A Global View of Manufacturing

Global trade is on the rise and that means that more businesses are looking to have their products manufactured by overseas firms in order to increase profitability. While there are many benefits to operating with an international manufacturing partner, it may seem an overwhelming or difficult option for small businesses or start-up organisations. Here is advice from the CEO of Tosh, a company that manufacturers London souvenirs with a balanced price-quality ratio. He shares his experience and professional tips above.

Microsoft Opens First Spanish-Language Center in Mexico

Via Mexico Today: Microsoft Corporation has opened its first technology center in Latin America that will provide technological resources to businesses in Mexico. The technology center is located in Mexico City and will provide training for an astonishing 2,300 software developers. Microsoft hopes to invest $690 million in Mexico in the upcoming year...in keeping with its investment plans, Microsoft has inaugurated its Spanish-language center this week.

Plastics Industry to Expand Greatly before End of Year

Did you know that the plastics industry in Mexico has generated 15,000 new jobs in Mexico? Eduardo Martinez Hernandez, Chairman of the Mexican Association of Plastics Industry or Asociacion Nacional de Industrias del Plastico (ANIPAC), informed that businessmen in this sector are expecting a 9% growth in Mexico, among the highest in productive sectors.

Mexico To Manufacture Aircraft with 100% Mexican Components

In the next ten years, Mexico will be manufacturing an aircraft made up of 100% domestic components. During a presentation at Mexico's Aerospace Summit in Chihuahua, Mexico, Luis Oliva, head of ProMexico's investment promotion and international business unit, said that foreign aerospace companies are investing more than $1 billion in manufacturing ventures in the country each year. As part of the Summit, representatives of the company Zodiac Aerospace signed an agreement to invest $14 million in the region's aerospace industry.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Shines in U.S. Slow Economy

According to studies found by NPD Group, the number of annual restaurant visits by a typical Millennial (person from 18-24 years old) has plummeted from 245 visits five years ago to 192 this year. As the economy in Europe and the U.S. lags, fast food restaurants are focusing on deals and cost-cutting measures again, something that can be challenging with high commodity costs and spikes in the price of some meats like pork. So what's Chipotle's secret? Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has managed to handle the downturn quite well because its tip-less at-the-counter service is more attractive to consumers trying to save money.

Greek Crisis Affects Mexican Peso Today

The 120-day correlation coefficient between Mexican bonds and Treasuries dropped to a nine-month low of 0.29 from a high of 0.57 last week.

Mexico’s bonds, the emerging-market securities most correlated with U.S. Treasuries, are no longer moving in lockstep with debt from its northern neighbor as Europe’s debt crisis curbs demand for all but the safest assets.

“We expect the European authorities to finally react,” said Alonso Madero, who helps manage about $5.5 billion at Corp. Actinver SAB, in a telephone interview from Mexico City. “We would expect confidence to return to the markets little by little and see the same correlation return.”

Euro Debt Crisis: Possible Bail-out from BRIC Nations?

Since the greek debt crisis began, economists and economic analysts alike have been thinking of new solutions to the economic debt crisis in Europe. One of the possible solutions being debated is whether it would make sense for the developing BRIC countries to step in and alleviate the crisis. Why? Well, the booming Bric nations alone have more than $4,000bn in reserves between them -- meaning they have the resources to fund a great deal of deficit.

As the Wall Street Journal reports today, national governments are suffering from skewed incentives, so that actions benefiting individual countries in the short term may hurt Europe as a whole in the future.

Apparently there are more negatives than positives to a BRIC nation bail-out: right now, Europe runs an account surplus. "By definition, this means that far from being starved of capital, European savings exceed European investment, and it exports the excess to the rest of the world. Any big increase in the amount of official foreign capital directed at purchasing the bonds of struggling European governments would inevitably cut the European trade surplus" -- one of Europe's major strengths at the moment.

