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Recent and upcoming investment in Mexico

May 2

Posted by Tom in Investment, Manufacturing | No Comments

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Information collected from media reports over the past month:

  • Hotels: U.S. luxury resort developer AM Resorts plans investment of approximately US$500 million in Mexico over the next three years, the company reported.  Locations for new developments under the company’s brands, which include Secrets, Dreams, Now and Sunscape, include Los Cabos and the Riviera Maya beaches of Akumal and Playa Mujeres. (Reforma, April 1, 2013)
  • Airports: Mexican airport operator Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP) will invest US$40 million to upgrade its international airport in the western city of Guadalajara.  Projects include expansion of capacity to receive international flights and two new departure gates, the company reported. (Reforma, April 1, 2013)
  • Beverage: Mexican beverage bottler Arca Continental, the world’s third largest bottler of Coca Cola, plans investment of approximately US$340 million this year.  Resources will be dedicated to maintenance and upgrades of bottling plants, and may include acquisitions abroad in the beverage and snack sector, the company reported. (Mexican Business Web, April 19, 2013)
  • Aviation: Mexican airlines plan investment of approximately US$20 billion to purchase up to 250 new aircraft, the National Air Transport Chamber (Canaero) reported.  Aeromexico plans purchases from Boeing, Interjet projects buys from Airbus and Sukhoi, and airlines Volaris, VivaAerobus and others also plan acquisitions, Canaero reported. (El Financiero, April 1, 2013)
  • Electrical: French electrical engineering multinational Schneider Electric will invest US$80 million in Mexico this year, the company reported.  Projects include completion of a research center in Monterrey as well as work on plants and clean energy projects for state-owned oil monopoly Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex). (Reforma, April 8, 2013) Read the rest of this entry »

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Recent and upcoming investment in Mexico

Apr 3

Posted by Tom in Energy, Investment, Manufacturing | No Comments

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Information collected from media reports over the past month:

  • Beverage: Mexican beverage producer Organización Cultiba, exclusive bottler for PepsiCo in Mexico, plans investment of approximately US$157 million in Mexico operations this year.  Resources will be channelled into bottling and distribution operations as well as sugar cane production, the company reported.  (Mexican Business Web, March 6, 2013)
  • Telecommunications: Swedish telecommunications giant Ericsson opened a new Global Service Center in the central state of Queretaro.  The US$13 million center is one of four such sites worldwide, and will provide planning, design, implementation and support services to customers in the Americas and Europe , according to the company’s announcement. (TMC News, Ericsson, February 27, 2013)
  • Automotive: German auto parts manufacturer Hella will open a new production plant in the central state of Guanajuato this year, the company announced.  The US$100 million project is planned to produce headlamps and rear combination lamps for automotive OEMs in the region. (ProMexico, March 5, 2013)
  • Financial services: Spanish-owned bank Bancomer will invest approximately US$3.5 billion over the next four years to expand and upgrade operations in Mexico, the company announced.  Plans include renovating all retail branches in in the country,  upgrading technology platforms for data processing and completing construction of two new operations centers and a corporate office complex in the Mexico City area. (CNN Expansión, March 21, 2013)
  • Solar energy: Spanish solar energy developer Isofoton has signed an agreement with the government of the southeastern state of Yucatan to design and build a photovoltaic energy generation site in the state.  The US$360 million facility, planned to begin construction in 2014, is projected to produce 150MW once completed. (NAFTA Works, March 2013) Read the rest of this entry »

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Recent and upcoming investment in Mexico

Mar 4

Posted by Tom in Energy, Investment, Manufacturing | No Comments

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Information collected from media reports over the past month:

