Guanajuato to Become a “Mindfacturing” Valley

Guanajuato State Governor Diego Sinhue introduced the "Mindfacturing Valley" strategy, which will pave the way for economic, industrial and educational development for the next 50 years. "Mindfacturing is not only a campaign slogan; it is a public policy with social, economic, educational, environmental and governmental targets," said the state government on a statement.

As part of this strategy, the government will provide training to over 800 families of social business models and to over 20,000 students of entrepreneurship and innovation. The plan also includes the creation of 400 business opportunities based on open-source patents, the launch of 25 intra-entrepreneurship projects across state's industry clusters and the incubation of 300 tech startups. The state government is also planning 250 entrepreneurial events, several digital villages and 60 'entrepreneurial gymnasiums.' 

"We need to set innovation and entrepreneurship at the center of Guanajuato to improve people’s income, life quality and living environments. In the manufacturing valley, everyone has a place: the student, the entrepreneur, the SMEs, the businessman and the professionals, rural and urban communities too. Guanajuato is the most important logistic point in Mexico and today is the starting point for innovation. It is the epicenter of the ideas, a place filled with opportunities," said the Government during the presentation of the program. 

Guanajuato’s government will invest US$5 million in this purpose, setting the stage for the next five decades. "Three decades ago, Guanajuato was a whole different state and it has changed," said Sinhue. Back then, Guanajuato was an agricultural economy with US$300 million worth of exports. Now, the state manufactures goods for numerous industries, which account for more than US$24 billion.

The state is the crown jewel of the automotive industry, being home to Mazda, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen, GM and more than 500 global companies. The state has 37 industrial parks and 7 innovation parks, among other business accelerators. 

Investments continue to arrive to the state.

MBN had previously reported Le Bélier's US$68 million investment in the San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. This week, the company started the construction of its new plant, which will add to the state’s innovation ecosystem thanks to its comprehensive industry 4.0 capabilities. The plant will create 496 direct jobs.

Le Bélier is a specialist in cast aluminum foundry for the global automotive industry. Continental, ZF, Bosch, Borg Warner, BMW, Renault, Nissan and Daimler are among its main customers. The new plant will add to the company's existing foundry and mechanized sites in Queretaro.