Bulletin 414 - Friday, March 27, 2009

Mexico,- There is confidence in the evolution of Mexican economy, assured George Haynal, Bombardier's Senior Vice-president, who pointed-out that proof of this is the recent investment made by the Firm in Queretaro Plant for US$250 million. During the forum "Mexico-Canada: Key Partners in Critical Times", organized by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, he said that in Mexico there is qualified labor, as well as talent to make high responsibility decisions inside the Company. In this context, Roberto Newell said that Mexico must reconsider how to reduce exports to the US market and diversify them elsewhere in the world.

Source: El Financiero online

Mexico, Guanajuato,- The Japanese Automotive Company Hino Motors Sales Mexico informed that their assembly plant, located in the State of Guanajuato, is ahead of time in construction and will be ready in March. Gabriel de Uriarte, Commercial Director, denied the rumor saying that construction would be stopped due to the world economic crisis and even said that construction will be completed in March, a month earlier than planned. "In May or June we will make the first demo vehicles and between July and August other tests will be run, to start production next September". He added that investment will amount to US$$10 million exceeding by US$3 million the US$7 million estimated when construction started.

Source: Noti-Ina

Mexico,- Helvex, manufacturer of home accessories, will invest US$20 million in a new plant in Guanajuato to enter into the ceramics market. This Plant will manufacture toilets and will start operations next August; plans are to produce more than 150 thousand products per month, said Jorge Barbara Morfin, CEO. Mr. Barbara Morfin further said that with this investment they are going after a share of the ceramics market, in addition to supplementing their business lines; currently, Helvex manufactures faucets, showers and other accessories sold in 18 countries in America. With this decision, Helvex will compete against companies such as Grupo Lamosa and Vitromex.

Source: El Semanario

Guadalajara, Mexico,- Jalisco could receive the investment from the French Company Eurocopter, which is considering installing a plant to manufacture helicopters, announced ten days ago by Mexican President Felipe Calderon in his recent tour by the State. State of Jalisco's Minister of Economic Promotion, Alonso Ulloa, confirmed there are three states, including Jalisco, which are being considered for the establishment of the plant, with an investment estimated in more than US$500 million. According to Alonso Ulloa, in the next three months Eurocopter will decide the place where the plant will be built, which investment was announced during the visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy a couple of weeks ago. Eurocopter is the largest helicopters manufacturer in the world and up to now it only sells equipment in Mexico and provides maintenance services.

Source: El Mural

Mexico,- Even if some Japanese companies in the auto parts sector froze investment projects in Mexico, the outlook for capital coming to Mexico does not change for the medium term, according to Takao Nakahata, Economic Exchange Promotion Manager for Jetro Mexico. The financial crisis affected the finances of Japanese companies. Investment plans will be stopped not only in Mexico, but throughout the world. However, as automotive industry recovers in the American Continent, Mexico will stay in the mind of investors because it is still competitive. In an interview, Nakahata estimated that three or four Japanese firms postponed their plans to disburse money in Mexico. Among the companies that cancelled their projects stand out an auto parts plant which would be located in Nuevo Leon, manufacturer of electronic products for the automotive sector and another plant that would manufacture TV stands in Tijuana.

Source: Noti-Ina

Mexico,- Grupo Diken de Mexico, located in northern Mexico, inaugurated their new plant, with an investment over US$12 million. The new 20,000 square meters (around 215,277 square feet) complex has a production capacity of 15,000,000 kilos/liters and exceeds the capacity of the previous plant by 5 times. Diken's new investment will generate 150 new direct jobs and 120 indirect jobs in the region. The new plant considers a state-of-the-art production area, high-end labs, general warehouse and specialties warehouse, administrative area and even a sports center. "Growth in current divisions and in divisions that will soon start is what set the standard for the new plant, which will support the full demand of products and services required by each of the several markets served by Grupo Diken de Mexico", Hector Siller, Marketing Manager, said. Diken de Mexico is a company devoted to hygiene and harmlessness in food industry. It currently has three lines of chemicals: Agrosan Line (Food Industry), Spectra Line (Food Service Products) and Fortegreen (Metal-Mechanic Industry).

Source: El Semanario