Bulletin 410 - Friday, February 27, 2009

Nuevo Leon, Mexico,- Hitachi Chemical informed they will establish a new auto parts plant in Montemorelos Industrial Park in Nuevo Leon, making to this purpose a US$155 million investment. With headquarters in Tokyo, the Company under the lead of its President and CEO, Yasuji Nagase, informed through a press release that the purpose of this type of projects is expanding in the North America Market the auto parts business, focused on disc-brake pads, or "DP's". Hitachi Chemical Mexico will start operating as a disc-brake pads manufacturer and will invest close to ¥2.5 billion Yens within five years. This new plant in Nuevo Leon should start operating in the summer of 2010, and its production capacity will grow by stages.

Source: Milenio

Silao, Guanajuato,- The facilities of the automotive company Samot Industria Mecanica, Ltda., being built in Guanajuato's Inland Port, were supervised yesterday by executives from this Brazilian firm and state authorities. Samot's CEO, Ali Jamil Jomaa, said that "these are difficult times for everybody, but it is also the right time to invest, because when the world starts producing again, we will be prepared at a place where, certainly, the Government will be supporting us and we will have schools, so we will be ready to produce again in large amounts. We trust in Guanajuato". Ali Jamil Jomaa informed that this Brazilian Firm is planning to have at least 300 employees within five years. "We are in the mechanized field, we are going to develop and invest for a few years, also in other factory processes we have in Brazil; for example, screw-on aluminum bars; this could be the second step in Mexico. It is our intention to invest here", he pointed-out. Samot Industria Mecanica Ltda. manufactures pieces for transmissions, brakes system, steering systems and pieces for home appliances.

Source: Noti-Ina

Apodaca, Mexico,- Orchid International announced the completion of the move of its existing Monterrey aluminum die casting operation into a new 62,000 sq.ft. facility in nearby Apodaca. The new facility more than doubles the company's manufacturing floor space in the region. For Orchid Monterrey the move to a larger facility represents Orchid's commitment to growing its presence in the region. According to Orchid CEO Grant Bibby, the company expects its investment in the region to pay dividends today and well into the future. "We firmly believe the manufacturing base will continue to develop and thrive throughout northern Mexico and the southern United States. Our goal is simply to increase manufacturing capacity when and where it is needed to meet the growing needs of existing and potential customers." Originally acquired by Orchid International in November 2006, the former Hawk Motors operation ships over 80,000 aluminum die cast rotors per week. The rotors are destined for use in electric motors that power heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)systems and other applications. "We have already experienced significant customer interest in Monterrey," stated Co-CEO Steve Gruver, "and are eager to bring additional work into the new facility." The company is also considering the future addition of general stamping and assembly in Monterrey to meet the growing needs of automotive manufacturers and other industries in Mexico and Texas. The Orchid Monterrey facility is located at Jose Isidoro Sepulveda 605, Regio Parque Industrial, in Apodaca. The telephone number is +52 (81) 1334-0700. About Orchid International Founded in 1988, Orchid International provides world-class metal stamping automated assembly, lamination stamping, and die casting to the automotive, appliance, lawn and garden, lighting, and numerous other metal stamping-related industries throughout North America. Headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, Orchid International's corporate footprint extends from Ontario, Canada, down through the central United States, and into northern Mexico. Orchid international's five manufacturing facilities are strategically located in Mount Juliet, Tennessee; McAllen, Texas; Monroe, Wisconsin; Newmarket, Ontario, Canada; and Monterrey, Mexico. Orchid Monterrey Move 2 Annually the Orchid Monterrey operation ships over 2 million aluminum die cast rotors utilized by manufacturers in the appliance and HVAC industries. Visit online at www.orchidinternational.com

Source: orchidinternational.com

Mexico City,- The Asian Firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) will create at least 150 new jobs in Queretaro between 2009 and 2012 as part of their strategy to make of Mexico the center of their operations for North America, South America and part of Europe. "We definitively think we will reach at least 150 new jobs in Queretaro between 2009 and 2012 because we have to grow to reach our goals. We want to make of Mexico our center and an important country for North America, part of Europe and South America", said Ankur Prakash, TCS' General Director for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. He said that Tata Consultancy Services will also try and find new jobs to reach their goal to employ five thousand Mexicans, because since they arrived in Mexico in 2003 TCS has employed one thousand 400 people and has experienced two-digit growth in Mexico; therefore, the Company will make of Mexico its Operations Center in the Region.

Source: El Financiero

México, Distrito Federal,- Amid news of massive personnel cuts and technical stoppages arising from the world financial crisis, Nissan announced yesterday they could bring production of several compact models to Mexico. This is because yen appreciation is affecting profit of units manufactured in Japan for export. Nissan is planning to transfer production of 130 thousand vehicles to other countries in the next two years after the yen went up 23% in 2008. However, the models were not specified, nor did they disclose which or how many of said 130 thousand vehicles will be assembled in Mexico. Some say production by this Japanese Company might be coming to Aguascalientes, because it leaked out that Nissan's executives there asked for a suburb to be built across the street from their plant, maybe to lodge more Japanese that might be arriving with Nissan's new production lines.

Source: El Financiero

Coahuila, Mexico,- The Region is taking a breather for Lennox International, air conditioning manufacturers, will be inaugurated this afternoon to start operations with 400 direct jobs for the time being, but may occupy up to one thousand 500 workers when in full operation, Ricardo Aguirre, Ramos Arizpe City Mayor informed. The Company, located in Jose Lopez Portillo Road, also provides consolidation to home appliances cluster, an industrial branch that includes Whirlpool, Mabe and Cinsa Water Heaters, as well as suppliers such as Moll and Indiana Tube. "This company is important because they will manufacture novel products, 80% of which will be exported to the United States, and because it serves as a magnet to attract suppliers to the Region", the City Mayor explained. He added that, taking into consideration the automotive crisis and the serious consequences it has brought on regional suppliers, the inaugurating a company in a different business line "provides outstanding strength" to industrial diversification.

Source: Vanguardia