Posts Tagged Manufacturing

Media goes ga ga for bright future in Mexico

Feb 18

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

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 »

Tags: Competitiveness, Economy, GDP, Investment, Manufacturing, Nafta, outlook

Recent and upcoming investment in Mexico

Dec 3

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

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 »

Tags: automotive, aviation, coatings, Manufacturing, pharmaceutical, ports, Real estate, Retail, solar energy, wind energy

Recent and upcoming investment in Mexico

Oct 1

Posted by Tom in Economy, Investment, Politics | 3 Comments

Information collected from media reports over the past month:

Manufacturing: Spanish appliance manufacturer Fagor will invest US$3.5 million to expand capacity at its production plant in the central state of San Luís Potosí. The project is aimed at boosting output of products such as refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens and other kitchen equipment. (Mexican Business Web, August 27, 2012)
Logistics: Mexican rail operator Ferrocarril Mexicano (Ferromex) plans investment of approximately US$2.3 billion over the next five years to upgrade infrastructure to meet projected growth in demand for rail service. Resources will be used to expand and improve track and freight terminals to handle expected demand growth from the automotive and mining sectors. (El Economista, August 26, 2012)
Building materials: U.S. ceramic flooring manufacturer Daltile opened a new production facility in the central state of Guanajuato. The US$65 million site becomes the company’s eighth manufacturing location in the country. (El Economista, September 4, 2012)
Security: Brink’s Panamericano de México, Mexican affiliate of U.S. secure transport firm Brink’s, is projecting investment of US$30 million over the next three years for upgrades and expansion. Plans include upgraded armored trucks and equipment, technology enhancements and training for personnel. (Mexican Business Web, September 7, 2012)
Electronics: U.S. contract manufacturer Sigmatron inaugurated a new production facility in the northern state of Tijuana. The US$2 million plant will produce electronic components for the medical, automotive and electronics industries. (Periódico Industrial Siglo XXI, September 11, 2012) Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: airlines, Airports, automotive, aviation, construction, Electronics, Logistics, Manufacturing, security, solar energy, Steel

Recent and upcoming investment in Mexico

Sep 5

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

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 »

Tags: 3M, automotive, aviation, chemicals, Food processing, Logistics, Manufacturing, Mining, Tourism, wind energy

Recent and upcoming investment in Mexico

Jul 3

Posted by Tom in Investment, Manufacturing | No Comments

Information collected from media reports over the past month:

Automotive: Japanese auto parts maker Yachiyo began construction of a new manufacturing plant in the central state of Guanajuato. The US$20 million facility is planned to produce to manufacture fuel tanks, sunroofs, sheet-metal parts and plastic parts for a new Honda auto plant also under construction in the state. (El Economista, May 30, 2012)
Manufacturing: U.S. Corporate group 3M will open a new research and development center in the northeastern Mexican state of San Luís Potosí, the state government announced. The new facility, which will conduct research in support of product development in areas such as bioscience, energy, lighting, chemicals, automotive and aerospace, is part of US$60 million in planned investments in Mexico by the company. (El Financiero, May 28, 2012)
Transport: U.S. rail carrier Kansas City Southern plans investments worth US$125 million this year in its Mexico rail network. Resources will be put into maintenance and infrastructure in areas such as track, locomotives, railcars and other equipment, the company reported. (El Financiero, May 28, 2012)
Food processing: Mexican multinational flour miller Gruma will invest US$57 million in its Mexico operations this year, the company reported. The resources for the company’s corn and wheat flour production plants will support upgrades in production capacity and advanced processing technologies. (Reforma, June 14, 2012)
Hospitality: U.S. hotel operator Hyatt will be ramping up its presence in Mexico through the recent acquisition of Mexico City’s emblematic Nikko hotel as well as construction of six new hotels in the country, the company reported. In addition to the US$190 million cost of the Nikko, to be renamed Hyatt Regency Mexico City, the company will spend another US$40 million on upgrades to meeting facilities, audio visual technology and Wi-Fi connections. (El Financiero, May 28, 2012) Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: aerospace, Airports, automotive, autoparts, aviation, Food processing, hospitality, Manufacturing, Recycling, Steel, transport

Recent and upcoming investment in Mexico

Jun 1

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

Information collected from media reports over the past month:

