Recent and upcoming investment

Tom — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 22:45:44 +0000

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

Beverage: Mexican beverage giant and retailer FEMSA announced plans for US$750 worth of investment this year. The lion’s share of the funds will go toward upgrades and expansions of bottling plants, while the remainder will support the company’s Oxxo chain of convenience stores.
Automotive: Chinese autoparts maker Minth opened a manufacturing plant in the northern state of Aguascalientes. The plant, representing a total investment of US$16 million, is planned to supply molding and interior components to Nissan, Ford, Chrysler and Fiat plants in Mexico.
Mining: Mining companies operating in Mexico will invest a combined US$13.8 billion through 2012, according to the Mexican Mining Chamber (Camimex). The chamber projected that expansions and upgrades of operations in mining zones will contribute toward improvements in roads, electrification, potable water and other basic infrastructure in the areas.
Automotive: Industry sources reported that Chrysler and Fiat plan to jointly produce a new model of SUV at the companies’ plant in Toluca, State of Mexico. The model would join two other new compact models reported planned by Fiat for production at the Toluca plant.
Automotive: German autoparts manufacturer Continental projected it will invest US$10 – 12 million this year, principally in equipment and software. Continental is anticipating sales growth of 20% in 2010 as the automotive industry recovers from last year’s downturn.
Electronics: Chipmaker Intel announced investment plans in the area of US$200 million over the next three years in support of its Guadalajara operations. Planned projects include expansion of the company’s Design Center, the creation of a children’s technology museum and a center to promote relationships with small and medium sized Mexican firms.
Renewable energy: The Inter-American Development Bank announced financing for four new wind farms for the generation of electricity to begun in 2012. Total investment in the projects is projected at US$5 billion.

Recent and upcoming investment

Tom — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:32:27 +0000

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

Plastics: The Manufacturing Industry Chamber of Nuevo Leon (Caintra) announced an initial US$1 million investment to build the Mexican Institute for Technological Innovation in Plastic and Rubber in the Monterrey area.
Electronics: IBM formally inaugurated new manufacturing installations in Jalisco developed at an estimated cost of US$20 million. The facilities are intended specifically for the production of IBM’s high-end XIV Storage Systems for export to the United States, Europe and other areas.
Toys: Spanish toy manufacturer and retailer Imaginarium announced ambitious plans to expand operations in Mexico with an initial investment of US$1.6 million. The company plans to open over 40 new retail locations in the country by 2013, in addition to potentially manufacturing in Mexico.
Retail: Despite underwhelming economic recovery, Mexico’s top retailer Wal-Mart de Mexico announced plans to invest over US$900 million this year. The plans include the opening of 300 new locations across the company’s various retail formats and the remodeling of existing stores.
Mining: Canadian mining company First MajesticSilver Corp. opened a mineral processing plant in the northern state of Coahuila in late 2009. The US$22 million plant will produce gold and silver.
Healthcare: The Mexican government announced plans to undertake a formal program to promote Mexico as a destination for ‘medical tourism.’ Medical services to foreigners traveling to Mexico for this purpose were valued at an estimated US$122 million in 2009, and the government projects that the promotional campaign will boost the sector to over US$1 billion by 2015.
Retail: Leading grocery and general merchandise retailer Soriana announced investment plans worth US$300 million for 2010. The firm’s expansion program for this year includes construction of 40 new stores.
Automotive: Chrysler de México announced it will begin production of the new model Fiat 500 at the Chrysler’s Toluca, Mexico plant in December. The company reported investment of US$550 million in advance of the new production program.
Retail: DIY retailer Lowe’s finally opened its first two stores in Mexico in February 2010, following investment of US$100 million during an extended preparation process. Lowe’s Mexico operation has plans in the works for three more stores in the medium term.
Research: A US$200 million Research and Technological Innovation Park is set to begin operations in Monterrey by the end of this year. The high technology research center will include sites for high profile companies such as Motorola and PepsiCo, and Mexican industry leaders Sigma Alimentos and Xignux. Research areas will include nanotechnology, advanced materials, biotechnology and software, among others.
Food Processing: Mexican snack foods manufacturer Bokados announced investment plans of approximately US$8 million in 2010 as part of an aggressive market expansion strategy. The plans for this year include opening the company’s third production facility.
Automotive: Chinese light truck maker ZX Auto will begin investing a planned US$100 million this year in the construction of a new manufacturing plant in the north western state of Baja California, according to state officials. Baja California’s automotive manufacturing sector includes approximately 80 companies, including parts makers and maquiladoras.
Paper: Consumer goods giant Kimberly-Clark’s Mexico subsidiary plans to invest US$100 million in plant and process upgrades this year in anticipation of a rebound in demand following a down 2009. The company is projecting 7% sales growth in Mexico this year.

Mexico Business Blog » Mining

Recent and upcoming investment

Recent and upcoming investment