Finland's Luvata Group officially opened its first copper tube and pipe production facility in Mexico Tuesday.

The plant, which brings Luvata's patented cast and roll production process to the Americas, will manufacture copper tube for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) industry.

"Now is probably the best time to open the facility," said Ron Beal, executive vice president of Luvata's Tubes Business unit. While the HVACR market is down and production volumes are light, "it gives us the opportunity to establish our position in the marketplace, develop our system and process, and train...