machines—all with an eye to enhancing service to new customers and existing accounts.
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| Vibramolde President Fabio de Andrade (left) and Columbia Machine CEO Rick Goode. |
“Columbia has been active in Brazil for over 40 years. This acquisition leverages our successful partnership with Vibramolde to increase our capacity to supply producers with high quality aftermarket parts, mold solutions and production machines,” says Rick Goode, chief executive officer of Vancouver, Wash.-based Columbia Machine. “We are excited about the opportunity to grow our presence and better serve the Brazilian market with shorter lead-times and faster local support. This larger facility will also give us the space required to have demonstration machines onsite, starting with the Model1600 and SPM20.”
“After years of hard work, we are excited about the potential this acquisition brings in terms of our ability to meet the growing demand for Columbia technology and molds for all types of machines,” adds Vibramolde founder and President Fabio de Andrade. “Joining the Columbia team, in our new factory will ensure our continued growth and our position as a market leader. Vibramolde has a long history of industry-leading molds for all machines in the Brazilian market. In addition, our new facility will be a stocking house for genuine Columbia parts to service customers in Brazil.”