Posts Tagged Mining

Recent and upcoming investment in Mexico

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

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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Recent and upcoming investment

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 »

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Recent and upcoming investment

Information collected from media reports over the past month:

  • Telecommunications: Finland-based telecommunications technology provider Nokia Siemens Networks inaugurated a new Service Delivery Center in Mexico City.  The US$2.4 million facility will provide design, planning, optimization and assurance support for telecommunications networks in Latin America, according to the company. (Nokia Siemens Networks, December 7, 2011)
  • Metals: U.S.-based metals processor Ryerson Inc. recently opened a new processing center in the northwestern city of Tijuana.  The facility will provide services such as cutting, slitting and laser burning for the area’s large maquiladora and manufacturing industries. (Made in Mexico, Inc., November 7, 2011)
  • Aviation: Mexican airline VivaAerobus announced plans to invest US$20 – 25 million in 2012 for the acquisition of five to seven new aircraft.  The company has registered strong growth since its launch in 2006. (Mexican Business Web, December 3, 2011)
  • Mining: Canadian mining firm Excalibur Resources announced that it will proceed to develop a major gold and silver production facility at its Catanava mining property in Zacatecas, Mexico, following approval of permits by the Mexican government.  Plans for the development include the construction of office and warehouse space as well as crushing, milling, conveyance and laboratory installations. (Canadian Mining Journal, November 25, 2011)
  • Retail: U.S.-based electronics retailer Best Buy announced plans to double the number of its sales locations in Mexico next year.  Best Buy, which entered the Mexican market in 2008, plans to expand from eight to 16 stores in Mexico in 2012. (Reforma, November 29, 2011) Read the rest of this entry »

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Industries that had a good year in 2011

IndustryAs another year comes to a close we can’t help feeling some frustration that the economy just doesn’t seem to want to take off, both around the world and here in Mexico.  Between the Eurozone debt crisis and stubborn unemployment in the United States, among other topics, we’ve got plenty to keep us fretting for the foreseeable future.  But since the holidays are upon us and presumably it’s a time for good cheer, here are some of the talking points we’ll have in our pocket as we hit the punch bowl hard in the coming days:

GDP growth: Banco de México and Banamex are projecting final 2011 GDP growth in the range of 3.8%.  OK we’re not talking China numbers here but compared to 2009’s -6.1 we’ll take it.

Hot industries: While most sectors of the economy are merely shuffling along, certain industries are getting, or remaining, seriously hot.  The big star this past year was automotive manufacturing, which after suffering a rough patch during the recession has roared back, with production and exports well up over 2010 and a number of significant new investments announced.  Aerospace manufacturing also continued its unchecked expansion, with new international investments announced and exports projected to post double-digit growth for the year.  Outside of manufacturing, mining surged this year, led by demand for gold, silver, copper and industrial minerals, and is on track to exceed 2010’s record setting production value for the year. Read the rest of this entry »

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Gold puts gleam in Mexican mining industry

Buried treasure

Buried treasure

Despite a mopey world economy that just can’t seem to snap out of it, Mexico’s mining industry looks to be headed for another banner year in 2011.  The Mexican Mining Chamber (Camimex) reported a record high of US$13.9 billion in production value for 2010, leading the sector to outstrip tourism among the country’s leading industries.  The current year is expected to exceed last year’s performance, with growth through the first half set at over 17% and still on pace through August, according to the National Statistics Institute (INEGI).  High demand for precious metals and certain industrial minerals has in turn led to a flurry of investment that should keep production strong for the foreseeable future.  Camimex is projecting total mining sector investment of US$4.7 billion for 2011, which would represent a healthy 42% increase from 2010 levels. Read the rest of this entry »

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Recent and upcoming investment

Information collected from media reports over the past month:

  • Automotive: German auto parts manufacturer Robert Bosch projected investment in its Mexico operations at US$78 million for 2011.  The resources are earmarked to support introduction of new technologies and preparation for the manufacture of new brake pad and battery products at the company’s 13 Mexico production locations. (El Informador, September 29, 2011)
  • Aerospace: Canadian aircraft maker Bombardier announced it will invest US$50 million to outfit its Queretaro plant to produce the aft fuselage for its new generation of long range business jets.  Mexico is now producing major composite structures for the company’s Learjet 85, such as fuselage lay-up and subsystem installation, wiring harness fabrication and installation, wing assembly and horizontal and vertical stabilizer assemblies. (The Montreal Gazette, October 25, 2011)
  • Recycling: Germany-based industrial services firm Ferrostaal AG announced plans to build a tire recycling plant in Mexico.  The facility will convert used vehicle tires into rubber granules for potential use in the manufacture of sports and recreation surfaces, soundproofing insulation or water hoses, among other uses.  The amount of investment in the new plant was not specified. (Ferrostaal, September 26, 2011)
  • Mining: Minera Autlán, subsidiary of Mexican mining group Grupo Ferrominero (GFM), is projecting investment in its Mexico mining operations of up to US$300 million over the next five years.  GFM’s energy subsidiary GFM Energía also plans to build three hydroelectric plants and one wind power generating plant in the coming years. (Reforma, October 6, 2011)
  • Steel: U.S.-based Steel Technologies announced plans to build a new steel processing facility in the northeastern state of Nuevo León.  The US$78 million plant is planned to provide steel cutting and surface treatment services for the region’s thriving automotive industry. (NAFTA Works, October 2011) Read the rest of this entry »

