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)
• Biotechnology: The central state of Morelos plans to invest approximately US$25 million to establish a biotechnology park in the city of Cuernavaca.  The state is offering a series of incentives that they project will attract some 40 – 50 research and manufacturing operations to the facility.  (Reforma, November 11, 2011)
• Logistics: U.S.-based university The Georgia Institute of Technology, in conjunction with Mexico’s Monterrey Technological Institute (ITESM), recently opened a Trade and Logistics Innovation Center in Mexico City.  The center will provide executive education and advanced research in areas such as lean supply chain, transportation, warehousing, inventory, trade and supply chain strategy.  (GlobalAtlanta.com, September 29, 2011)
• Automotive: U.S.-based auto parts manufacturer TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. announced it will open a new production plant in the central state of Queretaro in 2012.  The planned facility machine aluminum components and assemble advanced brake systems in a clean-room environment.  The amount of investment was not reported. (American machinist, November 23, 2011)
• Telecommunications: Mobile network operator Nextel de Mexico is projecting investment of approximately US$1.4 billion over the next five years.  The company currently reports a client base of 3.5 million subscribers in Mexico. (Mexican Business Web, September 21, 2011)
• Aerospace: Canadian aerospace manufacturer Héroux-Devtek inaugurated a new production plant in the central state of Queretaro this month.  The US$20 million facility will produce aerostructure components for OEMs also located in the fast-growing Queretaro aerospace cluster, the company announced. (Héroux-Devtek press release, November 15, 2011)
• Railroads: Mexico’s rail freight operators project investment of a combined US$500 million in 2012.  Companies including Ferrocarril del Sureste, Ferromex, Kansas City Southern, Ferrocarril Tijuana-Tecate and Ferrocarril Coahuila-Durango will channel the resources into infrastructure development and new equipment. (El Financiero, November 15, 2011)
• Automotive: German heavy vehicle manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus, via its Mexican subsidiary, will invest US$15 million to expand and upgrade capacity at its plant in the central state of Queretaro.  The resources are earmarked to outfit work stations and supply lines for the production of 14 new vehicle models. (Reforma, November 22, 2011)
• Retail: DIY retailer The Home Depot announced aggressive expansion plans for 2012, projecting investment of US$143 million in a drive to increase its Mexico stores from 91 to 100.  The Home Depot acquired Home Mart in Mexico in 2004 and is currently the country’s largest home improvement and construction products chain. (Mexican Business Web, November 24, 2011)

Information collected from media reports over the past month:

• Automotive: German auto parts manufacturer Robert Bosch projected investment in its Mexico operations at US$78 million for 2011.  The resources are earmarked to support introduction of new technologies and preparation for the manufacture of new brake pad and battery products at the company’s 13 Mexico production locations. (El Informador, September 29, 2011)
• Aerospace: Canadian aircraft maker Bombardier announced it will invest US$50 million to outfit its Queretaro plant to produce the aft fuselage for its new generation of long range business jets.  Mexico is now producing major composite structures for the company’s Learjet 85, such as fuselage lay-up and subsystem installation, wiring harness fabrication and installation, wing assembly and horizontal and vertical stabilizer assemblies. (The Montreal Gazette, October 25, 2011)
• Recycling: Germany-based industrial services firm Ferrostaal AG announced plans to build a tire recycling plant in Mexico.  The facility will convert used vehicle tires into rubber granules for potential use in the manufacture of sports and recreation surfaces, soundproofing insulation or water hoses, among other uses.  The amount of investment in the new plant was not specified. (Ferrostaal, September 26, 2011)
• Mining: Minera Autlán, subsidiary of Mexican mining group Grupo Ferrominero (GFM), is projecting investment in its Mexico mining operations of up to US$300 million over the next five years.  GFM’s energy subsidiary GFM Energía also plans to build three hydroelectric plants and one wind power generating plant in the coming years. (Reforma, October 6, 2011)
• Steel: U.S.-based Steel Technologies announced plans to build a new steel processing facility in the northeastern state of Nuevo León.  The US$78 million plant is planned to provide steel cutting and surface treatment services for the region’s thriving automotive industry. (NAFTA Works, October 2011)
• Software: Microsoft Corp. inaugurated a new Microsoft Technology Center in Mexico City this month.  The center, the first of its kind in Latin America, will be used to train software developers and test advanced products.  Microsoft is projecting investment of over US$600 million in Mexico in the coming years. (Fox News Latino, October 5, 2011)
• Food processing: Swiss confectionary Barry Callebaut revealed plans to acquire a chocolate producing plant in Toluca, Mexico, from its strategic partner Grupo Turin.   The European chocolate maker plans to invest US$30 million over the next three years to boost production at its Mexico facilities. (El Universal, September 21, 2011)
• Telecommunications: The Mexican market for smart phones is on track to grow 78% in 2011, according to market researchers IDC.  Mexico is the second largest market in Latin America for the devices, with sales of over 7 million units projected for this year. (Mexican Business Web, October 7, 2011)
• Food processing: Mexican coffee processor CAFESCA inaugurated a new US$43 million freeze-drying plant in the southern state of Chiapas this month.  Mexico is among the world’s largest coffee producers, with Chiapas the country’s leading coffee producing state. (El Financiero, October 19, 2011)
• Aerospace: Mexico’s airline industry will require over 400 new passenger jets worth more than US$30 billion during the next 20 years, according to the 2010 – 2030 Global Market Forecast by Airbus.  Mexico is the European aircraft manufacturer’s second largest market in Latin America after Brazil, Airbus reported. (Reforma, October 28, 2011)
• Retail: Mexican corporate group FEMSA announced an expansion target of opening 3,000 new locations of its Oxxo convenience store format by the end of 2014.  The company currently operates over 9,000 Oxxo stores in Mexico. (El Financiero, October 18, 2011)
• Beverage: Freixenet Mexico, subsidiary of Spanish winemaker Freixenet, expanded its bottling plant in the central state of Queretaro through investment of US$1.4 million, the company revealed.  The upgrade doubled bottling capacity from 1,000 to 2,000 bottles of wine per hour. (Reforma, October 31, 2011)
• Aerospace: France-based Eurocopter announced plans to build a new manufacturing plant in the central state of Queretaro, home to Mexico’s largest aerospace cluster.  The US$100 million facility is planned to produce helicopter and aircraft components such as tail booms, vertical stabilizers and doors. (Corporate Jet Investor, October 27, 2011)

