CRL of Europe Relocates German Headquarters to New Facility near Stuttgart
September 11, 2009

Los Angeles-based C.R. Laurence Co. Inc. (CRL) has opened a new 36,000-square-foot facility in Ilsfeld, Germany, north of Stuttgart. Formerly located in Bad Wimpfen, the new location brings the products and services closer to Stuttgart, and is easily accessed from the E 41 Highway.

“This is an important segment of our European strategy,” says Donald E. Friese, chairperson and chief executive officer. “We want to offer our European customers the same wide range of products we currently provide North America and Australia. We also plan to present our ‘rapid customization’ process to the European market, providing customers with products built to their specifications, with lead times similar to ‘off-the-shelf’ products. As we move forward, we plan to focus a great deal on Europe as an opportunity for growth.”

The new facility will enable CRL to stock a much larger inventory of products for European customers, and will also feature new shipping equipment and computer systems for quick delivery. Customers will be able to pick up orders onsite. A showroom will display new products, including full size working models of architectural hardware products, frameless shower door hardware, glass railing systems, all-glass storefront systems, architectural metals, and glazing supplies and tools.

“We consider our global strategy to be very important to the future of this company,” Friese adds. “This year has been one of tremendous growth for CRL as we continue to make substantial investments in facilities in both the UK and Germany. After the acquisition of Ebor Group Holdings, Ltd. (Ebor) in Manchester, England, we immediately began construction on a 71,000-square-foot facility, in Rochdale. We believe that the expansion of these facilities will make CRL one of the best suppliers to the glazing industry in Europe with over 137,000 square feet of floor space dedicated to distribution of our extensive line of products.”

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