RAMOS ARIZPE, Mexico -- Behr America, a global supplier of automotive air conditioning and engine-cooling systems, yesterday held grand opening ceremonies for its new $13 million plant in Ramos Arizpe, State of Coahuila.

The new 130,000-square-foot plant will supply engine-cooling units for passenger cars and heavy-trucks to nearby automotive assembly plants in Mexico. It also will export some components to the United States. By 2010, it is expected to generate an estimated $110 million in annual sales.

"Despite the challenges that have occurred in the domestic North American automotive industry, 2006 has been a year of preparation for future growth for Behr," said Frank Mueller, Behr America president and chief executive officer. "The Ramos Arizpe plant is a welcome addition that will allow us to serve our customers' needs in the NAFTA region. We value the strong relationship we are building with community leaders and the State of Coahuila."

The Ramos Arizpe plant will initially employ 135 hourly and salaried employees. If future business warrants the need, the facility has been designed for expansion.

With its population of approximately 45,000, Ramos Arizpe, in close proximity of Saltillo (capital of the State of Coahuila, population 550,000) is located 540 miles northwest of Mexico City, near the heart of Mexico's manufacturing area. General Motors, Ford Motor Company, DaimlerChrysler, Mercedes-Benz and International Truck and Engine Corp. are just a few of the vehicle manufacturers with facilities in or near the city.

In July, Behr also broke ground on an $8.5-million, three-story, 69,000-square-foot office building in Troy, MI, that will increase the overall size of its four-year-old North American headquarters and technical center by more than 75 percent. The company also is completing a more than $100 million renovation of its largest plant, Dayton (Ohio) Thermal Products.

For more information about Behr, go to: http://www.behrgroup.com.