Interpuerto Monterrey – The New Crossroads

Interpuerto Monterrey is Mexico's largest inland port featuring a surface area of more than 1,300 hectares (3,212 acres). It is strategically located at the intersection of Mexico's most important rail lines. This provides another advantage to users along with its Customs Inspection Area and RFE (Free Trade Zone).

Other services provided within the development include a Research and Development Logistics Institute, operated in association with the State University of Nuevo Leon (UANL). There is an offi ce complex, a retail area and also hotel and internal transportation.

In addition to the communication and connectivity infrastructure Interpuerto Monterrey provides its development users with a power supply of 600 MVA's, a water supply of 160 lts/sec, plus sewage capability of 110 lts/sec, and also fi ber optics and gas.

Silvano Solis is the CEO of Interpuerto Monterrey. Interpuerto Monterrey is the best logistic option for Companies looking to establish operations in Mexico and Mr. Solis explained why. He said: "Interpuerto Monterrey responds to the need for a fully integrated logistics and manufacturing hub in Northeastern Mexico. Therefore, its strategic location at the intersection of the Ferromex and KCSM railroad lines make it ideal for capitalizing on operating and distribution efficiencies."

"It's connectivity to the ports of Lazaro Cardenas, Manzanillo, Veracruz and Altamira, as well as its close proximity to the U.S." added Mr. Solis, "extends the range of the fi rm's global distribution and supply chains. It does this by reaching other ports within the Americas, Asia and Europe."

The CEO of Interpuerto Monterrey continued by mentioning that the road infrastructure built by Federal and State Governments, which includes overpasses and an enhanced highway network, provides continuous inbound and outbound traffi c fl ow to Nuevo Laredo, Saltillo and Colombia. This translates into significant savings to its users and clients.

Last year (2012) was a year of great accomplishments for Interpuerto Monterrey. In August 2012 they closed their fi rst sale transaction with Tubacero, a leading steel pipe manufacturing company. The deal contracted for a 42 hectare (103 acre) plot of land. "The construction of the main entrance overpass by the Ministry of Communications and Transportation (SCT)," reports Mr. Solis, "represents another milestone in the history of Monterrey's Interpuerto. This is because its construction will grant continuous access to Interpuerto Monterrey regardless of train frequency and/ or traffi c," he explained.

Mr. Solis points out that 2013 represents a consolidation year for Interpuerto Monterrey's operations: "Hosting a fully operating company within the premises of the development signifi es we're off to a fl ying start for the development's fi rst phase and this is a very positive impulse within our existing pipeline of customers."

The outlook for this coming year is an optimistic one, especially when Mexico's economy has a forecasted growth rate of 3.5% of its GDP. It is growing more than any other economy in the region, said the Director of Interpuerto. "Companies are looking at Mexico again; Asian wages and transport costs have increased. This shifts investment back into our country therefore making sites like Interpuerto Monterrey attractive for companies that want to establish operations. This gives them access to a population of 70 million within a 900 km radius. This is real connectivity catering to Mexico's internal consumer demand, as well as insertion into global supply chains. And this certainly signifi es considerable savings and a real positive impact on our development."

Interpuerto Monterrey's goal for 2013 is to grant seamless operations for its fi rst client, Tubacero. This is facilitated by the completion of their main entrance into the development and finalization of the internal roadway system. Added to full provision of utilities, this will serve the fi rst phase of Interpuerto Monterrey, which consists of 350 hectares. "The launching of our property management facet as administrator of the development will give Interpuerto Monterrey's customers the added value of having our professional oversight in the development and maintenance of infrastructure going forward. Also, we can assure clients a sustainable development into the foreseeable future," Solis said.

"We feel very bullish on the growth of the Mexican economy and the great opportunity this represents for both foreign and domestic investment. There is a growing consumer market in the country and our strategic location is set up to provide an effi cient operation for logistics and manufacturing companies looking to capitalize on this growing demand, as well as the export market into the U.S. and the rest of the world," something that Mr. Solis emphasized.