Information collected from media reports over the past month:

• Retail: USA-based apparel marketer Warnaco revealed plans to open approximately 30 new stores in Mexico over the next two years.  Mexico sales were up by 39% through the first half of 2011 for the marketer of brands such as Calvin Klein and Speedo. (Reforma, August 25, 2011)
• Logistics: Mexican cargo terminal operator Ferrovalle Intermodal announced a US$10 million expansion to its rail cargo handling facilities in Mexico City to be carried out this year.  The addition of 25 developed acres to the terminal will increase annual handling capacity to over 550,000 containers and speed last-mile deliveries. (Reforma, August 1, 2011)
• Entertainment: Mexico City’s largest film studio, Estudios Churubusco, will expand with the construction of a new post-production building.  The investment of approximately US$20 million will include over 30,000 square feet of digital laboratory space, production warehousing and offices. (Reforma, September 6, 2011)
• Infrastructure: Spanish infrastructure developer OHL Group, through its environmental subsidiary Inima, will build and operate a large-scale desalination plant in the northern Mexican state of Baja California.  The US$41 million facility is planned to produce 275 million cubic feet of potable water annually. (Reforma, September 7, 2011)
• Energy: Spanish renewable energy developer Siliken will invest US$20 million initially to build and launch a 100 MW solar power plant in the northern state of Durango.  The project is planned to include a research and development center in addition to generating electricity. (Milenio, September 8, 2011)
• Autoparts: Japanese industrial automation manufacturer Omron Corporation will invest US$30 million to build a new production plant in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato.   The facility will join recently announced new factories to be built by Honda and Mazda in Guanajuato’s growing automotive industry. (El Sol de Irapuato, August 27, 2011)
• Biotechnology: Mexican agricultural biotechnology laboratory Biosustenta inaugurated a new plant to produce biofertilizers in the western state of Michoacán.  The US$1.3 million facility will use mycorrhizal fungi and other bacterias to produce the fertilizers.  Biosustenta currently exports product to the United States, Canada and Europe. (El Financiero, August 30, 2011)
• Infrastructure: Quintana Roo state port authority Apiqroo will oversee the construction of a new cruise ship dock on the tourist island of Cozumel.  The US$40 million terminal is planned to serve the growing traffic of cruise ships to the resort island south of Cancun. (El Financiero August 30, 2011)
• Mining: Mexican mining concern Minera Autlán revealed plans to invest US$300 – 400 million over the next five years in a range of expansion initiatives.  Projects to be carried out include development of a new manganese mine, construction of a new ferroalloys plant and diversification of their manganese products to serve additional industries. (Reforma, September 9, 2011)
• Energy: Spanish energy developer Preneal will construct a wind-powered electricity generation plant in the northern state of Zacatecas, state officials announced.  The US$300 million project is projected to have an installed capacity of 100 MW. (Milenio, September 4, 2011)
• Electronics: USA-based Spellman High Voltage Electronics Corp. inaugurated a new manufacturing and testing plant in the border city of Matamoros.  The US$15 million facility will provide additional capacity for the production of power supplies and X-ray generators as well as testing for Spellman’s other production plants. (El Mañana de Reynosa, August 18, 2011)
• Food processing: U.S.-based PepsiCo is nearing completion of a new Advanced Baking center under construction at the Research and Technology Innovation Park in the north eastern state of Nuevo León.  The US$20 million facility will develop new baked products for the company’s Gamesa and Quaker brands. (Reforma, September 13, 2011)
• Chemicals: Mexican industrial group Grupo Cydsa announced plans to invest over US$100 million to build two new manufacturing plants and expand a third.  The new facilities will produce bleach, caustic soda and other chemical products, while expansion is planned for the company’s existing salt refinery in the Gulf state of Veracruz. (El Financiero, September 13, 2011)
• Retail: Upscale Mexican department store chain Liverpool will invest up to US$450 million to open seven new stores in Mexico in 2012.  Same-store sales rose 8.4% in 1H11 for the leading retailer and mall operator. (CNN Expansión, September 13, 2011)
• Manufacturing: Danish toymaker Lego announced plans to invest US$100 million in its manufacturing plant located in Monterrey, Nuevo León.  The resources are earmarked to expand capacity at the facility, which makes products for the Mexican market as well as for export to the USA and Canada.  Lego sales in Mexico are growing by double digit percentages annually. (El Financiero, September 14, 2011)
• Energy: Mexican energy consortium Baja Sun energy will invest over US$500 million to develop a major complex in Baja California that will manufacture solar panels as well as generate solar electricity.  Investors include Arima Eco Group of Taiwan, joint U.S.-Mexican solar developer Silicon Border and Mexican specialized builders Grupo Maíz. (San Francisco Chronicle, September 12, 2011)
• Retail: U.S.-based DIY retailer The Home Depot announced planned investment of US$260 million in Mexico by the end of 2012.  The resources will support the opening of 13 new stores in the country to reach a total 100 locations. (Reforma, September 22, 2011)
• Pharmaceutical: Mexican pharmaceutical laboratory Landsteiner Scientific began construction on a new research center in the central city of Toluca to be built at a cost of approximately US$37 million.  The site is planned to include facilities for research as well as the production and distribution of medications. (Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, September 20, 2011)

