Bulletin 386 - Friday, September 12, 2008

PUEBLA.- In spite of the increase in gas prices, DHL is not planning to adjust its rates. Luis Eraña, General Director said that the Company's strategy will focus on increasing investment and therefore sales volume, to compensate high fuel prices. "To compensate the increase in energy prices, we require vehicles which are fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly, in order to control service costs without affecting consumer". However, he reminded that early this year the Company moved its prices from 3% to 4%, "but no additional increases are expected". With a US$8.2 million investment, this courier service company expanded its domestic fleet to expedite ground transportation services, in addition to becoming stronger before the complex situation arising from high fuel prices. Eraña pointed-out that as of 2004 a US$112 million investment has been made to improve and expand infrastructure, having more productive and fuel-efficient equipment and keeping an approximate growth of 10 points over the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Source: El Universal

Puebla, Pue,- Volkswagen's trucks and buses plant was certified as a "Clean Industry" by the Mexican Environment Protection Agency, Procuraduríi Federal de Proteccion al Ambiente (PROFEPA). The certification was granted after an environment audit process that took place last September 3 and 4 in the Company's facilities. The audit was made by a team including auditors certified by the Mexican Standards Agency, Entidad Mexicana de Acreditacion (EMA), PROFEPA representatives and members of Volkswagen's environment team; who made a field visit and checked documents. The areas evaluated to obtain the certification as "Clean Industry" were: emissions control, dangerous residues handling, non-dangerous residues handling, waste water management, chemicals disposal and control of environment risks. No deviation from current environment standards was found, which provided grounds for the certification granted by PROFEPA as "Clean Industry" to Volkswagen's Trucks and Buses Plant for 2008-2010. This achievement shows Volkswagen's permanent commitment to keep high standards on environment protection and care in all of its operations.

Source: VW

Almost five years after mentioning the possibility to establish in Coahuila, yesterday it was officially announced that BIC will invest US$18 million in Ramos Arizpe, to install a razors packing plant, to supply the US and Canada markets. The investment was announced by Governor Humberto Moreira Valdes and Alejandro Gonzalez Almaraz, General Director for BIC in Mexico, in an event held in Carranza Room of Government Palace, attended by Ramos Arizpe City Mayor, Ricardo Aguirre Gutierrez and the Minister of Economic Foster, Jorge Alanis Canales, in addition to businessmen and other officers from the Ministry. The US$18 million investment, which is the 128th company coming to Coahuila during this Administration, is undoubtedly a significant step to advance towards the diversification so much need by Coahuila's Southeastern Region, and will create 230 jobs, occupying a 5 thousand square meters (53,819 square feet) in Santa Maria Industrial Park; operations are scheduled to start next December 1st.

Source: Vanguardia

Emerson, the company that offers engineering technology and solutions, announced that by 2010 they will have invested more than US$650 million in Mexico. During the inauguration of their corporate offices in Mexico City, it was informed that for 2007-2010 the Company has investment plans for plants' expansion and refurbishing, and to open new offices in Mexico. Emerson is one of the largest employers in the manufacturing sector in Mexico, with 22 thousand direct jobs in more than 50 plants. As a result of their 2007-2010 Investment Program, growth plans in the medium term consider generating between 5 thousand and 7 thousand additional direct jobs, as well as an increase in domestic supplies purchases for around US$500 million per year by 2010. US$26 million were invested to purchase and refurbish the building where the new corporate offices in Mexico City will operate.

Source: La cronica

Ternium's investment is the largest announced this year by a company in Mexico, ahead of the US$3 billion by Ford and the US$3.5 billion by the German company Q-Cells. The plan will generate one thousand 500 direct jobs and 3 thousand 500 indirect jobs when it is in full production and will be located in Pesqueria Municipality, Governor Gonzalez Paras informed. The new project will be developed in two stages; the first will require a US$2.7 billion investment and the second US$1.5 billion more. "Ternium believes that demand in Mexico of flat steel products with value added will enjoy a sustained growth in the medium term, due to new developments in construction and industry", the Company informed. "Mexico is importing 25% of the steel consumed here; the deficit is expected to be eliminated with this plant", the Governor explained; he forecasts Nuevo Leon will become "the largest steel producer in Mexico" with this investment.

Source: Vanguardia

Mexico City,- Hines set off their second fund for eight real estate projects in Mexico, for an. amount close to US$245 million, which will mainly concentrate on houses and shopping centers. "In this second fund US$100 million are being invested, and there is also a debt for US$145 million, for eight large projects, which reflects our confidence in Mexico and the willingness to take more risks", said Pierre Arriz, General Director for Hines in Mexico. Among the projects to be made with this investment stand out the development of the master plan for Cumbres complex in Nuevo Leon, where land for houses and buildings will be sold; Cauquel master plan in Merida, which will include a shopping center and developed land for service facilities, such as clinics, hotels and gas stations. This developer launched in 2005 its first fund for US$197 million, which were disbursed in 18 projects in the residential, industrial and commerce sectors. Hines is even tuning up the last details for their third fund for an amount of US$211 million. "With this we have invested in Mexico in risk capital more than one billion dollars (…); for 2009 we have forecasted a US$500 million investment.

Source: El Norte