MSI, Spectrum Quartz Will Operate U.S. Slab Plant
LATTA, S.C. – MSI and Spectrum Quartz announced a joint venture today for the quartz-slab manufacturing plant now being constructed here.
The joint venture is a further development of Spectrum’s plans, announced in May, to build a U.S. quartz-slab-fabrication facility
The move will combine MSI’s financial backing and sales/distribution network and Spectrum’s manufacturing expertise.
Work continues on transforming an existing 360,000 ft² building into a state-of-the-art quartz manufacturing facility. The first two quartz lines will begin test production later this month, with commercial production expected in the first quarter of 2020.
Two additional lines will be operational shortly thereafter with ample space for further expansion.
The venture is expected to create hundreds of jobs and give a significant boost to the economies of Latta and Dillon County as a whole.
“The future for quartz manufacturing in the United States is very bright, said Rup Shah, MSI president. “The demand for quartz continues to grow at double- digit rates as quartz takes substantial market share away from other countertop surfaces. Even with this investment in manufacturing, demand will continue to exceed supply for the foreseeable future.
“We expect to focus on producing colors catering to the luxury segment of the market, adding to MSI’s diverse palette of approximately 100 colors of Q Premium Natural Quartz. We believe that the combination of Spectrum’s manufacturing expertise and MSI’s unparalleled sales and distribution capabilities will create the leading North American quartz manufacturer.”
Shah added that MSI has been working with Alex Xie, president of Hirsch Glass/Spectrum Quarts for several years, and “we quickly realized the enormous potential of both parties working together on this venture.
“We share a common vision for the future of the U.S. quartz market as well as common core values. In addition, Spectrum Quartz not only has incredible manufacturing expertise but also patent-protected technology that will allow us to create the next generation of innovative colors and designs.”