March 4

HIROSHI TAKAHASHI / THE SPECTATOR (El Sol de México pg. 6) Government subsidies to Mexican farms have always been received by the farmers, and a well-informed source tells us that large companies have often helped authorities to ensure these resources get to producers in a timely fashion. For example, we were told that “even during 2013-2018, large food producers in Mexico paid for harvests in advance, and on many occasions, they financed the government support that the government had to deliver to farmers.” Proof of this can be seen with the recent agreements signed by companies such as Bimbo, Gruma, and Nestlé with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center to support Mexico’s corn and wheat farmers.

March 12

AMONG BOSSES (El Financiero pg. 22) The top pick from Santander. Seguro was paying attention to the latest downgrade of Mexico’s GDP forecast by the OECD. The adjustment by this organization joins others made by the IMF, the Bank of Mexico, and brokerages like Goldman Sachs and BofA. Faced with an economic downturn in Mexico, strategists at Santander chose to include in their investment portfolio companies with strong cash creation, a solid financial structure, exposure to dollars, and no significant regulatory risk. Their top picks include,   Alsea, Arca Continental, BanBajío, Gruma, Grupo Cementos Chihuahua, and Vesta. The last pick, the corporation led by Renzo Casillo, is very defensive investment strategy. Would you stop buying from Burger King, Domino’s Pizza, or Starbucks during an economic slowdown?

March 20

GRUMA INCREASES PRODUCTION CAPACITY FOR TORTILLAS IN RUSSIA    https://www.opportimes.com/gruma-aumenta-su-capacidad-de-produccion-de-tortillas-en-rusia/   Investments by Gruma in 2018 totaled USD 209 million, of which USD 81 million was made during the fourth quarter. During that last quarter of the year, the investments were mainly used for additional production lines in a tortilla plant in Dallas (which began operations in August 2018) and expanded capacity in a tortilla plant in Russia.

March 25

GRUMA, LED BY JUAN GONZÁLEZ MORENO, INCREASES CAPACITY FOR FUTURE GROWTH https://www.sdpnoticias.com The Mexican company Gruma is ready to continue growing in the markets where it operates, despite forecasts indicating lower growth in Mexico and worldwide. 

March 26

Gruma, led by Juan González Moreno, increases capacity for future growth   https://noticieros.televisa.com Amidst forecast for slower growth in Mexico and worldwide, Gruma, led by Juan González Moreno, is ready to continue strengthening growth in markets where it operates. The company has reported USD 209 million in capital investments. During 2018 the company invested USD 209 million in capital investments in 2018 (equivalent to MXN 4.044 billion) mainly allocated to increase capacity for future company growth.

March 30

GRUPO MASECA CARRIES OUT OPERATIONS WITH WORLD-CLASS PROCESSES (Milenio Online) Mexican company Gruma, a global tortilla, corn flour, and wraps producer, is recognized internationally not only for financial soundness, but also for its high quality processes in 74 plants, which helps drive the company’s presence in more than 110 countries. This quality is backed by certifications that guarantee safe health processes used during the company’s operations, and that the materials processed offer customers healthy and nutritious food. The company possesses ISO Certification ISO 9001:2008, which establishes the requirements for implementing a quality management system. The Mexican company led by Juan González Moreno also has ISO Certification 14001 for Environmental Management Systems, along with a certification for supplying Kosher food.

HOW WE’VE CHANGED (Expansión pgs. 46-47) (Expansión pgs. 14-16) “The use of computers in Mexico has left its infant phase,” claimed the first cover article of Expansión in January 1969, along with an image of two spools of the latest machine from the U.S. company IBM. Since then, this magazine has witnessed how companies using technology can revolutionize the world, the economy, and consumption. During this half-century, Bimbo, FEMSA, Gruma, Grupo Modelo, and hundreds of other companies have created new products that transform their industry’s landscape and have adapted to and anticipated new trends. Those who do not adapt, such as Blockbuster, disappeared from the pages of Expansión and were substituted by companies like Netflix and HBO.   Expansión magazine publishes its list of favorite companies, in which Gruma appears three times.