Bulletin 478 - Friday, July 16, 2010

Tucson, Arizona: Reno, Nevada-based EE Technologies, Inc. (EET) has extended its contract for manufacturing support, or "shelter" services in Mexico with The Offshore Group through 2015, and has announced that it will expand its Empalme, Sonora production facility size from its current 17,227 square feet to 38,628 square feet. It is anticipated that this growth will generate an additional 50 to 100 jobs at The Offshore Group's flagship Bella Vista Industrial Park. According to EET's president, Sonny Newman, "We are proactively expanding our facility and capacity at this time to meet the expanding needs of our customers. Our diversification efforts over the last few years have resulting in serving new industries including automotive, medical, and aviation while still serving our gaming, industrial, and education customers. We anticipate this expanded space and the related capital equipment investments will allow us to better serve our new and existing customers." EE Technologies, Inc. (www.eetechinc.com) is a premier electronics manufacturing service (EMS) provider, and has been in business since 2000. It is a quality and reliable source of engineering, customer and product support, quality and process control and manufacturing services. Its capabilities include: SMT, screen printing, inspection, testing, and conformal coating, as well as through hole and mechanical assembly services. EET is an ISO/TS 16949:2009 certified facility with a highly skilled and effective team. The Offshore Group is the largest provider of outsourced manufacturing support, or, "shelter" services in Mexico. Currently 51 manufacturers are in production are at The Offshore Groups three industrial parks in Sonora and the city of Saltillo, Coahuila. Through its Vangtel subsidiary The Offshore Group also offers services to companies occupying the call center, IT development and BPO markets. Media Contact: Steven A. Colantuoni Director of Market Research and Communications.

Source: The Offshore Group

Mexico,- FreightWatch, the Texas-based courier service and carrier, will invest Ten Million US Dollars in new security solutions that protect their operations in Mexico-US border, after they have been affected by lack of safety caused by the traffic of persons and prohibited substances. Most of the investment will be made by FreightWatch's partner, Bridge Investments LLC, a Chicago-based private capitals company. According to a press release from FreightWatch, in the last few months pharmaceutical products cargo have been the most attacked by criminals.

Source: El Financiero

Veracruz, Mexico,- Veracruz Governor, Fidel Herrera Beltran, inaugurated yesterday Mexichem Derivado's CTC recovery plant, which in addition to generating new jobs for Veracruz people will prevent every year the release to the environment of 80 tons of this gas, which is one of the most harmful for ozone layer. Juan Pablo del Valle, Chairman of Mexichem's Executive Committee, said that this is an example of collaboration among international, federal, state and municipal agencies, which must be copied all over the world. Mexichem is the largest chlorine and caustic soda producer in Mexico and to establish this new plant in Pajaritos Industrial Complex they have invested US$4.3 million with Onudi's support.

Source: El Financiero

Merida, Mexico,- With an investment over MXP$2,3 million, Get-Mex S.A. started its development and consolidation as one of the main hydroponic greenhouses in the State of Yucatan, to grow chile habanero to be exported to the United States, Europe and Asia, which currently demand the product of origin for several industries. Located in Yasilhon community at Panaba municipality, this agriculture center started operations last year as an alternative for people at the area. Jose Lugo Maldonado, CEO, Get-Mex S.A, spoke about the works being made at the hydroponic greenhouse, which required an initial investment for MXP$2.309 million. Jose Lugo explained that the greenhouse has state-of-the-art technology, such as fertirrigation, which provides crops with nutrients.

Source: El Financiero

Puebla, Mexico,- Nissan Mexicana will increase by 50% the purchase of domestic auto parts, compared to 2009 figures, and is therefore advancing towards its goal to reach 90% domestic parts in their vehicles made in Mexico by 2012. The increase is part of a strategy to consolidate suppliers infrastructure for domestic production, adding investment in auto parts purchase to MXP$3 billion against the MXP$2 billion spent last year. Nissan explained that this will secure their competitive position in the world as far as medium and long term units production is concerned, by increasing the number of domestic suppliers that supply their plants in Aguascalientes and Cuernavaca.

Source: Debate

Chihuahua, Chihuahua,- Hawker Beechcraft is currently working on the development of their second plant in Chihuahua City, with a US$108.2 million investment, to employ 600 people. The new plant will be built in a 188 square feet surface and when operations start large assemblies and subassemblies for aircraft structures will be made there. Hawker Beechcraft currently has around 220 employees here and investment from October 2007 to date amounts to US$2.2 million.

Source: El Diario

Mexico City,- After announcing two plants will be closed in Mexico, Merck, the pharmaceutical company, announced they will reinforce operations in their main manufacture, production and distribution center located in Xochimilco. Sergio Ulloa, Head of Communications and External Affairs for MSD Mexico (Merck Sharp & Dohme), said that Xochimilco Plant will become a center of excellence in the manufacture of body lotions, ointments, syrups and solid products, which are exported to Latin America and the Caribbean. Mr. Ulloa added that production from some plants that will be closed elsewhere in the world will be brought to Mexico, to make of this country a regional production and distribution center for Latin America. Xochimilco Plant has a production capacity of 150 million units per year and is using only 60% of total capacity, which gives the company a huge production potential.

Source: El Norte