Jugos del Valle to Invest US$85M in Jalisco Plant Expansion

Jugos del Valle–Santa Clara, part of the Mexican Coca-Cola Industry (IMCC), announced an US$85 million investment to expand its beverage production facility in Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco. The funding will go toward the second phase of the plant’s expansion, aimed at adding two new production lines for non-carbonated beverages, juices and nectars. The new operations are expected to create approximately 700 direct jobs, the company said in a statement.

“This expansion is the result of the support and joint work between our company and all levels of government,” said Juan Carlos Jaramillo, General Manager, Jugos del Valle–Santa Clara. “With this second phase, we want to strengthen our commitment to continue driving development in Lagos de Moreno and across the region.”

The project is part of Coca-Cola’s larger footprint in Mexico, where it operates through eight bottling groups, including Arca Continental and Coca-Cola FEMSA. Together with its recycling plants IMER and PetStar, the group has 73 factories nationwide, generating more than 106,000 formal jobs and contributing nearly 2% of the country’s GDP, according to the company.

Denisse Gaona, Coca-Cola Mexico’s Vice President for Non-Carbonated Beverages, emphasized the network’s impact on the national economy.

During the ceremony, Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus and Lagos de Moreno Mayor Édgar González highlighted the importance of the investment for regional growth. “These investments represent growth for the industry and strength for the regional economy. The Mexican Coca-Cola Industry sees Jalisco as one of the most important states for continued development,” Lemus said.

Investing in Young Professionals

In related news, MBN reported last week that Coca-Cola FEMSA, the world’s largest Coca-Cola bottler by sales volume, is strengthening its investment in young professionals across Latin America through programs focused on training, inclusion, and leadership development.

In 2024, the company generated 31,196 new jobs, with 80% of these positions taken by people between the ages of 18 and 34. Currently, women hold 31.8% of leadership roles and 13.9% of positions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). These efforts align with Coca-Cola FEMSA’s long-term objective of reaching 40% female leadership by 2030.

To nurture talent at various stages of professional growth, the company has created specialized programs. Among them are First Talent, which provides mentorship and practical projects for university students; New Leaders, designed to prepare high-potential recent graduates; and International Masters, which connects postgraduate students from US and European universities with the organization. In addition, the company collaborates with governments and academic institutions to expand access to internships and professional training.

In 2024 alone, more than 5,000 women joined Coca-Cola FEMSA, accounting for 16% of new hires. These initiatives are particularly aimed at expanding opportunities in fields such as logistics, technology, commercial operations, and supply chain management.