Castle Metals Expands in Querétaro

Castle Metals Mexico Celebrates Rapid Growth During Open House at New, Larger Facility

March 20, 2023

In early March, Castle Metals Mexico hosted an open house to formally unveil their spacious new Querétaro facility to customers, set just a few miles from the original location.  The move to a larger building was initiated due to an increase in business opportunities and a greater need to support customers out of this region.

A variety of Castle Metals aerospace and industrial customers were in attendance at the event including Aernnova Aerospace, Safran, Bombardier, Airbus, Danfoss and more.

Guests enjoyed speeches by Castle Metals executive team members President and CEO Marec Edgar and Senior Vice President of Aerospace Damien Mancini.  Other corporate hosts included Executive Vice President of Aerospace and Chief Supply Officer Mark Zundel, Director of Global Aerospace Asier Gonzalez, and Vice President of Operations Jayton Chrestman. Local leader and Managing Director of Castle Metals Mexico, Carlos Rodriguez, also spoke at the event.  A number of employees from other local Castle Metals branches participated in the open house festivities.

In 2016, Castle Metals Querétaro opened its doors as an industrial branch before enhancing their services with the inclusion of Castle's aerospace division two years later.  Now, just four years after accepting their very first aerospace order, the thriving Mexican branch is forecasting to triple their 2019 revenue.

While servicing prominent aircraft component manufacturers directly has been an exceptionally profitable undertaking for the Querétaro team, generating success at this speed and scale is not without its snags; namely in terms of operating space.  Querétaro's once practical 20,000 square foot facility quickly proved inadequate to sustain the vast influx of work.  Relocating to a larger 60,000 square foot facility was the next logical step.

Asier Gonzalez said that it is rare for a raw materials service provider to have direct supply contracts with major, international OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), which he calls a remarkably unique achievement.

"OEMs and their supply chains look for global supply solutions," said Gonzalez. "Querétaro's expansion reinforces the strength of our global footprint and overarching goal of supporting global OEMs and their sub-tiers within the three main interconnected regions: North America, Europe and Asia."

Jayton Chrestman said that from an operations standpoint, he is pleased with how Castle Metals is positioned and feels confident that this move will only generate more success in Mexico.  He has indicated that Castle Metals Mexico is a key region for the company's future growth in general, due to its emerging manufacturing capabilities for Castle Metals' industrial and aerospace end markets. 

"Our 2022 investment in laser processing in Monterrey, along with our expansion of capacity in Querétaro allows for significant growth for Mexico's future, and positions Castle for significant future aerospace growth within other global markets," said Chrestman.

Gonzalez echoed Chrestman's sentiments regarding such growth opportunities.

"Mexico has been gaining an important place in the global aerospace supply chain for several years," said Gonzalez.  "This expansion affirms Castle's strategy to be well-positioned in the aerospace global market, servicing key customers on a local level."