Bulletin 426 - Friday, June 26, 2009

The Company was attracted not only by the opportunities offered by the domestic chain of supply but also to diversify their business in the automotive field. The arrival of Kristal Enterprises to Mexicali does not only generate employment, but it is also an opportunity to take advantage of the Mexican chain of supply, the Chairman of the Commission for Industrial Development in Mexicali, pointed-out. Manuel Rubio Montoya said that the Commission has endeavored to promote Mexicali, and among the contacts made by the organization's staff there was the largest limousines, high-end vehicles and vans assembler in the United States. "Its arrival (Kristal Enterprises') will help promote wheels, tires and upholstery factories in Mexicali", he said. The Company, he added, makes around 250 models of vehicles, and in these times of crisis they want to diversify their business in the tourism buses field and penetrate several markets in Mexico. One of the incentives offered by Mexicali is its qualified labor, which companies such as Honeywell Automotriz, Kenworth, Pilkington, Isoclimas and others are already making use of. "All these types of automotive models will be offered in Mexicali, which will lead to a new stage in the Municipality's industry. "We already have world-renown Gulfstream, a private aircraft factory, and now there will be a limo assembler here", he said. Investors are currently in the negotiation stage and would like to start as soon as possible. The approximate investment is MEP$40 million (almost US$3 million), which will generate 250 jobs in the first stage and a similar number in the second stage.

Source: La Crónica

Mexico City- During Paris Airshow 2009, where 20 Mexican companies participated investment agreements for US$353 million were reached with French, US and Canadian companies, ProMexico informed. The agreements will be executed within the next six months and plans are that construction of plants to manufacture, design and assemble aircraft and products for the aerospace sector starts in the first quarter of 2010. "International investors highlighted the growth in the Mexican market, as well as throughout the Continent, both in Latin America and in the so-called Dollar Region", the organization pointed-out in a press release.

Source: El Financiero

Saltillo, Coahuila,- Around 150 workers will be hired to work in Vitromex Plant 1 in San Jose Iturbide, Guanajuato, when furnaces that were turned off last November due to a drop in products demand are turned on again. Francisco Flores Pineda, Chairman for Southeast Coahuila Business Center, Centro Empresarial Coahuila Sureste (CECS), informed there are two plants in San Jose de Iturbide, with around 270 workers each; however, furnaces were turned off last November in Plant 1, due to a drop in demand, but now they are "taking flight" again, and therefore 150 people are being hired to work in this factory. As far as Saltillo Plant is concerned, where there are currently around 450 workers, he added that there are no plans for massive recruitment, because this is a very stable plant, only whenever someone leaves the company the position is filled.

Source: Zocalo

Dallas,- Nilfisk-Advance Inc, manufacturer of professional cleaning equipment, announced today they will transfer to Mexico the production of their plant located in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, within the next few months, in order to cut down costs. The transfer will represent creating 40 new jobs in the premises the company already has here, in the State of Queretaro. Minnesota-based Nilfisk-Advance's purpose is consolidating in Queretaro the plants located in the United States to cut down production costs, Doug Hauff, General Manger of Coeur d"Alene Plant informed.

Source: El Financiero

Mexico City,- Getronics Mexico, a company in Information Technologies field, received the award "Service Provider Partner of the Year" during Cisco Partner Summit 2009 held in Houston, Texas. Cisco gathers its leading partners every year in Cisco Partner Summit. In this event, the company informs achievements and performance in the previous year, and discloses plans, programs and goals for the next years. "To obtain the award we had to develop a very consistent strategy as Service Providers, providing service to accounts in Carriers, Hosting, Cable and Mobile divisions, with Cisco certifications in advanced technologies for Service Providers and cutting edge professional services", Francisco Muciño, Commercial Director explained. The award to Getronics Mexico was presented in a ceremony where Paolo Pichini, VP for Latin America; David Glait, Getronics Mexico CEO and Francisco Muciño Commercial Director for Getornics Mexico were present.

Source: El Financiero

Baja California, Tijuana,- Sony announced yesterday the expansion of their plant in Tijuana, where one thousand 500 jobs will be generated to manufacture TV sets and electronic components. The announcement was made in an event attended by Sony's President, Takashiro Kawamura, Governor Jose Osuna Millan, The State Minister of Economic Development, Alejandro Mungaray and local businessmen. "We will continue giving our full support for the plant to stay here", Mr. Kawamura said speaking about the plant established in Tijuana, stressing the fact that this is a strategic site for the production of LCD televisions and electronic components. Governor Osuna Millan said that with this expansion one thousand 500 extra jobs will be generated which, when added to existing jobs, means Sony will have 5 thousand employees in Tijuana. Sony´s Plant in Tijuana is also a design center, and they are therefore also contributing to technological development, the Governor said and further affirmed that this is encouraged by college graduates' talent.

Source: La Frontera

Lerma, State of Mexico,- With the vision to become a beacon in the automotive sector, offering high quality products to the Mexican market, Mahle Componentes de Motor de Mexico (Mahle Engine Components) inaugurated their distribution center in Lerma, State of Mexico. During the inauguration of this distribution center, Arnd Franz, World Director for Mahle Aftermarket, pointed-out that thanks to consumers' preference this Firm ranks now among the three main suppliers of pistons, components and cylinder for engines in the world. "Part of the Company's strength lies in the quality of the employees we have, as well as in its production capacity and technical development", Franz pointed-out. Governor Enrique Peña Nieto said he was pleased with the inauguration of O'Donnell Logistics Center Toluca and reminded that three years ago there were 62 industrial parks in the State of Mexico, while nowadays there are 87, i.e. 40% more. "Fortunately the synergy between the private sector and the State Government is helping generate more jobs right at the time when they are so badly needed", the Governor said.

Source: T21