US manufacturer of upholstered furniture Richter Designs is to open a 335,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico, in order to meet the strong demand for its products.

Expected to become operational in July, the factory will be five miles away from the company's new cutting facility and distribution centre in Somerton, Arizona. Richter's executive offices and design centre will remain in Los Angeles and, combined, the two new facilities will employ approximately 300 people.

Among the new equipment being purchased for the facility are computerised cutting machines and ergonomically designed sewing machine workstations. The factory will make full use of the company's new Macola information-technology system, which will allow customers to track their orders through delivery.

There will also be separate areas for the production of fabric and leather furniture.

The new plant will triple the company's overall distribution capacity.