With the opening of its laminate floor manufacturing plant in High Point, NC, Mannington Mills joins a short list of producers with a plant in the United States. Witex of Germany, Mannington’s laminate supply partner, assisted in the design and operation star-up of the 108,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art plant situated on a 23-acre property with room for expansion.

“Two factors were key to our decision to build a laminate plant in North America,” said Tony Kelly, Mannington president and CEO. “One is the insistence on controlling our own destiny. And two is our experience entering new product categories successfully.

“We have the advantage of being able to build a plant with the most efficient manufacturing systems and equipment available today. This new plant confirms our position as a leader in the laminate category.”

Only three operators are needed to operate the press and paper lines, which have a daily output capacity of 75,000 square feet. Included in the facility is a quality control lab complete with its own small press.

Overseeing the new plant is Doug Brown, vice president operations, Mannington Wood Floors and Mannington Laminate Floors. And, the new plant is located just a few miles from the wood plant. In the future, products from both facilities will be shipped from one location to distributors.