If foreign central banks sold large amounts of dollars to buy euros, this would strengthen the euro against the dollar, making European manufacturers less competitive in the global trade market and their exports would drop, leading to multiple negative consequences such as higher unemployment in the region.

Click here to read more on the pros and cons of this new solution to the European debt crisis being debated.

Mexico follows Thailand, South Korea and Russia adding Gold Reserves to Its Coffers

Gold had its worst weekly performance in more than four months after investors sold metal alongside global equities and other commodities on growing concern that the global economy will enter a second phase of economic crisis. Global stocks entered a difficult market for the first time in more than two years this week: oil touched a six-week low and copper fell to the lowest level in a year, numbers that display worries that the debt crisis in Europe may escalate as the U.S. faces another recession. The Federal Reserve said Sept. 21 there are “significant downside risks” to the outlook. Although its value has decreased, last month Russia’s central bank increased its gold reserves from 27 million at the end of July to 27.2 million troy ounces. This Sept. 20, Bank Rossii joined Thailand, South Korea and Mexico in adding the metal to their coffers.

Spirited Business Travelers: Must-see Mezcalerias in Mexico City

Mexico is known for being the home of tequila as well as ice-cold, refreshing Micheladas. Now, however, what is most popular is the Mexican liquor called Mezcal, an agave-based spirit similar to tequila. What used to be demeaningly considered 'for construction workers', "now has a very good image", says Junior Merino, owner of a cocktail consultant company, The Liquid Chef. "What's trending now in Mexico is the mezcalerias," he adds explaining that, "A lot of people are opening places dedicated to mezcal, not tequila. You find artisanal products, different varieties; sometimes the bottles don't even have labels." Place like Nobu and China Grill are both trending in the renovated Santa Fe district of Mexico City.

Mexico's Booming Garment Manufacturing Industry

Did you know that not only is Mexico a leader in the automobile and aerospace engineering and manufacturing industries, but in the textile manufacturing business as well? According to data from Banxico (Banco de Mexico), the Mexican Chamber of Garments Industry, and Camara Nacional de la Industria del Vestido (Canaive), sales of clothing garments made in Mexico abroad are assisting national production levels from falling. Banxico’s data reveals that exports have started growing over the past 2 years; in the first half of 2010 they grew 5.3% and from January to June 2011 growth was 7.8%.

Italy's Credit Rating Lowered by Standard and Poor-Austerity Measures Labeled 'Insufficient'

Due to its higher-than-expected levels of government debt and weakening economic growth, Standard and Poor has lowered Italy's credit rating a notch - to "A/A-1" from "A+/A-1+." "We believe the reduced pace of Italy's economic activity to date will make the government's revised fiscal targets difficult to achieve," S&P said. The downgrade comes after the European Central Bank demanded this summer that Italy apply stiff austerity measures to calm investors facing doubts about how capable Italy is about handling its outrageous debt. Italy is the eurozone's No. 3 economy and has a deficit to gross domestic product ratio of 120 percent, one of Europe's highest. From NPR.org:

The bank has spent billions over the last month buying up Italian government bonds in a bid to lower Italy's borrowing costs and keep it from becoming the next eurozone nation to need an international bailout. The S&P downgrade, however, could lead to higher borrowing costs for Italy because it implies that investors face greater risks when buying Italian debt.

Mexican Soft Drink Company Coca-Cola Femsa to Acquire Grupo Cisma Bottler

Today, in Invest in Mexico news, it's been reported that Coca-Cola Femsa is going to buy local Mexican bottler company Grupo Cimsa. Putting refreshments in the hands of over 5 million people by working with over 70,000 retailers, Cimsa has been valued at $838 million by Coca-Cola Femsa. Read more about this piece of manufacturing news in the official release by the Mexican soft drink maker.

