Bulletin 395 - Friday, November 14, 2008

Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada - based St Clair. Technologies Inc. has signed a 7 year agreement with The Offshore Group for the purpose of expanding its Guaymas, Mexico operations from 90,000 to 126,000 square feet of industrial space within The Offshore Group's Sonoran industrial parks. This expansion will enable St. Clair Technologies to manage its raw materials in Mexico, and will provide the space required for the eventual addition of 100 direct labor workers. According to company president, Charlie Hess, "Our decision to expand our operations in Guaymas, Sonora was based upon our long-standing positive relationship with the Offshore Group, and our goal to continue preparing to meet the needs of our clients. We are aggressively pursuing new market segments, while thankfully experiencing continued success with many of our long-term customers. Our manufacturing team in Guaymas has been doing a great job for over a dozen years now, and we foresee a very bright future in this location." St. Clair Technologies is a full-service manufacturer of discrete wire-harness assemblies for the automotive, marine, heavy truck, bus, military, and RV markets. The company's production capability covers a wide spectrum of volumes and complexities, while offering customers wiring-harness and component design services. The Offshore Group is the largest provider of outsourced manufacturing support, or "shelter," services in Mexico. It has an industrial real estate inventory of over 3 million square feet at its two manufacturing locations.

Source: Offshore Group

Coahuila,- With a US$15 million investment, Littelfuse, a company leader in manufacturing fuses for electric and electronic industry started operating its third assembly plant in Piedras Negras, which will lead to the creation of 480 direct jobs. Gordon Hunter, the Corporation's President, assured that conditions offered by Mexico and Coahuila are suitable to continue investing in new plants, from where they supply their products to the automotive and electric industries in more than 20 countries. The Company, considered leader in the manufacture of fuses all over the world, has a distribution center in Piedras Negras, from where the supply domestic and international markets. He pointed-out that the Company, in spite of the world financial crisis, is considering investments for US$50 million in the construction of new plants for auto parts assembly in several countries, including Mexico.

Source: Vanguardia

Chihuahua, Chih,- ConMed Corporation opened its doors in Chihuahua. ConMed maquiladora plant was officially inaugurated, which translates into larger investment in the State, as well as more and better jobs. Investment in this plant's construction amounted to US$18 million, and it will generate from 500 to 600 direct jobs for people in Chihuahua. This new maquiladora will manufacture suction tubes, electro-blades, needles, brushes to scrub surgical instruments and catheters for biopsies. The inauguration was attended by the State Governor, Jose Reyes Baeza, as well as Elias Antonio Saad, Development Director for the City Council and Luis Lara Armendariz, American Industries President.

Source: Segundo a Segundo

Chihuahua, Chih,- Labinal's Plant II was inaugurated last Wednesday to work. in design and assembly activities for the aerospace industry. The Plant, located in Complejo Industrial Chihuahua, has a US$15 million investment, and it is expected to generate 600 direct jobs next year. There are 12 thousand square meters more considered for an expansion, in addition to growth projects both in assembly and design areas. Governor Jose Reyes Baeza, Luis Lara Armendariz, American Industries President, Jose Luis Rodulfo Mercado from AMEAC (Maquiladoras Association), Elías Antonio Saad from Planning and Urban Development Department attended all the inauguration, to support companies' expansion for the City's development.

Source: Segundo a Segundo

Yucatan,- With a MEP$125 million investment and on what once was the. renowned Cerveceria Yucateca, Grupo Modelo, a company leader in manufacturing, distributing and selling beer in Mexico, inaugurated in Merida a new distribution center for the Southeastern Region, in order to have more presence in Yucatan Peninsula. Carlos Fernandez, Grupo Modelo's Chairman of the Board, talked about the support granted by the State Government, committed to attract new investments; he said "this investment made by Grupo Modelo is a sample of the commitment Grupo Modelo has for Yucatan". "The State of Yucatan is a very important market for Grupo Modelo. With this new center we will be closer to our consumers at the State, and we will be able to offer them our beer, in addition to bottled water", Fernandez said.

Source: Milenio

Durango,- Operations start today in Leoni Durango, which investment of around MEP$200 million will benefit the State by generating one thousand jobs only in the first stage. Uwe Lamman, Leoni's President and Helmunt Sender, Executive Vice-president will be at the inauguration. Ricardo Neves, Operations Director, said that Durango was chosen among 23 cities interested in having this plant installed there. He further said that the fact that Leoni has agreements with Caterpillar and Cummins guarantees it will stay for at least ten years in Durango. The investment made by this German Company in the State gives a respite to the country at these times of crisis and strengthens the automotive sector here.

Source: Milenio