Reports on some recent and upcoming investment collected from the local business media:

  • Steel:  Mexico’s steel manufacturing industry chamber of commerce Canacero projected investments of US$10 billion over the next five years to significantly boost production in the sector.  Canacero estimates production will increase 13.5% this year over 2009, when output dropped significantly.
  • Airports: The Mexican Ministry of Transport (SCT) announced plans for three new airports to be constructed in 2010, with investment of US$36 million.  The local airport developments are planned for La Pesca in the northeast and the tourist sites Creel in the north and Palenque in the south.
  • Transport: Inter-city bus operator Grupo IAMSA reported it plans to add 300 new luxury buses to its fleet this year.  The US$100 million investment is slated to go primarily to Volvo for the new buses.
  • Aerospace: French aerospace manufacturer Grupo Safran inaugurated two new plants in an aerospace park in the central state of Queretaro, site one of Mexico’s leading aerospace clusters.  The approximately US$150 million investment set up plants for Safran’s affiliates Messier-Dowty and Snecma to produce jet engine parts and undercarriages.
  • Solar power: BP Solar, the solar technology subsidiary of Great Britain-based energy giant BP, announced plans to subcontract the assembly of solar modules with Jabil Circuit in Chihuahua, northern Mexico.  Plans call for producing modules with a combined capacity of 45 MW, with the possibility for expansion as demand dictates.
  • Retail: Mexican low-priced department store chain Coppel announced aggressive expansion plans, including forays into the Brizilian and Argentinian markets.  The program includes investment of approximately US$120 million and the opening of 100 new stores, principally in southern Mexico.
  • Automotive: Japanese automaker Nissan announced it will begin producing its new model of the Micra compact automobile at the company’s plant in Auguascalientes, Mexico.
  • Food processing: Mexican processed dairy products maker Chilchota reported plans to return to the retail milk market, which it had exited in 2000.  Chilchota will invest US$10 million to launch milk presentations for supermarket sale, despite heavy competition from market leaders Lala, Nestle and Alpura.
  • Real estate: Spanish real estate developer Grupo Lar announced plans to reactivate stalled projects and launch new developments in Mexico in 2010.  The company will invest some US$40 million, principally in residential developments.
  • Rail transport: Mexican railroad operator Ferrocarril del Valle de México (Ferrovalle) announced plans to invest approximately US$12 million this year in infrastructure and equipment upgrades.  The company is projecting an increase in container freight in 2010.
  • Retail: Leading Mexican retailer Soriana revealed plans to invest US$200 million to open 42 stores under its new “Soriana Express” format.  The new format targets middle and lower middle class consumers in locations with populations of under 50,000.
  • Retail: Leading office supplies retailer Office Depot announced US$60 million in upcoming investment, including the opening of 10 new stores in Mexico.  The chain opened seven stores in Mexico in 2009 despite the extremely depressed economy.
  • Water management: The Mexican government announced upcoming tenders for water management infrastructure projects worth an estimated US$2.6 billion.  The government is seeking foreign investment for the projects which include aqueducts, water treatment facilities and desalinization plants, among others.
  • Aviation: Mexican domestic airline Interjet announced plans to invest US$50 million to expand its MRO facilities at its base at the Toluca airport.  Since launching passenger service in December 2005, Interjet has grown to become Mexico’s fourth largest airline.  Interjet provides aircraft maintenance services to airplane leasing companies.
  • Medical: Centro Medico ABC, one of Mexico´s leading private hospitals, will construct a new Neurosciences and Orthopedics Center in the upscale Santa Fe zone of Mexico City.  The announced US$16 million in investment in the project will include design services and acquisition of advanced technology clinical equipment, among other outlays.
  • Industrial gas: U.S. industrial gases producer Praxair announced planned investment in Mexico of US$150 million in 2010.  Projects include a new air separation plant in Monterrey and upgrades to plants in the states of Hidalgo, Queretaro and Tamaulipas.
  • Aerospace: Mexican industrial group Grupo Kuo, best known for its Herdez brand of processed foods, has announced it will enter the aerospace manufacturing industry this year.  The group, which also manufactures chemicals and autoparts, is in the process of obtaining SAE AS 9100B certification and hopes to begin manufacturing landing gear components by the end of this year.
  • Logistics: The Queretaro Intermodal Terminal is projecting investment of up to US$100 million this year for expansion of land area and infrastructure.  The planned upgrades include construction of a new terminal for handling refrigerated cargo.