November 2

 REPORTS LEAVE MUCH TO BE DESIRED. (EL ECONOMISTA PP-4-5) It is the end of quarterly report season for companies who trade on the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV,Bolsa Mexicana de Valores), where the issuers that comprise the main stock indicator, the S&P/BMV IPC, had their weakest quarter out of the last twelve. Some companies capitalized on the announcement of their good quarterly results, such as Grupo México, which increased its shares by 8.8%, while the retailer Walmex rose 4.1%,Gruma rose 2.6%, and La Comer, the pelican issuer, rose 1.4% during the third quarter of this year.

November 3

 VÍCTOR SÁNCHEZ BAÑOS / POWER AND MONEY (DIARIO IMAGEN 10) Powerful Gentlemen:Gruma, led byJuan González Moreno, invested USD $50 million in a plant in Russia that will produce 50,000 tons each year of wheat tortillas and corn snacks, while generating 265 direct jobs and more than 900 indirect jobs. This is an untapped market for Mexican transnational companies.

November 6

 INVESTMENTS (MILENIO DIARIO 32) Tribute. As part of the Movimiento al Natural [Movement towards Nature] project,Gruma, the Mexican multinational company, and other food companies, will launch the documentaryTributo al productor [A Tribute to Producers] on Wednesday. After two years in development, the proposal is designed to highlight the field to table process.

 DUNCAN TAYLOR / LONDON EYE (EXCÉLSIOR 2) According to a publication from the United Kingdom Office of National Statistics (ONS), exchange of goods with Mexico is growing and is worth 1.320 billion pounds, an historical high...Clear examples have been seen this year, such as the presence of the classic Alexander Dennis double-decker buses in the Metrobus lane on Reforma Avenue, or the BP and Shell gas stations that now dot Mexico City. For their part, large Mexican companies including Bimbo, Cemex,Gruma, and Mexichem have proven their quality on British soil over several years...

November 8

 GRUMA DID PAY TAXES (EL SOL DE MÉXICO 1-6) (ARISTEGUI NOTICIAS ONLINE 0) (PUBLIMETRO.COM) On Sunday, the International Consortium for Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) published the so-called “Paradise Papers” case, which reveals Mexican business owners, politicians, governors, and even celebrities who have dealings with offshore tax havens. One of the companies named in the document isGruma International Corp, which was incorporated in Barbados as a foreign sales company. The Mexican company has issued statements to clarify the matter. They explained thatGruma International Corp was created in 1998 and dissolved in December 2003, and operated as a subsidiary of Gruma Corp in the United States, as part of its business strategy there. In addition, since its inception,Gruma International Corp has always filed and paid taxes in accordance with the tax laws of the United States of America, the only country where it generated income as a commission agent of Gruma Corp.

 MARICARMEN CORTÉS / FROM THE BARGAIN BASEMENT. (EXCÉLSIOR 6)Gruma untroubled by Paradise Papers. In response to the naming ofRoberto González Barrera, Gruma’s founder, as one of the Mexicans involved in the Paradise Papers, the company stated thatGruma International Corp was created in March 1998 in Barbados and dissolved in December 2003, and had operated as a subsidiary ofGruma Corp in the United States. Notably, during its existenc,e the offshore company paid taxes to the IRS in the United States, since that is whereGruma Corp. is registered.

November 10

 GRUMA CONTINUES TO INVEST AROUND THE WORLD (MILENIO ONLINE) The volatile environment associated with the renegotiation of the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the depreciation of the peso against the dollar, and uncertainty due to on the standardization in US monetary policy, has not halted investments byGruma, a Mexican world leader in the production of corn flour, tortillas, and wraps. Based on the numbers in its financial report, at the close of the third quarter of this year, in July, August, and September of 2017,Juan Antonio Gónzalez Moreno’scompany stated in a press release that it had investments of USD $95 million around the world. These resources are mainly concentrated in investments in the United States, where the company’s main market is located...

