Duravit is pleased to share that its new ceramic plant in Matane, Canada – the brand’s first production facility in North America – is well underway and on track to be completed in 2025, following the project’s groundbreaking in July 2023. With the building and enclosure completed, the 35,000-square-meter facility is preparing to install specially developed electric roller kilns powered by nearly 100% renewable energy. The kilns and the plant’s access to key waterways combined are projected to save up to 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year. Duravit’s investment in this state-of-the-art facility reflects new industry standards for sustainable ceramic production and strategic commitment to this key market.
Next Steps
“As the Matane facility approaches completion later this year, we are very optimistic about the growth opportunities on the horizon for North America,” said Bob Downie, president & CEO of Duravit USA Inc. “Our local-for-local product manufacturing and distribution strategy will have a significant impact on the U.S. and Canada, supporting strategic sales initiatives as well as optimizing our supply chain and customer support capabilities to ensure consistently high-quality products.”
Christian Gilles, formerly production manager at the Hornberg facility, and now head of manufacturing in Matane, established residence in Matane last September to oversee the plant’s ongoing construction and development.
Strategic hiring remains a key focus at this stage with full capacity by 2026. Duravit expects the plant to support 240 highly skilled jobs – a major economic boost for the region. The Matane facility will produce toilets and other products specifically for the North American market, 100% Canadian-made. The new plant’s strategic location on the Saint Lawrence River simplifies logistics and distribution, which saves up to 1,500 tons of carbon dioxide per year.
“We’re expecting the first toilet to roll out of the new facility in Canada in the third quarter of 2025,” said Gilles.
Craftsmanship and Technology
The technology for the first electric roller kiln for sanitary ceramics was developed by the world’s leading industrial kiln manufacturer, Riedhammer, based in Nuremberg, Germany. Riedhammer is also a subsidiary of the multinational SACMI group, headquartered in Imola, Italy.
The kilns will be operated almost entirely using renewable hydroelectric power, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by up to 8,500 tons each year. In addition to the state-of-the-art kilns, Duravit is assembling an experienced team to ensure the Matane plant produces ceramic consistent with Duravit’s durability and high quality standards. The facility is also investing in a driverless transport system, robotic glazing, chamber drying, advanced quality control methods and an administrative wing with an exhibition center to welcome customers.
The new Matane plant joins the expansive network of Duravit production facilities worldwide. It also supports the brand’s global growth strategy, which focuses on procuring resources locally and targeting the products it manufactures for the local markets.