  • Automotive: Japanese bearings maker NSK will invest approximately US$70 million to construct a new manufacturing plant in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato, the company announced.  The new facility, to begin production in 2014, is planned to supply the regional automotive industry in the face of rising demand from the NAFTA zone auto market.  (Reforma, February 5, 2013)
  • Animal feed: MaltaCleyton, subsidiary of French animal feed maker InVivo, opened a new pet food production plant in the southern state of Morelos.  The US$18 million facility, the company’s tenth in Mexico, will require corn, wheat, sorghum, vitamins, fat, chicken meal and meat, the company reported. (El Financiero, February 21, 2013)
  • Biotechnology: Mexico’s CIMMYT Maize and Wheat Improvement Center inaugurated a US$25 million advanced bioscience research center in the central State of Mexico.  The foundations of magnates Bill Gates and Carlos Slim contributed to the project, which will conduct research in support of seed improvement. (CIMMYT, February 13, 2013)
  • Transportation: The Mexican government plans to issue tenders this year for construction of two major new passenger rail lines at a total estimated cost of approximately US$3.2 billion, the Transport Ministry (SCT) announced.  The lines would run from Mexico City to the central industrial city of Queretaro and from the Yucatan state capital of Merida to the Riviera Maya region on the Caribbean coast. (El Financiero, January 29, 2013)
  • Retail: Coffee shop chain Cielito Querido Cafe, owned by Mexican inter-city passenger bus operator ADO, will invest approximately US$8 million this year to expand operations.  Plans include the opening of 24 new sales locations in the Mexico City metropolitan area. (El Financiero, February 18, 2013)
  • Solar power: Mexican solar panel maker Solartec is investing approximately US$63 million to bring equipment and technology from Belgium to Mexico to produce photovoltaic panels in the central state of Guanajuato.  Outlays will cover purchasing the assets of Belgian manufacturer Photovoltech and relocating them in Mexico to create a new firm to be called Solarcell. (Milenio, February 21, 2013) Read the rest of this entry »

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Media goes ga ga for bright future in Mexico

Feb 18

Posted by Tom in Economy, Investment, Manufacturing | No Comments

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Lookin' good

Lookin' good

As we have crabbed before in this space, for the longest time it seemed like all you ever saw in the press about Mexico was nasty news about drug trafficking violence.  But at some point in 2012, it was like a new memo went out (and maybe one did), and all of a sudden stories started popping up about Mexico’s economic progress, bright future, and flashy manufacturing industries.  It’s not like our problems have gone away – they certainly have not – but it is nice to see something more positive in the media for once.  After a while we started collecting these stories to enjoy time and time again, so we thought we’d share them so that you can enjoy them as much as we have.

Go on, have a look.  Let’s savor our spell in the golden light of favor while it lasts: Read the rest of this entry »

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Recent and upcoming investment in Mexico

Jan 31

Posted by Tom in Energy, Investment, Manufacturing | No Comments

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Information collected from media reports over the past month:

  • Wind power: Japanese investment group Mitsui & Co. announced plans to take a 50% ownership stake in the Mexican wind power generation facility Bii Stinu, currently under construction by a subsidiary of French energy developer EDF Energies Nouvelles.  Mitsui specified the total cost of the project at approximately US$400 million.  (Mitsui & Co., January 9, 2013)
  • Construction: Mexican industrial real estate developer Vesta plans to invest approximately US$90 million to construct industrial buildings for Nissan at the Japanese auto maker’s new production site in the western state of Aguascalientes, the company reported.  (Mexican Business Web, January 14, 2013)
  • Retail: Mexican grocery and general merchandise retailer Grupo Chedraui plans investment of approximately US$185 million in Mexico operations this year, the company revealed.  Projects include the opening of 20 new stores in the country. (Mexican Business Web, January 14, 2013)
  • Health care: Mexican private hospital operator Grupo Star Médica opened a new hospital in the central state of Queretaro, built at a cost of approximately US$47 million.  The facility includes state-of-the-art technology in areas such as medical imaging and obstetrics and gynecology, among others.  Star Médica currently has three other new hospitals under construction. (El Financiero, January 14, 2013)
  • Automotive: German auto maker Volkswagen inaugurated a new production plant in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato following investment of US$500 million.  The plant becomes the company’s 100th factory worldwide and is projected to produce 330,000 motors annually. (El Economista, January 16, 2013) Read the rest of this entry »

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Mexichem and Pemex to launch PVC joint venture

Jan 21

Posted by Tom in Investment, Manufacturing | No Comments

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Resistance is futile

Resistance is futile

Mexico’s state-owned oil and gas monopoly Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) announced recently that it’s board of directors finally approved a proposed joint venture with Mexican chemicals and plastics giant Mexichem to produce vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), a key component for the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride plastic, commonly known as PVC.