November 14

 GIMSA OUT OF THE BMV (EL HERALDO DE MÉXICO 30) (EXCÉLSIOR 2)Gruma wants to removeGrupo Industrial Maseca(GIMSA) from the Mexican Stock Market, and to that end, yesterday it announced a public take-over bid to purchase the shares held by the investing public.

November 16

 NATIVES OF MONTERREY (EL NORTE 15) The Secretary of Economy, Idelfonso Guajardo, is playing to win when he lands in Monterrey tonight to join GANE Mexico-China, a High Level Business Group (GANE, by its Spanish acronym). Since he and his fellow trade ministers from the United States and Canada agreed to absent themselves from the fifth round of negotiations on the trilateral agreement, he will now test his luck with the Asian country in meetings that will be held this Friday. Tonight, the cocktail party held at the Government Palace will be attended by the Mexico chapter of GANE, led byJuan González Moreno ofGruma.

 BUSINESS OWNERS FROM MEXICO AND CHINA MEET IN NUEVO LEON. (MILENIO DIARIO DE MONTERREY 0) (EL PORVENIR.MX 0) Seeking to strengthen and increase trade relations and investments in both countries, delegations of business owners from Mexico and China who are part of the High Level Business Group (GANE) met on Friday in the city of Monterrey. According to statements by Fernando Turner Dávila, Secretary of Economy and Labor for Nuevo León, the GANE meetings are held once a year and alternate between cities in Mexico and China. The last one was held in October 2016 in Beijing, China. “They bring together Mexican business owners, seek to increase the amount of trade, increase investments in Mexico and, why not admit it, support Mexican investments in China. There are various companies in Nuevo Leon who have operations in China, such asGruma, Metalsa, and Nemak,” he commented.

November 17

 RUSSIA RULES OUT MEDDLING IN MEXICO. (EXCÉLSIOR PP-8-9) Russia will not interfere in the Mexican electoral developments in the coming elections, stated the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Lavrov. He added that they will work with the President elected by the Mexican people on a trade cooperation program over the long term. This year, we are celebrating two memorable dates: the 127th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration on the Principles of Cooperative Relations between our States. We welcome the start of operations for our Mexican partners within the Russian market; Nemak inagurated an autoparts production plant in the Ulyanovsk region in September 2015, while in September 2017, Gruma International Food launched a company to produce food products.

 HÉCTOR O. ROMERO / INSIGHTS WITH SIGNUM RESEARCH. (EL ECONOMISTA 6)Gruma. The Gruma shares posted a 9.6% correction since October, which is an excessive adjustment. This adjustment represents a long term purchase opportunity based on its attractive features, including a robust financial structure, high cash generation, and a leadership position in corn flour production...

November 18

 BUSINESS OWNERS FROM MEXICO AND CHINA AGREE TO INCREASE COOPERATION. (CNNEXPANSION.COM 0) (EL SOL DE MÉXICO 1-5) On Friday, business owners from Mexico and China agreed to increase cooperation in the energy, infrastructure, automotive, and financial sectors, according to a report by the Government of Nuevo Leon. Members of the High Level Business Group (GANE), comprised of Chinese and Mexican business owners seeking to drive economic integration between the two countries, highlighted the importance of strengthening commercial ties and committed to progress in various sectors. “There are great opportunities for Chinese companies in terms of infrastructure, and to date there are 193 projects underway,” reportsJuan González Moreno, chair of the Mexican chapter of the group and CEO ofGrupo Maseca (Gruma). The business owner indicated that companies within the group would increase their cooperation within the energy (expected to reach USD $6.6 billion), automotive, and financial sectors.

