9th August 2007. With the expansion and modernisation of its production plant in San Juan, Argentina, edding AG is placing its money on the continued growth of the Latin American market.

Founded in 1960, the company is a global player and front runner in the marker market across large swathes of Europe and South America. As a strategic growth location, Argentina is hugely significant to the edding Group and to the South American market. To date, 90 per cent of the products made in Argentina have been produced for the South American market. “We see huge potential in the site”, comments Benno Lohausen, Director of edding AG. “The expanded production site in San Juan, completed in June and situated close to the Argentine/Chilean border, will make it easier for us to cater for the high demand in Latin America.”

Even back in the 1960s, edding enjoyed good relations with partners in South American markets. “We went to Argentina intentionally. It was here that we founded our own subsidiary in the year 2000", adds Benno Lohausen as he underlines edding’s commitment to the region. “In the years of political unrest that ensued, we were fully aware of the risks, but we held firm all the same. This is now paying dividends for us, resulting in expansion of our production facilities.” The inauguration ceremony at the end of June was attended not just by José Luis Gioja, the Governor of San Juan province, and local church representatives, but also by the German ambassador, Dr. Rolf Schumacher.

The company’s bond with Argentina is also highlighted by its sponsorship activities: to mark its opening, the edding subsidiary donated countless boards to schools in the region. edding is also supporting Argentinean sailors Gustavo Warburg and Maximo Smith in their quest to take part in the 2012 Olympic Games in London in the star (sailboat) class. The team is currently successfully competing in European events.

Thanks to its current investments in - and ongoing commitment to – Argentina, edding has continued to consolidate its market position in South America. “We are full of optimism as we look to the future – and we intend to get involved in many more projects in South and Central America“, adds Lohausen in summary.