The long-suffering proposal first required approval by Mexico’s Federal Competition Commission (CFC), which it obtained over a year ago, and then was stalled for months as the national oil workers union picked over the details undecided.  Mexichem began making noises about bagging the project late last year, apparently prodding the union to get off the schneid and clear the way for approval by the board.  The actual venture is reportedly planned as a collaboration between Mexichem and Pemex petrochemical subsidiary Pemex Petroquímica.  Under the terms of the deal reported in local media, Pemex will contribute US$235 million worth of production infrastructure at its Pajaritos, Veracruz petrochemical complex, and Mexichem will provide approximately US$320 million worth of cash and assets to bring the new plant into operation.  The new company is planned to be formally constituted this year. Read the rest of this entry »

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Recent and upcoming investment in Mexico

Jan 2

Posted by Tom in Investment, Manufacturing | No Comments

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Information collected from media reports over the past month:

  • Healthcare: Mexican hospital operator Grupo Médica Sur will build a major new medical complex in Mexico City, the company announced.  The project is planned to include a hospital, research center, university, hotel, offices, apartments and retail space.  US$70 million in investment is estimated for the first phase of construction.  (Reforma, November 29, 2012)
  • Franchising: U.S. restaurant chain Chili’s Grill & Bar plans investment of US$12 million in Mexico operations next year.  The company plans to open 12 new locations through its Mexican franchise operators. (El Financiero, November 29, 2012)
  • Aerospace: Italian aeronautical welding specialists OVS Villella revealed plans to establish a production plant in Mexico by 2014.  The company will partner with Mexican metal process supplier EZI Metales on the US$14 million investment. (El Financiero, November 29, 2012)
  • Pharmaceutical: Swiss pharmaceutical manufacturer Novartis plans investment totaling US$10 million in Mexico in 2013, the company reported.  Resources will support research and development principally in immunology, oncology and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). (Milenio, December 6, 2012)
  • Automotive: Japanese automotive components manufacturer GSW manufacturing initiated construction on a new production plant in the central state of Guanajuato.  The US$2.15 million facility is planned to produce wiring harnesses for vehicles beginning in 2013. (El Financiero, November 29, 2012) Read the rest of this entry »

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Recent and upcoming investment in Mexico

Dec 3

Posted by Tom in Energy, Investment, Manufacturing | No Comments

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Information collected from media reports over the past month:

  • Pharmaceutical: Mexican pharmaceutical group Neolpharma inaugurated a new production plant in Mexico City, the company reported.  The US$20 million facility will produce oral and intravenous solutions as well as providing bottling services to other pharmaceutical manufacturers in the area. (Reforma, October 30, 2012)
  • Wind energy: Mexican multinational baking giant Grupo Bimbo inaugurated a new wind power generation plant in the southern state of Oaxaca.  The US$200 million facility boasts installed capacity of 90 Mw and was built by the Mexican subsidiary of Spain’s Renovalia Energy. (CNN Expansión, October 31, 2012)
  • Real estate: The Riviera Nayarit region of Mexico’s Pacific coast has approximately US$160 million worth of new hotel development either underway or projected, the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Office reported.  Projects include new hotels for chains such as Iberostar, Occidental Grand and Palladium in locations such as Nuevo Vallarta, Bahía Banderas and Litubú. (Mexican Business Web, November 5, 2012)
  • Solar energy: Mexican airport operator Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte (OMA) inaugurated a solar power generating park on the site of its international airport in the northern city of Zacatecas.  The US$1 million installation is projected to supply the airport with 370,000 Kw/h per year, according to OMA. (Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte, November 1, 2012)
  • Automotive: U.S. auto components manufacturer Johnson Controls will establish a new manufacturing operation in the central state of Queretaro via investment of US$15 million, the state government announced.  (Mexican Business Web, November 7, 2012) Read the rest of this entry »

