Tramontina expanding cookware production at former Mirro plant

The Business Journal of Milwaukee

Tramontina USA said Thursday that it plans to add a third shift and hire about 80 new employees in Manitowoc, where it produces high-end cookware in the former Mirro plant.

Tramontina USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Brazilian cookware manufacturer Tramontina Group, is boosting production because of plans to add a new cookware line early this summer and the placement of many of its U.S.-made products with major national retailers, said Antonio Galafassi, president and CEO of Tramontina USA, which is based in Sugar Land, Texas.

"Consumers appreciate high-quality U.S.-made products, plus we have a 'green' advantage," Galafassi said in a press release. "Domestic production shortens lead times and minimizes transportation, which reduces fuel consumption and the need for other resources."

Tramontina opened its Manitowoc factory in 2005, where annual production began at 6 million pieces of cookware and is now projected to be more than 10 million for 2008, the company said. The plant now has about 145 employees, spokeswoman Sarah Sims said. Tramontina USA's plant in Sugar Land, Texas, has 484 employees.

Mirro had about 880 employees at the plant when it was shut down in 2003.

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