Nissan Investment in Mexico to Reach $328 Million

During the celebration of Nissan Mexicana’s 50th anniversary, President and CEO, Jose Muñoz, announced that the company will invest US$328 million more in their two plants in Mexico, located in Aguascalientes and Morelos. These resources will be allocated to manufacture new models like a multi-purpose vehicle based in V platform, which is assembled in the Aguascalientes plant, as well as the manufacturing of the Taxi of Tomorrow for New York City, which will be assembled at the CIVAC Plant located in Cuernavaca, Morelos and which is expected to be launched in 2013.

Latin American Stocks Rise on European Optimism for Greece

Latin American stocks rose yesterday after European leaders rallied to prevent a Greek default and stem the debt crisis in the euro zone. Volume in Mexico and Brazil remained in line with recent sessions and did not suggest that investors were flocking back to the region's stocks. "The message they wanted to portray is that Greece is and will remain part of the euro zone. They made it sound to me, as a pretty strong commitment from all sides," said Alberto Bernal, head of analysis at Bulltick Capital Markets in Miami.

Vegas Caters to Thousands of Mexican Visitors for Independence Day

At least six-thousand Mexicans will be flying in for the "Dieciseis de Septiembre" holiday (Mexican Independence Day) tomorrow -- and this figure doesn't even include the others that may be driving in. Casinos and hotels are eager to receive Mexican vacationers since these visitors normally stay in Las Vegas longer and spend more money-- $1,000 each, excluding gambling. Mexican visitors are eager to come to Las Vegas for vacation, a place that's close to home but at the same time has an international feel and is ready and eager to host this rush of visitors. "It's a vast amount of people coming in from Mexico," said McCarran International Airport spokesman, Chris Jones. "The airport's happy to accommodate them, obviously. (It) means money coming in and supporting our community, our economy and jobs."

Euro Debt Concerns Ease and Mexico Stocks Close Higher

After the emergency teleconference in which the European leaders spoke about ways to prevent the Greek default, Mexico's IPC index gained 2.1% for second-straight winning session. The talks taking place these past two days have eased the fears of the dreaded Greek default -- making Mexican stocks OHL Mexico, America Movil and Chedraui among the top gainers of the session.

Siemens Mexico: Over a century of accomplishments doing business in Mexico

Siemens Mesoamerica CEO Louise Goeser spoke with Mexico Today about why she considers Mexico to be the best place to invest. In this interview, Goeser unveils little-known realities about doing business in Mexico, including Mexico’s status as the world’s most open economy.

Mexico's New Anti-Venom: A Pharmaceutical Win From Mexico to the U.S. Market

Did you know that Scorpion stings can cause blurred vision, slurred speech, nauseas and even death? An anti-venom being produced in Mexico was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a scorpion sting treatment. The first drug of its kind approved by FDA, the accomplishment is a result of 12 years of research and development. Scorpion stings are seen most prominently in Arizona, Southern Nevada, and New Mexico, as well as in Mexico and Morrocco.

"Born in Italy, Made in Mexico, Sold in China"

Fiat, now owned by Chrysler, has been anticipating the official launch of the standard 500 model in the Chinese market. In order to prepare for this, the automaker unveiled the Fiat 500 First Edition at Shanghai, a special version limited to 100 units. The plant where this model is produced is located in Toluca, Mexico and was created at the cost of 550 million USD. Capable of producing 120,000 vehicles a year, half of the production of the small city car will be sent to the U.S. while the other half will be sent to Brazil and China. The special Fiat 500 First Edition model displays several custom graphics on its sides, created by Chinese designers to represent the link between Italy and China. Sales in China are due to begin this September 2011.

GE Technology to Provide More Power for Northern Mexico

GE has recently announced that at the Latin America Engineering, Procurement & Construction Summit in Mexico City (EPC) that it will provide two Frame 7FA Gas turbines and provide long-term services for the Norte II Combined-Cycle Power Plant. As part of an independent power project (IPP) scheduled to enter commercial operation in May 2013, the power plant, located in Chihuahua, Mexico, will increase the region’s supply of reliable power and lower-emissions output.