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• Automotive: U.S. auto maker General Motors announced US$900 million in additional investment in Mexico in the coming years.  The resources are planned to expand production capabilities at various of the company’s plants in the country.
• Manufacturing: British-Dutch consumer goods giant Unilever inaugurated a new manufacturing plant in the state of Morelos, near Mexico City.  The US$84 million facility will produce personal care products for the brands Axe, Dove and Rexona.
• Tourism: Mexican hotel operator Grupo Posadas will invest US$140 million this year in new hotel projects in Mexico.  With tourism showing signs of recovery after the long economic downturn, Posadas’ Mexican investment is part of a total US$400 million projected by the company for new projects throughout Latin America.
• Wind power: The Mexican subsidiary of U.S.-based Cannon Power Group revealed plans to invest US$2.5 billion to develop three new wind farms in Mexico.  The newly created Mexico Power group plans generating plants with combined capacity over 300 MW for the states of Baja California, Zacatecas and Quintana Roo.
• Metals: Chilean metals processor Molymet will invest US$135 million to build a new production plant in Sonora, Mexico.  The new plant will add to the company’s existing molybdenum processing infrastructure in the state.
• Food processing: Leading Mexican meat processor SuKarne will invest US$270 million to build a large production facility in the north eastern state of Nuevo Leon.  The project is planned to include livestock raising facilities, a feed plant, a federally certified slaughterhouse, a packing plant, a distribution center and a rail shipping link.
• Paper: Chilean paper producer CMPC will open a new paper bag manufacturing plant in Guadalajara, Mexico.  The US$20.4 million facility is projected to begin operations in early 2012 with annual production capacity of 40,000 tons.
• Construction: Plans for US$ 2.3 billion worth of new office tower construction along Mexico City’s Reforma business corridor were revealed during the World Office Forum conference in Mexico City this month.  At least 13 new towers are slated for construction by 2014.
• Automotive: Volkswagen Mexico invested US$400 million to redesign its Puebla, Mexico plant for the production of the new Beetle model automobile.  The company is projecting output of 100,000 units of the model for next year, principally for export to the United States, Europe and China.
• Retail: U.S.-based grocery and general merchandise retailer H-E-B plans to invest US$23 million in 2012 to capitalize on its strong growth in the Mexican market.  Sales at the chain’s Mexican stores, which currently number 39, were up 12% overall through the first half of 2011.
• Mining: Mexican mining firm Grupo Peñoles inaugurated its new El Saucito silver mine in the northern state of Zacatecas.  Total investment in the new mine and processing plant is estimated at over US$300 million.
• Logistics: Mexican intermodal freight terminal operator Intermodal Mexico will invest US$20 million in infrastructure upgrades to handle strong growth in demand for container management.  Resources are earmarked for container handling equipment, cranes and information management systems.
• Electronics: U.S.-based audio electronics manufacturer Harman is building a new production facility in the central state of Queretaro.  The plant, to be completed next month at a cost of approximately US$75 million, will produce audio systems for automobiles.
• Cosmetics: French cosmetics giant L’Oreal will invest US$50 million in the construction of a new manufacturing plant in the northeastern state of San Luís Potosí.  The new facility, the company’s second in Mexico, is planned to produce hair coloring products for the Mexican market as well as for export to the United States and elsewhere in Latin America.
• Telecommunications: Mexican beverage bottler Coca Cola-FEMSA is investing US$3 million to open a new contact center in the State of Mexico, just outside Mexico City.  The center is planned to handle 10,000 customer service calls daily from the surrounding states.
• Aerospace: British heat treatment specialist Bodycote announced recently it will open a new technical facility in the northwestern state of Sonora.  The plant will provide advanced thermal processing services to aerospace manufacturers in the area. The states of Sonora, Chihuahua and Baja California form Mexico’s largest aerospace manufacturing cluster with over 100 companies between them.