Plastics: Mexican chemical and plastics maker Alpek will invest approximately US$2 billion over the next four years in petrochemical infrastructure and electricity generation, the company announced. Mexico’s largest petrochemical group plans to boost output of ethylenglycol and PET plastic, among other projects. (Mexican Business Web, May 9, 2012)
Automotive: U.S. automotive fiber products manufacturer Janesville Acoustics inaugurated a new production facility in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato. The US$4.5 million plant will produce fiber products to manage vehicle acoustic performance for the area’s thriving automotive manufacturing industry. (Automotive Business Review, May 15, 2012)
Retail: Leading Mexican grocery and general merchandise retailer Chedraui will invest approximately US$220 – 260 million this year in expansion and upgrades, the company reported. Resources are earmarked for the opening of 16 new stores and maintenance systems for existing sites. (El Financiero, May 10, 2012)
Automotive: German corrugated pipe manufacturer invested US$3.7 million of a planned US$7 million to begin operations at a new production plant in the central state of Guanajuato. The facility will produce fluid transfer and cable protection systems for automotive and industrial applications. (El Economista, April 25, 2012)
Energy: Mexican grocery and general merchandise retailer Soriana will begin construction this month on a wind energy plant in the northern state of Tamaulipas. The US$100 million generating plant will be built in association with wind energy developer Compañía Eólica de Tamaulipas (CETSA). (Milenio, May 16, 2012) Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: aerospace, automotive, Energy, Investment, Manufacturing, Plastics, Retail, transport

Recent and upcoming investment in Mexico

May 2

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

Information collected from media reports over the past month:

Automotive: German luxury automaker Audi, owned by Volkswagen, will build its first manufacturing plant in Mexico by 2016, the company announced. The assembly facility, planned to produce sport utility vehicles, will cost an estimated US$2 billion. (Bloomberg, April 19, 2012)
Automotive: U.S. auto maker Ford will invest US$1.3 billion to expand capacity at the company’s production facility in the northern Mexico city of Hermosillo. The resources are planned to boost production at the stamping and assembly plant for new Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ models for 2013. (Torque News, April 2, 2012)
Energy: U.S.-based solar technology company SolFocus will lead the development of a major new solar energy generation site in the northern Mexican state of Baja California. The project, to be built in conjunction with Mexican real estate developer Grupo Musa and U.S. contractor Synergy Technologies, is projected to cost over US$1.5 billion and generate 450 Mw. (San Francisco Chronicle, March 29, 2012)
Biofuels: The Veracruz Bioenergies Institute (Inverbio) will invest US$2.3 million this year to produce sweet sorghum, sugar cane, jatropha, yucca and palm oil for use in the development of biofuels. Inverbio is contributing to efforts in Mexico to lower the cost of biofuels for aviation use. (Mexican Business Web, April 9, 2012)
Aviation: Mexican airline startup AeroJal announced it will launch regional passenger service in the west and northwest of Mexico this year. The company will invest US$30 million to begin direct flights from Guadalajara to regional centers in the states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila and Nuevo León. (El Economista, April 16, 2012)
Food processing: Mexican baked goods multinational Grupo Bimbo announced it will undertake record investment of US$780 million this year. The company, which has carried out a series of overseas acquisitions in recent years, plans to expand its production capacity and improve logistics infrastructure in its new markets. (Milenio, April 17, 2012) Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: automotive, aviation, Biofuels, biotechnology, consumer goods, Energy, Food processing, Manufacturing, Retail

Recent and upcoming investment in Mexico

Apr 4

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

Information collected from media reports over the past month:

Retail: Mexico’s leading retailer Walmart de Mexico announced it will invest approximately US$1.5 billion in its Mexico and Central American operations this year. The record investment will be channeled into the opening of over 400 new stores, in addition to technology acquisition and efficiency programs. (El Financiero, February 22, 2012)
Water treatment: Mexican construction company Grupo Carso announced it will invest approximately US$1 billion in the construction of a major water treatment plant at Atotonilco in the central state of Hidalgo. The plant is planned to recycle 60% of waste water in the Valley of Mexico, in which Mexico City is located. (El Financiero, March 7, 2012)
Automotive: Japanese autoparts maker Yorozu plans to invest approximately US$70 million to build a new manufacturing plant in the central state of Guanajuato. The new facility, the company’s second in Mexico, will produce shock absorbers to meet demand from the country’s surging vehicle production. (Businessweek, February 13, 2012)
Food processing: Italian confectioner Ferrero will invest US$190 million to build a new production plant in the central state of Guanajuato. The plant will produce chocolates under the Ferrero Rocher brand in addition to other sweets. (El Economista, February 22, 2012)
Retail: U.S.-based supermarket and general merchandise retailer H-E-B plans to add five new stores in Mexico in 2012, raising the number its sales locations in the country to 44. H-E-B Mexico sales surpassed US$1 billion in 2011. (NAFTA Works, March, 2012)
Energy: The North American Development Bank (NADB) agreed to provide financing for the construction of a wind farm to produce electricity in the northern state of Tamaulipas. The generation plant, to be developed by Compañía Eólica de Tamaulipas, S.A. de C.V. (CETSA), will provide energy for purchase by leading grocery and general merchandise retailer Soriana. (NADB, February 13, 2012) Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: aerospace, automotive, aviation, chemicals, Energy, Food processing, Logistics, Manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, Retail, Water treatment, Wind power

