COLOMBIA (Notifix) - The Colombian manufacturer of ready to assemble furniture, Moduart, is about to complete the first stage of the expansion and modernization project

of its manufacturing facility. The investment, amounting to USD 4 million, not only significantly increases production capacity, but will bring further benefits in product quality and process flexibility. The company, with manufacturing site in the port city of Barranquilla, designed this major investment with the support of the engineering firm Schuler, a German consulting expert in projects for furniture manufacturing. The project's execution, including systems, machinery and high tech equipment, became evident in recent weeks with the implementation of the new lay-out. Currently the project is in the process of installing a Homag automated edgebanding line and Biesse drill, from Germany and Italy respectively, and will continue for the coming weeks when it will install more equipment and processes to achieve full implementation by the end of the third quarter 2012. Moduart expects with this investment in new technology to achieve significant gains in quality, efficiency and productivity to better serve its customers. "This investment will allow us to accompany the region's retail in its organic growth, to respond efficiently and differentiate us with quality and flexibility", said Maria Mercedes Piedrahita, Marketing Manager of the company. Moduart founded in 1983, currently exports to 15 countries on the continent. In 2011 it achieved sales of approximately USD 29 million, leading the ready to assemble furniture industry in Colombia and the Andean Region.