Information collected from media reports over the past month:
- Beverage: Netherlands-based Heineken International, through its Mexican brewing operation Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma (CM), invested over US$37 million to boost sales of the brewery’s Carta Blanca beer brand. Resources were channeled into areas such as a new returnable bottle, label design and delivery truck modifications. CM was acquired by Heineken in 2010. (Vanguardia, October 28, 2011)
- Energy: Mareña Renovables Capital, S.A.P.I. de C.V., controlled by an investment consortium led by Australia’s Macquarie Group, will build Mexico’s largest wind farm to date in the southern state of Oaxaca. The 396 MW electricity generating site will supply energy to beverage giant FEMSA, which will co-finance construction with assistance from a US$72 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). (Inter-American Development Bank, November 24, 2011)
- Logistics: Mexico’s rail freight operators are projecting combined investment of approximately US$350 – 450 million annually in the coming years, according to the Mexican Railroad Association. Resources are targeted principally for modernization and upgrade of infrastructure. (Reforma, November 9, 2011)
- Energy: Mexico’s Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) is projecting that public agencies and private companies will invest a combined US$10.5 billion to expand the country’s natural gas pipeline network. Projects include eight new pipelines, which will help support planned conversion of power plants from fuel oil to natural gas. (Reforma, November 9, 2011)
- Automotive: U.K.-based auto parts manufacturer GKN Driveline is projecting total investment in its Mexico operations at US$46 million for 2011. The expenditures are focused on reinforcing metal forming, machining and assembly operations to increase production at the company’s three plants in the central state of Guanajuato. (Reforma, November 21, 2011)
- Pharmaceutical: German pharmaceutical manufacturer Boehringer Ingelheim inaugurated a new production plant in the western state of Jalisco. The US$10 million facility will produce biological veterinary products for poultry, swine and cattle applications. (NAFTA Works, November, 2011)
- Retail: Mexico’s national retailers association ANTAD is projecting total investment of US$3.6 billion in new store openings and remodeling for 2011. The sector has performed well this year despite the uncertain economic climate, with leading grocery and general merchandise chains Wal-Mart and Chedraui reporting total sales growth of 12% and 11.9%, respectively, through September. (Reforma, November 7, 2011) Read the rest of this entry »