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Recent and upcoming investment in Mexico

Nov 2

Posted by Tom in Investment, Manufacturing | No Comments

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Information collected from media reports over the past month:

  • Real estate: Mexican commercial real estate developer Grupo Gigante is preparing investment in new developments in excess of US$800 million, the company reported.  The new developments include two shopping malls in Guadalajara and two housing developments in Mexico City, among others. (Reforma, October 2, 2012)
  • Automotive: Mexican auto parts manufacturer Nemak revealed investment of approximately US$230 million this year in new plants, expansions and other infrastructure.  The company reported that strong demand from Audi and Ford is driving growth in its operations in Mexico and China. (Reforma, October 2, 2012)
  • Retail: U.S. grocery and general merchandise retailer H.E.B. reported it plans to invest approximately US$60 million to open 4-5 new stores in northeastern Mexico next year.  Resources will also be channeled into remodeling existing retail locations. (Reforma, October 4, 2012)
  • Electronics: U.S. electronics manufacturer Plantronics plans investment of up to US$50 million to consolidate its operations in the northern city of Tijuana.  The manufacturer of communications headsets plans to move design and production activities into a new, solar-powered corporate center in the border city. (El Financiero, October 10, 2012)
  • Mining: Operations got underway at the first manganese mine in the northern state of Zacatecas, following a joint investment by Mexican and Chinese investors.  Capital to initiate exploitation of the manganese deposits was provided by Chinese investors identified as China Yunnan Metal Company.  Production is intended for export to China. (El Financiero, October 9, 2012)
  • Solar energy: Swiss power and automation technology giant ABB opened a solar power generation park in the central state of San Luís Potosí.  The plant is planned to have a generation capacity of 1.2 MW and required investment estimated at approximately US3.6 million. (Greentech Lead, October 5, 2012) Read the rest of this entry »

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Recent and upcoming investment in Mexico

Sep 5

Posted by Tom in Energy, Investment, Manufacturing | No Comments

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Information collected from media reports over the past month:

  • Wind energy: Mexican hydroelectric developer Comexhidro and U.S. investment firm Conduit Capital Partners will team up to develop a 22 Mw wind generation facility in the northeastern Mexican state of Nuevo León.  The plant is planned to use eight General Electric turbines and provide electricity for public lighting in the municipality of Santa Catarina. (El Financiero, July 27, 2012)
  • Automotive: Korean auto maker Hyundai Motors began construction on a new manufacturing plant in the northern city of Tijuana, on the Mexican border with California.  The US$131 million facility is planned to produce die cast aluminum parts such as engine blocks, heads and transmission cases. (El Economista, August 28, 2012)
  • Research & Development: U.S. corporate group 3M inaugurated a new Innovation Center in Mexico City’s Santa Fe business district.  The center, part of planned 3M investments totaling US$184 million over the next five years, will carry out research and product development in areas such as nanotechnology, specialized materials, biotechnology and electromechanics, the company reported.  (Reforma, August 28, 2012)
  • Chemicals: U.S. mixer of custom rubber compounds Preferred Compounding has entered the Mexican market via the acquisition of a 66,000 square foot production facility in the central state of San Luís Potosi, the company announced.  The fully functioning facility will provide custom compounds to customers in industries such as automotive, construction, power generation and roll goods. (Preferred Compounding, July 2012)
  • Automotive: U.S. auto maker General Motors announced it will invest US$120 million in its manufacturing plant in the central state of San Luís Potosí to produce its new Chevrolet Trax SUV crossover model, to be unveiled later this year at the Paris Motor Show.  Another US$200 million will be channeled into the GM plant in Guanajuato state to develop and produce a new generation of pickups in 2013, the company revealed. (Reuters, July 19, 2012) Read the rest of this entry »

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