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Reports on some recent and upcoming investment collected from the local business media:

• Beverage: Mexico’s leading beer producer, Grupo Modelo, announced plans to invest US$400 million in 2011 in upgrades and expansion.  Resources are earmarked for improvements to the company’s production plant in Coahuila and to support market share gains in the U.S., Canadian and Australian markets.
• Automotive: Italian tire maker Pirelli is initiating construction on a new US$210 million production facility in Mexico’s central state of Guanajuato.  The major plant will produce car and truck tires for the domestic Mexican market as well as for the rest of North America.
• Food processing: Snack food and beverage giant PepsiCo inaugurated a new Financial Services Center in Mexico City.  The US$2.7 million facility, which will handle financial and administrative corporate operations for Central America and the Caribbean, is part of the company’s five-year plan to invest US$3 billion in the region in infrastructure and community relations.
• Energy: Spanish energy conglomerate Gas Natural Fenosa revealed upcoming investment plans for Mexico including approximately US$60 million for natural gas distribution projects and US$50 million for electricity generation.  The company’s electricity generating capacity in Mexico represents 15% of the country’s independent production capacity, according to their own estimates.
• Information technology: Tech giant IBM recently opened a new Innovation Center in the Santa Fe area of Mexico City.  The center, which joins the company’s global network of 39 such sites, provides services such as training and testing facilities, consulting, technical infrastructure and marketing assistance.
• Logistics: French processed foods maker Danone inaugurated a new US$24 million distribution center in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato.  The facility, which reportedly includes the largest refrigeration system in Mexico, will boost distribution of the company’s yogurt and bottled water products in the country.
• Autoparts: U.S.-based autoparts manufacturer Delphi Packard began construction on a new production plant in the northern state of Durango.  The US$11 million facility is planned to manufacture electrical parts and harnesses. Delphi already operates 43 other plants in Mexico.
• Aerospace: Mexican manufacturing facilitator American Industries plans to build a new aerospace-focused industrial park in the central state of Queretaro.  The planned US$80 million AeroTech Industrial Park will support the state’s continually expanding aerospace manufacturing cluster.
• Real estate: Mexican commercial real estate developer Mexico Retail Properties (MRP) will initiate construction next month on two new shopping centers in Mexico City.  The two developments, representing investment of US$250 million, will be among the first in Mexico to utilize Asian-style vertical distribution.
• Aerospace: Canadian aerospace manufacturer Héroux-Devtek announced it will build a new production plant in the Parque Aeronáutico Querétaro in Central México.  The US$21 million facility, which joins Querétaro’s burgeoning aerospace industry, will produce components principally for Canadian aircraft maker Bombardier.

Reports on some recent and upcoming investment collected from the local business media:

• Beverage:  Mexican beverage giant and retailer FEMSA announced plans for US$750 worth of investment this year.  The lion’s share of the funds will go toward upgrades and expansions of bottling plants, while the remainder will support the company’s Oxxo chain of convenience stores.
• Automotive:  Chinese autoparts maker Minth opened a manufacturing plant in the northern state of Aguascalientes.  The plant, representing a total investment of US$16 million, is planned to supply molding and interior components to Nissan, Ford, Chrysler and Fiat plants in Mexico.
• Mining: Mining companies operating in Mexico will invest a combined US$13.8 billion through 2012, according to the Mexican Mining Chamber (Camimex).  The chamber projected that expansions and upgrades of operations in mining zones will contribute toward improvements in roads, electrification, potable water and other basic infrastructure in the areas.
• Automotive: Industry sources reported that Chrysler and Fiat plan to jointly produce a new model of SUV at the companies’ plant in Toluca, State of Mexico.  The model would join two other new compact models reported planned by Fiat for production at the Toluca plant.
• Automotive: German autoparts manufacturer Continental projected it will invest US$10 – 12 million this year, principally in equipment and software.  Continental is anticipating sales growth of 20% in 2010 as the automotive industry recovers from last year’s downturn.
• Electronics: Chipmaker Intel announced investment plans in the area of US$200 million over the next three years in support of its Guadalajara operations.  Planned projects include expansion of the company’s Design Center, the creation of a children’s technology museum and a center to promote relationships with small and medium sized Mexican firms.
• Renewable energy: The Inter-American Development Bank announced financing for four new wind farms for the generation of electricity to begun in 2012.  Total investment in the projects is projected at US$5 billion.