November 20

 NATIVES OF MONTERREY (EL NORTE (ONLINE) 0) A Chinese cocktail hour was held on Black Friday at the Alfa Planetarium, featuring El Bronco tequila. This was the going away party for business owners in the Chinese delegation who met with their Mexican counterparts at the Fifth Plenary Session of the Mexico-China High Level Business Group (GANE). The host was Armando Garza Sada, a resident of Monterrey and the industrial magnate who heads up Alfa. He is a member of the Mexican chapter of this binational group of business owners led by his compatriot,Juan González Moreno, CEO ofGruma.

November 21

 GRUMA GROWS IN US AND IN CHINA (EL NORTE PP NEGOCIOS) (REFORMA 2)  Gruma is raising the stakes in two out of three of its most important markets. The giant producer of tortillas and corn flour inaugurated its 20th plant in the United States and revealed that next year, it will build its second plant in China. The new facilities in the United States, located in Dallas, will produce 30 million tortillas each day through itsMission Foods division to supply Texas and neighboring states. It is generating nearly 1,000 direct jobs and 4,500 indirect jobs. “It has the capacity to keep growing and, at full capacity, will produce more than 1 billion wheat and corn tortillas per year, as well as tortilla chips and flatbreads under theMissionglobal brand, and national brands such asGuerrero andCalidad to supply the states of Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas, and northern Texas,” said the company in a statement. “(On Thursday) we were in Dallas for the inauguration of the second plant there (in the United States), bringing our total to 81, and the plant in China will be number 82,” commented Juan González Moreno, President and CEO of the Monterrey-based multinational company, in an interview on Friday during the Fifth Meeting of the Mexico-China High Level Business Group (GANE).

 GRUMA FULFILLS ITS MISSION IN TEXAS (EXCÉLSIOR PP DINERO 1-2) (Article with photo of Juan González Moreno, cutting the inaugural ribbon) (LA JORNADA 28) (MURAL) (MILENIO DIARIO 23) (EL FINANCIERO 29) (EL ECONOMISTA 26) (EL SOL DE MÉXICO 5) (EL HERALDO DE MÉXICO 29) (LA RAZÓN 17)Gruma, the producer of corn flour and corn products, opened its new tortilla plant in Dallas, Texas, USA. The plant will produce 30 million units per day. “With this plant,Gruma consolidates its position as the leading producer, marketer, and distributor of tortillas in the United States and reaffirms its commitment to offering its customers and consumers healthy, world-class products to satisfy their tastes and preferences,” stated the President and CEO ofGruma, Juan González Moreno, during the factory’s inauguration. Gruma’s new production center will produce wheat and corn tortillas, as well as tortilla chips and flatbreads for the Mission brand.

 CORPORATE AFFAIRS. (LA CRÓNICA DE HOY 26)Gruma. The President and CEO ofGruma, Juan González Moreno, stated that with its new plant in Dallas, Texas, the company consolidates its position as the leading producer, marketer, and distributor of tortillas in the United States and reaffirms its commitment to offering its customers and consumers healthy, world-class products...

 GRUMA INAUGURATES PLANT IN DALLAS, TEXAS  (MILENIO NOTICIAS (14:00 AM to 16:00 PM) )Tania Díaz:Gruma has inaugurated its new production plant in Dallas, Texas. Its President and CEO, Juan González Moreno, stated that this factory has the capacity to produce 30 million tortillas per day and 10 billion each year, to supply the states of Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arkansas, as well as Louisiana, Kansas, and northern Texas. González Moreno indicated that it has areas designated for manufacturing and packaging each product with environmentally-friendly equipment, and also noted that it is expected to generate 1,000 direct jobs and more than 4,500 indirect jobs.

 NAFTA HAS EXPANDED TRADE BETWEEN IOWA AND MEXICO (DAY 9) Thanks to NAFTA, the state of Iowa has strengthened its business relationship with Mexico, a critical market for its production plant that is only surpassed by Canada. According to figures from the Mexican Ministry of Economy, in 2016, trade between Iowa and Mexico surpassed USD $3.5 billion. Mexico has become the second largest market for exports from Iowa, while prior to the 1994 NAFTA, it was ranked fourth. Approximately 53,100 jobs in Iowa depend on trade with Mexico, since Mexican companies such as Bimbo, Cemex,Gruma, Grupo Salinas, and Minsa operate 73 businesses in the state, providing direct employment for 1,559 people.