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Recent and upcoming investment in Mexico

Information collected from media reports over the past month:

  • Retail: USA-based apparel marketer Warnaco revealed plans to open approximately 30 new stores in Mexico over the next two years.  Mexico sales were up by 39% through the first half of 2011 for the marketer of brands such as Calvin Klein and Speedo. (Reforma, August 25, 2011)
  • Logistics: Mexican cargo terminal operator Ferrovalle Intermodal announced a US$10 million expansion to its rail cargo handling facilities in Mexico City to be carried out this year.  The addition of 25 developed acres to the terminal will increase annual handling capacity to over 550,000 containers and speed last-mile deliveries. (Reforma, August 1, 2011)
  • Entertainment: Mexico City’s largest film studio, Estudios Churubusco, will expand with the construction of a new post-production building.  The investment of approximately US$20 million will include over 30,000 square feet of digital laboratory space, production warehousing and offices. (Reforma, September 6, 2011)
  • Infrastructure: Spanish infrastructure developer OHL Group, through its environmental subsidiary Inima, will build and operate a large-scale desalination plant in the northern Mexican state of Baja California.  The US$41 million facility is planned to produce 275 million cubic feet of potable water annually. (Reforma, September 7, 2011)
  • Energy: Spanish renewable energy developer Siliken will invest US$20 million initially to build and launch a 100 MW solar power plant in the northern state of Durango.  The project is planned to include a research and development center in addition to generating electricity. (Milenio, September 8, 2011)
  • Autoparts: Japanese industrial automation manufacturer Omron Corporation will invest US$30 million to build a new production plant in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato.   The facility will join recently announced new factories to be built by Honda and Mazda in Guanajuato’s growing automotive industry. (El Sol de Irapuato, August 27, 2011)
  • Biotechnology: Mexican agricultural biotechnology laboratory Biosustenta inaugurated a new plant to produce biofertilizers in the western state of Michoacán.  The US$1.3 million facility will use mycorrhizal fungi and other bacterias to produce the fertilizers.  Biosustenta currently exports product to the United States, Canada and Europe. (El Financiero, August 30, 2011) Read the rest of this entry »

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Recent and upcoming investment

  • Agribusiness: Mexican agricultural services provider Phytosan inaugurated a new phytosanitary radiation plant in the northeastern state of San Luis Potosi following investment of US$12 million.  The facility, the only one of its kind in Mexico, will be used to treat fruits and vegetables for export to the United States.
  • Automotive: Japanese automaker Honda plans to invest US$800 million to build a new manufacturing plant in the central state of Guanajuato.  The new factory, planned to begin production by 2014, will produce energy-efficient subcompact autos. Honda currently operates an automobile factory in the western state of Jalisco.
  • Hospitality: U.S.-based hotelier La Quinta Inns & Suites announced plans to invest US$60 million to expand operations in Mexico over the next three years.  Projects are expected to include new hotels in business hubs such as Mexico City, Ciudad Juarez, Reynosa and San Luís Potosí, among other locations.
  • Automotive: Japanese automaker Honda will reactive investment plans at its manufacturing plant in the western state of Jalisco.  US$60 million in resources are earmarked to install equipment and technology needed to produce the company’s next model CR-V recreational vehicle.
  • Automotive: U.S. auto parts maker TRW Automotive announced it will invest US$50 million to install a new manufacturing plant in the central Mexican state of Queretaro.  The new facility reportedly will produce anti-lock braking systems to supply Volkswagen Brazil.
  • Mining: Mexican corporate group GFM has formed a joint venture between its heavy equipment subsidiary GFM Maquinaria and Singapore-based Singapore Technologies Kinetics to market mining equipment under the brand TRXBUILD.  The association plans to build a factory to produce equipment such as backhoes, tractors and off-road trucks in Mexico within five years through projected investment of US$20 million. Read the rest of this entry »

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Recent and upcoming investment

  • Automotive: U.S. auto maker General Motors announced US$900 million in additional investment in Mexico in the coming years.  The resources are planned to expand production capabilities at various of the company’s plants in the country.
  • Manufacturing: British-Dutch consumer goods giant Unilever inaugurated a new manufacturing plant in the state of Morelos, near Mexico City.  The US$84 million facility will produce personal care products for the brands Axe, Dove and Rexona.
  • Tourism: Mexican hotel operator Grupo Posadas will invest US$140 million this year in new hotel projects in Mexico.  With tourism showing signs of recovery after the long economic downturn, Posadas’ Mexican investment is part of a total US$400 million projected by the company for new projects throughout Latin America.
  • Wind power: The Mexican subsidiary of U.S.-based Cannon Power Group revealed plans to invest US$2.5 billion to develop three new wind farms in Mexico.  The newly created Mexico Power group plans generating plants with combined capacity over 300 MW for the states of Baja California, Zacatecas and Quintana Roo.
  • Metals: Chilean metals processor Molymet will invest US$135 million to build a new production plant in Sonora, Mexico.  The new plant will add to the company’s existing molybdenum processing infrastructure in the state.
  • Food processing: Leading Mexican meat processor SuKarne will invest US$270 million to build a large production facility in the north eastern state of Nuevo Leon.  The project is planned to include livestock raising facilities, a feed plant, a federally certified slaughterhouse, a packing plant, a distribution center and a rail shipping link. Read the rest of this entry »

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