Automotive manufacturing moving to Mexico

More good news for Leon, Guanajuato Mexico.

Geely Automotive is going to set up operations, including 2000 direct jobs and initial investment of USD $ 130 M over three years. Link

The first and second tier suppliers are expected to bring the total investment of the plant and industrial park into the USD $ 250 M range.

Not only is there opportunity in Mexico for Geely, but this location provides easy access to the USA and Latin American markets.

Related Links

Edmunds Inside Line

Geely Automotive Holdings Limited

Mexico goes back to "normal" today

Today most private and public schools begin the new 2008 - 2009 year in Mexico.

This means chaos returns to city streets during the rush hours of 7-9 AM and 2-4 PM as families begin the daily commute.

Learning the route, timing of the stop lights, finding the drop off zones, sleepy kids, new Mom's and Dad's unaccustomed to the new routine...it's all crazy, frustrating, full of excitement...and lasts about a week.

Bit of advice. If working in Mexico during this week, modify your commute and travel hours to miss all this. Spend a bit more time at breakfast, or work out of the hotel business center.

What business problems did you have when working with Mexico and Mexican businesses?

I am compiling a list of actual problems that businesses and business people have confronted while working with Mexico and Mexican businesses .

These might be problems related to: clear communications, continuity, language difficulty, cultural differences, work ethic and priorities, corruption, speed and efficiency, infrastructure, education, crime and insecurity, laws, finance and capital, risk acceptance, understanding of the business issue, health issues, travel and transportation, on-time performance, “know-how”, etc.

Your comments and problems highlighted may be used for a series of articles in my blogs.

Please let me know if I can use your name and any excepts of your response in my blog, or if you prefer your comments to be confidential (confidential replies should be sent to lee.iwan at gmail.com.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Links of interest

Business South of the Border

How to do business in Mexico

International footwear buyers, meet Mexican footwear manufacturers

Footwear buyers and sourcing professionals seeking international manufacturers and suppliers should take a look at this great offer from COFOCE (the World Trade Commission of Guanajuato, Mexico) for the upcoming SAPICA 2008 international footwear and leather goods trade fair, Sept. 25-28 held in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico.

The are offering free appointment and agenda creation servicces to qualified international buyers seeking to find new sourcing partners in Mexico for footwear and leather goods.

This would include mens's dress shoes, men's casual shoes, men's sport shoes, women's dress shoes, women's casual shoes, women's sport shoes, orthopedic shoes, children's shoes, baby shoes, specialty shoes, western boots, cowboy boots, belts, bags, western accessories and other leather goods.

Seeking to find contract manufacturers in Mexico? COFOCE can simplify your visit by pre-screening manufacturers and factories and having your appointments and agenda ready for productive meetings when you arrive for the SAPICA Fair.

What do you have to do to take advantage of this opportunity? Just drop an email to promotion.sapica@cofoce.gob.mx and they will assign a footwear industry specialist to match your needs with qualified Mexican suppliers.

Interested in meeting and exploring the business opportunities with Mexican shoe factories? This is the easiest, most effective and most focused way to meet your future suppliers and partners....it's win-win for everyone involved.

Contact Lee at promotion.sapica@cofoce.gob.mx

Links of Interest

SAPICA 2008

COFOCE

Mexican Footwear and Shoe Manufacturing

Leon, Guanajuato

The footwear and leather goods fair - Mexico - SAPICA 2008

SAPICA 2008 Spring/Summer

September 25 – 28, 2008

Poliforum Convention Center

Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico

promotion.sapica@cofoce.gob.mx

COFOCE, the World Trade Commission of Guanajuato, would like to invite you to attend the SAPICA Spring/Summer shoe fair in Leon, Guanajuato Mexico on September 25-28, 2008.

COFOCE is offering free individualized introduction and agenda services to qualified foreign buyers and visitors attending SAPICA 2008 in order to increase their chances of doing business during the fair.

COFOCE’S international trade experts will assist you in: making an agenda and appointments during the fair, translation (if required), pre-screening contacts and will provide detailed information about doing business with the Mexican footwear industry.

COFOCE will save your business time and money by allowing you to focus and negotiate with pre-screened Mexican footware manufacturers during SAPICA 2008 that can meet your needs and requirements.

If you are selling, investigating and sourcing men’s, women’s, children’s, or western footwear, or seeking manufacturers or contract manufacturing for your brand or designs, SAPICA 2008 is one event that should not be missed.

Take advantage of this special offer from COFOCE and SAPICA to find suppliers and partners in Mexico in order to maximize profits in 2009.

Contact Lee Iwan at promotion.sapica@cofoce.gob.mx for more detailed information.

What is SAPICA? SAPICA is the most important shoe fair in Latin America, drawing international buyers from the USA, Canada, Europe, Japan, and throughout Central and South America. The September edition will be featuring the Spring-Summer fashion for 2009.

How big is SAPICA? Last year’s fair drew over 850 exhibitors, +12,000 buyers and +35,000 visitors under one roof at the 484,000 sq. ft. modern Poliforum exhibition center in Leon.

Who should attend SAPICA? Footwear buyers and executives, purchasing agents, distributors, brand managers, agents, representatives, designers and anyone involved in the international footwear industry.

Why attend SAPICA? Mexico offers excellent competitive advantages including: Excellent logistics to the North American markets, quality components, current technology, know how, strong legal system and trademark protection, Free Trade agreements with 42 countries including USA, Canada, the European Union, Japan, and Israel among others.

How to get to SAPICA? Leon is located in the geographic center of Mexico and is served by American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Mexicana, Aeromexico, Click, and Aviacsa. There are numerous direct daily flights to Leon (BJX) from Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Tijuana and Mexico City.

Where to stay during SAPICA? Leon offers numerous hotels with close proximity to the Poliforum Convention center including: Fiesta Americana, Holiday Inns, Real de Minas, La Estancia, Fiesta Inn, Mexico Inns, NE Hotel, Howard Johnson, Radisson, Enterprise Inn and many more.

When is SAPICA? SAPICA 2008 will be held September 25, 26, 27 and 28, 2008. Show is open to visitors and buyers on Thursday to Saturday from 9:00 AM until 8:00 PM, and Sunday from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM.

How can I register for SAPICA? Contact Lee Iwan at promotion.sapica@cofoce.gob.mx for more detailed information on how COFOCE can organize your visit.

Links of Interest

COFOCE – http://www.cofoce.gob.mx

SAPICA – http://www.sapica.com

Hotels in Leon, Guanajuato - http://www.squidoo.com/leonhotels

How to do business in Mexico – http://businesssob.blogspot.com

Promexico, Buy in Mexico – http://www.buyinmexico.com.mx

Promexico, Invest in Mexico – http://www.investinmexico.com.mx