Recent and upcoming investment

Mar 8

Posted by Tom in Investment, Manufacturing | No Comments

Information collected from media reports over the past month:

Food processing: Mexican meat processor SuKarne initiated construction of a new beef processing plant at a total cost of US$110 million. Plans for the facility include the addition of a 70,000-head feedlot in the future. (Meat & poultry, February 24, 2012)
Manufacturing: American medical device manufacturer Welch Allyn inaugurated a major expansion of its Tijuana production plant. The infrastructure upgrade, which required investment of US$7.4 million, will allow the facility to boost production of medical thermometers. (Siglo 21 Periódico Industrial, January 30, 2012)
Pharmaceutical: Mexican pharmaceutical and cosmetics manufacturer Genomma Lab announced it will invest US$23 – 30 million in research and development of new products this year. The fast growing company was founded in 1996 and now exports to over 30 countries. (El Financiero, January 27, 2012)
Hospitality: Mexican hotel operator Hoteles City plans to open 14 new locations in Mexico and one in Costa Rica this year. The chain intends to seek LEED certification for 10 of its units already in operation. (El Financiero, January 30, 2012)
Automotive: Ford Motor Co.’s Mexican subsidiary will invest approximately US$1.5 billion in expansion and upgrades at its manufacturing plant in the northern city of Hermosillo in 2012. Plans include a new diesel motor production facility and an engineering center. (El Financiero, January 30, 2012) Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: automotive, Beverage, chemicals, Food processing, hospitality, Investment, Manufacturing, Mining, pharmaceutical, Poultry, Telecommunications

Recent and upcoming investment

Feb 2

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

Information collected from media reports over the past month:

Aerospace: American aircraft maker Hawker Beechcraft is joining forces with Mexican executive jet operator Aerolineas Executivas to build a new maintenance facility to serve private aircraft in the northeastern city of Monterrey. The US$2.2 million project is planned to provide repair and painting services in the country’s second largest private aviation hub. (El Financiero, January 2, 2012)
Automotive: Japan-based Nissan Motor Co. is preparing plans to build a new automobile factory in Mexico. The new facility will add production capacity to the company’s two existing plants in Mexico which currently have capacity to produce over 700,000 vehicles a year. (Wall Street Journal, January 6, 2012)
Automotive: Japanese automaker Nissan announced it will construct a new vehicle assembly plant in the central state of Aguascalientes at an estimated cost of US$2 billion. The large-scale plan includes a supplier park nearby the new manufacturing facility, which will become Nissan’s third in Mexico. (Autoweek, January 25, 2012)
Aviation: European aerospace manufacturer Airbus announced an order from Mexican airline Volaris for the purchase of 44 new A320Neo and A320 aircraft. The total value of the deal, planned for delivery 2015 – 2020, was estimated at approximately US$4 billion. (AFP, January 12, 2012)
Aviation: U.S.-based aerospace manufacturer Hawker Beechcraft announced the sale of six new T-6C+ training aircraft to the Mexican Air Force, with the possibility of additional future orders. The value of the deal was not specified. (Defense Media Network, January 11, 2012)
Electricity: German electronics and electrical engineering giant Siemans inaugurated a Low Voltage Research and Development Center near the northeastern city of Monterrey. The company invested approximately US$22 million in the new facility, which will help to develop high efficiency electrical systems for Siemens products. (Reforma, January 13, 2012)
Retail: Mexican grocery and general merchandise retailer Soriana announced plans to open 50 new sales locations in the country this year. The company currently operates 558 stores across its five formats. (Reforma, January 16, 2012)
Logistics: The Mexican affiliate of Philippines-based International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has begun construction on a new container handling terminal at the Pacific port of Manzanillo. The new facility will require investment of US$250 million. (Maquila Portal, January 17, 2012) Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: aerospace, automotive, aviation, electricity, Energy, Food processing, Logistics, Manufacturing, Plastics, Retail