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

• Energy: U.S. energy giant General Electric inaugurated an advanced research center in the central Mexican state of Queretaro.  The US$20 million facility, located close to one of Mexico’s leading aerospace clusters, will contribute to the design of airplane turbines and power generation systems.
• Retail: Mexico’s leading retailer, Wal-Mart de Mexico, revealed plans to invest US$1.2 billion in Mexico in 2011.  The record-setting amount will help cover the opening of a projected 365 new retail locations across the company’s formats.
• Electronics: German electronics manufacturer Siemens is investing a combined US50 million in new assembly and testing infrastructure in the central state of Queretaro.  The facilities will produce equipment for high voltage systems as well as contribute to new product development.
• Manufacturing: Construction is underway on the fifth Mexico plant of Dutch lighting products manufacturer Philips.  The new facility, located in the northeastern city of Monterrey, is planned to produce lighting equipment for residential, industrial, commercial and municipal applications.
• Transport: Kansas City Southern railroad’s Mexico subsidiary announced plans to invest US$125 million in upgrades this year.  The 2011 resources, an increase over 2010, are earmarked for infrastructure development, railway network maintenance and the purchase of equipment and technology.
• Retail: Leading Mexican grocery and general merchandise chain Soriana will invest US$300 million to open new stores in 2011, the company announced.  Planned store openings include aggressive expansion of the chain’s downscale “Soriana Express” format.
• Food processing: Food and beverage giant Pepsico will invest US$40 million in Mexico over the next seven years to expand the cultivation of sunflower.  Oil from the plants will be used in the production of the company’s baked goods under the brands Sabritas, Gamesa and Quaker.
• Beverage: Coca Cola bottler KOF, subsidiary of the Mexican beverage conglomerate FEMSA, announced US$500 million in investments planned for Mexico in 2011.   The bottler posted strong earnings in 2010 and in evaluating further expansion into Central and South America in the near term.
• Autoparts: Japanese rubber maker Kinugawa Rubber Industrial Co. inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in the central state of Guanajuato.  The US$10 million plant will produce rubber, plastic and resin parts as well as insulation and hoses for local auto makers.
• Mining: Fresnillo, a division of Mexican mining group Peñoles, plans to invest US$800 million in upcoming expansion and exploration.  US$250 million of the resources are earmarked for exploration in central Mexico, as Fresnillo seeks to become the world’s largest producer of silver.
• Food processing: Mexican food processing giant Grupo Herdez will open a new distribution center in the state of Mexico in 2011.  The US$80 million facility will become the company’s 10^th distribution center in the country, in addition to 10 production plants.
• Aviation: Mexican airline Aviacsa has invested US$40 million in preparation for its return to commercial passenger operations, following suspension of activities in 2009 due to financial problems.  Resources have been channeled into preparation of aircraft, outfitting of hangars, offices and maintenance facilities and personnel training, among other needs.
• Clean energy: The Mexico City Police Department (PGJDF) acquired a fleet  of 23 new electric-powered vehicles to replace gasoline-powered vehicles being taken out of circulation.  The electric cars are projected to save the agency approximately US$4,000 per month in gasoline costs.
• Hospitality: Some 19 hotel construction or remodeling projects will generate over US$190 million in investment in Mexico City this year, according to the Mexico City Hotel Owners Association.  Particular emphasis is being placed on boutique and express hotel formats at this time.
• Steel: Argentinian steel maker Ternium began construction on a major new production plant in the northeastern state of Nuevo León.  Plans call for US$2.3 billion in investment overall in the facilty, which will produce high quality steel for use by regional auto manufacturers.
• Cement: Swiss cement maker Grupo Holcim’s Mexico subsidiary Holcim Apasco inaugurated a new production facility in the northern state of Sonora this month.  The US$400 million facility includes cutting-edge technologies for renewable energy generation, waste recycling and overall mitigation of environmental impact.
• Aerospace: Federal and state governments will team up to invest US$50 million to build Mexico’s first aerospace testing laboratory in the central state of Queretaro.  The facility will allow manufacturers of the area’s booming aerospace sector to have their products tested locally with international validity rather than sending them to the United States for certification.
• Clean energy: Mexican beverage giant FEMSA will lead a group of investors in building a new wind power generation plant in the southern state of Oaxaca.  The US$90 million project planned to include 132 wind generators to produce capacity of 396 Mw.
• Steel: Mexican steel maker Grupo Villacero inaugurated a new steel service center and helical tubing plant in the northeastern state of Nuevo Leon, built at a cost of US$107 million.  The center is the first of four such facilities planned for construction by 2015.

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.

