WTech Announces US$201 million Investment in Jalisco

Vehicle security company WTech will invest US$201 million to build a new assembly plant in Guadalajara, Jalisco. At the beginning, the plant will be exclusively dedicated to the production of tactical military vehicles for Dutch company Defenture B.V. and Kia-branded electric buses for urban use. 

“It is estimated that [the plant] will occupy an area of 12 hectares for manufacturing, represent an investment of US$201 million and create over 4,000 direct and indirect jobs, which will greatly benefit the automotive cluster of the entity,” said Roberto Arechederra Pacheco, Head, Ministry of Economic Development (SEDECO).

In the first stage, the assembly plant will have the capacity to produce over 1,000 vehicles under the highest quality European standards, said Valente Espinoza Contreras, Director of Operations, WTech. The company is still determining the plant’s final location but the Logistics Center of Jalisco at Acatlan de Juarez seems to be the most viable option. The assembly plant is expected to begin operations in late 2023.  

WTech’s new plant aims to maximize the use of local suppliers, which will also be given priority. The company aims for 70 percent of its supplier base to be composed of local or regional SMEs. “WTech will support companies that carry out small or medium scale production of parts required for the assembly of buses and tactical vehicles, as long as they comply with the international quality standards and certifications by which WTech is governed,” said Espinoza Contreras.

Enrique Alfaro, Governor of Jalisco, has repeatedly highlighted the importance of foreign investment in the state, which reported a 107 percent increase in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) during 1Q22 when compared to the same period last year. This figure sets Jalisco as the second largest receptor of FDI in Mexico. During May and June 2022, the state expects to receive US$650 million in FDI while also creating over 10,000 new jobs. 

WTech will also create strategic alliances with Mexican universities to generate and strengthen national technology and create economic stability and better jobs, reports the San Diego Red. These measures go hand in hand with better quality life for workers and their families.