Central Zone – Issue 83

The French company Michelin plans to build a plant in Guanajuato. It is valued at US$10 million and will produce about five million tires per year and it could be expanded to manufacture another five million units by 2020. All this manufacture will generate more than 1,000 jobs. It is expected that this plant will initiate operations by 2017 in order to mainly produce tires for vehicles and light trucks. These are destined for markets in North America, Europe and Asia. Part of the production will be sold as spare parts directly to customers, while the other part will be distributed to the production lines supplying the growing automotive industry in Mexico.

The Japanese auto parts maker Advics inaugurated its first production plant in Mexico. It is located in the Colinas de Lagos Industrial Park in Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco. Operations started in May. During the first stage the Company invested US$10 million. However, according to Jason Taylor, Operations Manager for Advics Manufacturing in Mexico, the objective is to inject a capital per US$26.5 million over the next five years. Lagos de Moreno’s plant will generate 50 new jobs in the State during the first year. The goal for Advics Mexico includes the manufacturing, engineering, assembling, purchasing, selling, importing, exporting and distribution of brake systems and other components for vehicles.

Murakami, the Japanese auto part maker, started its operations in Calera Industrial Park situated in the City of Zacatecas. They are investing US$15 million and 500 new jobs will be created. Rear view mirrors will be the primary production in this 55,000 square meter plant. Taro Murakami, President of the company, shared some of the firm’s mid-term plans, which include expanding their distribution network to cover South America's budding auto market. He also stated that workers will receive training in Japan and U.S. facilities. This will be done as they become part of the labor force. Murakami has 20 facilities in Japan, China, the U.S., Indonesia and Thailand.

 

 

Pirelli will increase its production capabilities to 7.5 million tires by 2018 after their new plant has been installed. This is in addition to the one currently that has been operating in Guanajuato's Puerto Interior since 2012. The estimated production in this new factory will be 2.5 million tires. The new investment will begin in 2016 and will total up to the US$360 million invested so far. Another US$50 million has been allotted for the 2016-2017 work year. The cumulative expenditure in both Silao facilities will be over US$600 million by the end of 2018.

KYB Corporation recently started operations in the KYB Shock Absorbers plant. It is located at Guanajuato Puerto Interior (GPI), in Silao, Guanajuato. US$80 million in funds have been received and 300 jobs were created during its initial phase. Miguel Marquez Marquez, Governor of the State and Yasusuke Nakajima, Director of PR and President Executive Officer of the KYB Corporation, were present at the inauguration ceremony. The Company has been pioneering hydraulic technologies since 1935, according to Nakajima, and the firm is currently a supplier for the automotive, construction, train, aeronautic and naval sectors. According to Governor Marquez during a three year period 182 companies have established offices in a number of Municipalities in the State.

With an investment of US$20 million, Thyssenkrupp Materials Mexico has undertaken a 5,100 square meter expansion of its plant located in Silao, Guanajuato. This is where the new line of stamped products will be made, with prospects to increase annual production by 70%. The German manufacturer is currently producing 160,000 metric tons of raw aluminum pieces for its clients. This number will increase up to 270,000 metric tons after the refurnishing and result in labor force growth from 154 to 189 workers. Arturo Gutierrez, Plant Manager, further explained that the objective behind the increase in aluminum and steel stamping production is to supply the Premium companies that have recently started operations in Mexico.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As part of the growing investment form the Japanese Vilene Company, Vitechmex Nonwovers laid the first stone for a new factory in Aguascalientes. This factory will produce automotive fabrics and upholstery. This exciting enterprise is expected to create 150 new formal jobs in the two expansion stages. The effort comes with a US$20.5 million investment. According to Carlos Lozano de la Torre, the Governor of Aguascalientes, 137 new projects for expansion can now be counted. He said the set-up of competitive global leading companies have also been put into operation in the state during the past 63 months.

The new industrial building of the Swedish company SKF, which was named "Sealing Solutions Factory", according to its production, was recently inaugurated at the Technology Park in the Municipality of Zapopan, Jalisco. This will allow for a continuous increase in production, which is especially important for the North American automotive OEM's. Stéphane Le Mounier, President of the Automotive and Aerospace Division, insisted that the company's expansion in Mexico is contributing to the development of their sealing solutions business in North America.