Hugo Lara, president of Vidrio Plano (a Vitro subsidiary) says it's construction sector products will support sales growth in 2007, overcoming a slowdown which is expected in the autoglass business. He forecast that construction sector sales will grow by 6-7% in 2007 while autoglass sales are expected to be unchanged from 2006. Mr. Lara said that sales of autoglass, which represent 25% of total revenue, are highly dependent on the three US car majors, GM, Ford & DaimlerChrysler, all of whom are experiencing problems. During 2007, the company will invest US$40M to strengthen its tempered, laminated & bevelled glass processing, including in autoglass plants. Of the total investment, US$ 8M is destined for Spain, US$ 13M for the USA, & the rest for the Mexican operations, above all in float glass maintenance, Mr. Lara said.
