Pilkington North America Automotive held an open house to celebrate its new service center in Guadalajara last Friday, March 11. Approximately 175 people attended the day-long event which started at 10 in the morning and went through dinner that evening.

"People came from Mexico City and Mexicali and as far as seven hours drive away," pointed out Peter Martin, senior manager accessories for the company in Columbus, Ohio. "We had 10 suppliers and the overall response was that this was as good or better than an NGA show."

The suppliers at the open house in Guadalajara were Aegis Tools International, A.N. Designs, Auto Glass Components (AGC), Dow Automotive/Essex ARG, Equalizer Industries, The Extractor, Fein Power Tools, Gold Glass Group, Precision Replacement Parts and Sika Corp.

Martin explained that the customers had the opportunity to buy from the suppliers, which made presentations and had displays. "It was so successful that if we had filled orders that day, we would have drained our inventory," he added.

"A lot of the customers in Mexico haven't been as exposed to the suppliers as they should be," Martin stated. "This open house was a great experience all around."

The 12,000-square-foot facility has a full time staff of five people and stocks Pilkington's glass and accessories.

As part of the official open house, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held, and a priest blessed the facility.