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

• Plastics:  The Manufacturing Industry Chamber of Nuevo Leon (Caintra) announced an initial US$1 million investment to build the Mexican Institute for Technological Innovation in Plastic and Rubber in the Monterrey area.
• Electronics: IBM formally inaugurated new manufacturing installations in Jalisco developed at an estimated cost of US$20 million.  The facilities are intended specifically for the production of IBM’s high-end XIV Storage Systems for export to the United States, Europe and other areas.
• Toys: Spanish toy manufacturer and retailer Imaginarium announced ambitious plans to expand operations in Mexico with an initial investment of US$1.6 million.  The company plans to open over 40 new retail locations in the country by 2013, in addition to potentially manufacturing in Mexico.
• Retail: Despite underwhelming economic recovery, Mexico’s top retailer Wal-Mart de Mexico announced plans to invest over US$900 million this year.  The plans include the opening of 300 new locations across the company’s various retail formats and the remodeling of existing stores.
• Mining: Canadian mining company First MajesticSilver Corp. opened a mineral processing plant in the northern state of Coahuila in late 2009.  The US$22 million plant will produce gold and silver.
• Healthcare: The Mexican government announced plans to undertake a formal program to promote Mexico as a destination for ‘medical tourism.’  Medical services to foreigners traveling to Mexico for this purpose were valued at an estimated US$122 million in 2009, and the government projects that the promotional campaign will boost the sector to over US$1 billion by 2015.
• Retail: Leading grocery and general merchandise retailer Soriana announced investment plans worth US$300 million for 2010.  The firm’s expansion program for this year includes construction of 40 new stores.
• Automotive: Chrysler de México announced it will begin production of the new model Fiat 500 at the Chrysler’s Toluca, Mexico plant in December.  The company reported investment of US$550 million in advance of the new production program.
• Retail: DIY retailer Lowe’s finally opened its first two stores in Mexico in February 2010, following investment of US$100 million during an extended preparation process.  Lowe’s Mexico operation has plans in the works for three more stores in the medium term.
• Research: A US$200 million Research and Technological Innovation Park is set to begin operations in Monterrey by the end of this year.  The high technology research center will include sites for high profile companies such as Motorola and PepsiCo, and Mexican industry leaders Sigma Alimentos and Xignux.  Research areas will include nanotechnology, advanced materials, biotechnology and software, among others.
• Food Processing: Mexican snack foods manufacturer Bokados announced investment plans of approximately US$8 million in 2010 as part of an aggressive market expansion strategy.  The plans for this year include opening the company’s third production facility.
• Automotive: Chinese light truck maker ZX Auto will begin investing a planned US$100 million this year in the construction of a new manufacturing plant in the north western state of Baja California, according to state officials.  Baja California’s automotive manufacturing sector includes approximately 80 companies, including parts makers and maquiladoras.
• Paper: Consumer goods giant Kimberly-Clark’s Mexico subsidiary plans to invest US$100 million in plant and process upgrades this year in anticipation of a rebound in demand following a down 2009.  The company is projecting 7% sales growth in Mexico this year.

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

• Automotive:  Nissan and Volkswagen have announced plans to begin production on new models in Mexico this year, expanding current production.  Nissan will build a new compact model at its Aguascalientes plant, in addition to adding production of its new Micra model also at the Aguascalientes location.  Volkswagen will launch production of a mid-size sedan as well as new models of the Beetle and Jetta at its Puebla facility.
• Electronics: Electronics industry leaders Samina-SCI and Hewlett Packard have announced plans to expand operations this year in Jalisco state, site of Mexico’s leading electronics cluster.  Sanmina projects investment of US$10 million in new machinery and equipment for manufacturing, and Hewlett Packard is investing US$5 million in infrastructure upgrades to expand staff at its Center of Excellence in Guadalajara.
• Manufacturing: Danish cleaning equipment manufacturer Nilfisk opened a US$10 million facility in the central state of Queretaro.  The new plant will produce industrial cleaning machines.
• Airports: Airport operator Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico announced planned investment of approximately US$42 million for this year in infrastructure upgrades.  Of the group’s 12 airports in Mexico, those at Guadalajara and Los Cabos are slated to receive the largest share of the upgrade investment.
• Electrics: French electric equipment and process control component manufacturer Schneider Electric inaugurated a new Technology Innovation Center in the north eastern industrial city of Monterrey.  The new center, which will simulate various applications for Schneider equipment such as industrial automation, critical power and energy efficiency, joins the company’s existing facilities in Monterrey and Mexico City.
• Railroad: Mexico’s cargo railroad operators have announced investment plans totaling over US$325 million for 2010.  Operators such as Kansas City Southern de Mexico, Ferromex, Ferrosur, Ferrovalle and Ferroistmo plan to boost spending this year in areas such as maintenance, infrastructure development and expansion, urban facilities and new technology, among others.
• Automotive: Ford de Mexico announced joint investment together with its suppliers of US$3.1 billion to produce the new model Fiesta at Ford’s Cuautitlan plant outside Mexico City.  Production of the new model is slated to begin sometime around mid-2010.
• Renewable energy: The Mexican government’s Shared Risk Fund (Firco) plans an aggressive program of rural renewable energy infrastructure installation to be financed with support from the World Bank and the Global Environment Fund.  The Sustainable Rural Development Program includes plans to acquire and install 500 thermal solar systems, 300 biodigesters and 100 photovoltaic energy systems, in addition to carrying out 180 analyses of agricultural energy efficiency by 2012.