Duravit boosts presence in North America with new plant in Canada

According to Duravit, the opening of its new manufacturing site in Matane, Canada, is a milestone that points to the future of the sanitary industry. The state-of-the-art facility is one of the first plants in the world that uses exclusively electric power to fire sanitary ceramics – a breakthrough for a traditionally energy-intensive sector. At the same time, Duravit’s new site is a logical continuation of its local for local approach: in future, products for North America will be manufactured directly in North America. 

With an investment volume of over C$90million, the factory forms a strategic cornerstone of the company’s global growth strategy. Manufacturing is already underway with 102 employees at present, a number that is set to rise to 240 by the time the plant is fully operational in 2027. A factory stretching across 35,000sq m is being built with a future manufacturing capacity of up to 450,000 ceramic parts – washbasins and toilets – per year for the North American market. 

The strategic location on the Saint Lawrence River guarantees short transport routes and means that the region can be supplied using minimal resources. Access to a deep-sea port and the use of clean, cost-effective energy were central reasons for the choice of location.

“The Matane region has shown us a huge amount of trust and support right from the start. For us, this factory is more than a manufacturing site: it’s a collaborative project with the local community. We want to create long-term jobs that offer prospects and actively contribute to economic development,” said Christian Gilles, head of production for Duravit Canada.

The official opening of the new plant was attended by around 80 guests from the worlds of politics, business, and media. Duravit was represented by Christian Gilles, Thomas Stammel (COO), and Lüder Fromm (CMO).