The new production site was officially opened on October 9 by Philippe Muyters, Flemish minister for work, economy, innovation and sports at the company’s celebratory launch event.
The launch of Kebony’s factory in Belgium signals the Norwegian company’s intention for domestic and international expansion.
Kebony has experienced continued annual growth with international sales rising by an average of 30% year-on-year for the last seven years. In order to meet the increased demand, the new factory has been opened to enable Kebony to double its current annual production capacity of Kebony Clear wood to 20,000m³.
Kebony’s original factory in Norway will continue to specialise in the production of Kebony Character wood, while maintaining its role as the company’s research and technology hub.
Situated in the heart of Europe, the new factory is ideally located to benefit from a variety of European connections. The close proximity to the port of Antwerp will allow the export of Kebony products to European and overseas markets such as the US to become more efficient and cost-effective.
The new plant is located near Kebony’s machining partner, Rudy De Keyser, in Kruibeke, supplier of FA, TFC in Geel and next to the site of the chemical company LANXESS, at the Scheldt Chemical and Industrial Park (ScCIP) in Kallo, which will deliver utilities and site services to the new factory.
Construction of the facility was delivered within budget, with funding supplied by European investors including the Flemish investment company PMV and SFPI-FPIM. With limited additional investment, the new facility in Flanders would have the potential to quadruple its current production to approximately 80,000 m³ of Kebony wood.
The factory will support Kebony’s plans to accelerate sales in the coming years and will act as a catalyst for significant international expansion in key central European markets such as Germany and France.
“The opening of our second factory is a momentous occasion in Kebony’s history and will be vital to our continued growth for many years to come,” said Bruno Van den Branden, chief executive officer.
