Karsten opens first manufacturing unit outside Brazil in Paraguay

Karsten, a company participating in Texbrasil (the Internationalization Program of the Brazilian Textile and Fashion Industry), a partnership between Abit (the Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association) and ApexBrasil (the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency), has inaugurated its first factory outside Brazil, located in Minga Guazú, in eastern Paraguay. The inauguration ceremony, held on March 26, brought together company leaders as well as local and international authorities, highlighting the importance of the move for the company’s strategy and for regional development.

Representing Karsten were CEO Márcio L. Bertoldi; Operations Director Adilson Kraeft; Paraguay Industrial Manager Rodrigo Prade; Industrial Director Evandro Burgel; People and Management Director Rosângela Schneider; and board member João Karsten Neto. Also in attendance were Paraguay’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Marcos Riquelme; the president of the National Electricity Administration (ANDE), Félix Sosa; and the Honorary Consul of Slovakia, Charif Hammoud.

According to Karsten, the decision to establish the unit in Paraguay follows a strategic guideline of the company, supported by a stable economic environment, competitive conditions for manufacturing, and a relevant logistical position in the region. The company states that the new operation was designed to strengthen Karsten’s production base, expand manufacturing capacity—especially in the bath category—and add industrial flexibility, in synergy with its well-established operations in Brazil.

With operations beginning in March, the unit was designed initially to serve the Brazilian market, with the potential for gradual expansion as demand evolves and new markets open.