National Gypsum Co., based in Charlotte, N.C., announced it has entered a joint venture with Panel Rey S.A. to produce PermaBase brand cement board in Mexico. Panel Rey, based in Monterrey, Mexico, sells PermaBase to over 300 distributors throughout Mexico and Latin America. The new joint venture company will be called PermaBase de Americas, and target Mexico as well as Central and South America.

Craig Robertson, general manager for National Gypsum’s PermaBase business, said his company was “ready to take our partnership with Panel Rey to the next level.” The joint venture plans to open its first plant in Monterrey, Mexico, in the fourth quarter of this year.

“The new plant in Mexico will allow us to streamline the supply chain by reducing freight and eliminating customs fees and duties,” Robertson added.

Nicholas Alverde, CEO of Panel Rey, said the partnership comes at a time of “dramatic growth” for Latin America. “With the expanding economy in Mexico and Latin America, this product is ideally suited to meet our country’s needs for renovation, rebuilding, and new construction,” he added.

National Gypsum currently operates four PermaBase plants in the United States and Canada.