November 22

 MAURICIO FLORES/PEOPLE BEHIND THE MONEY. (LA RAZÓN 18)Juan’s 10 billion tortillas. The newGruma plant in Dallas, Texas, has the capacity to produce enough tortillas each year to make two tacos for each person on earth, as well as chips and flatbread. The company headed byJuan González Moreno took a critical step in strengthening its presence in an area where it arrived 44 years ago. It now has 20 plants located in the U.S....where residents consume more corn products than in Mexico.

November 24

 GRUMA, A MEXICAN COMPANY, CONQUERS MARKETS IN ASIA AND OCEANIA. (AMÉRICAECONOMÍA.COM 0) One of the Mexican companies with the broadest global reach isGruma, led byJuan Antonio González Moreno. It has managed to conquer more than 112 countries around the world, even reaching the continents of Asia and Oceania. In Asia, the world leader in the production of corn flour, tortillas, and wraps has two production plants; one in China, and the other in Malaysia. And due to the growing demand for its products, the company expects to expand its presence in that region...

November 25

 JUAN ANTONIO GONZÁLEZ MORENO. (MUNDO EJECUTIVO 90)Juan AntonioGonzález Moreno is one of the heirs to the empire founded by renowned magnateRoberto González Barrera “Maseco,” who died in Houston, Texas, U.S., on August 25, 2012, from health complications at the age of 81. He is the second of the children born to Graciela Moreno: Roberto, Juan, Graciela, Bertha, and Mayra. After receiving one of the larges inheritances in the country, Juan Antonio began the process of transformingGruma. He initiated new growth and profitability strategies in three main areas: operations, administration, and finance.

 CARLOS HANK GONZÁLEZ. (MUNDO EJECUTIVO 48) Carlos Hank González is a business owner who wants to write his own story. The son of Carlos Hank Rhon andGracielaGonzález Moreno, and grandson ofRoberto González Barrera,the founder ofGruma and Grupo Financiero Banorte, Carlos forged his own destiny. He was born in the State of Mexico. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a specialization in Finance at the Universidad Iberoamericana. From his early start as “the youngest banker in Mexico,” he began learning about the businesses within the Group. In 2000, at age 30, he took over as CEO of Grupo Financiero Interacciones, a position he held for 14 years.

November 28

 MORGAN STANLEY DOWNGRADES ITS RECOMMENDATION ON COLOMBIA AND MEXICO TO “UNDERWEIGHT.” (DINERO.COM 0) The Morgan Stanley Brazil office has stated that Mexico and Colombia must maintain continuity in their macroeconomic policies as each selects a new president in the coming months. In addition, the investment bank recommends avoiding the Colombian market due to its excessive dependence on oil prices, the growing political uncertainty surrounding the coming presidential elections, and its need for fiscal consolidation, which puts pressure on public spending.In contrast, the ten best investment ideas in Latin Americaaccording to Morgan Stanley are Petrobras, BB Seguridade, CVC, Usiminas, Estacio, TIM, and Localiza in Brazil; Femsa andGruma in Mexico; and Parauco in Chile.

November 29

 TWO-HEADED EAGLE/JOSÉ RANULFO TORRES CASTILLO (NOTICIASDECHIAPAS.COM) The Confederación Nacional del Campo y para el Campo (CONFENACAM) led by Marco Antonio Esquivel Gómez, signed an Agreement withGrupo MASECA (GRUMA) to market 50,000 tons of white corn in Chiapas to benefit its producers. “At the beginning, we will operate within a trading scheme for three regions within the state: La Frailesca, Centro, and Fronteriza. These volumes will be distributed in such a way that we can provide price and market guarantees for the corn, produced by small-scale farmers from these regions,” he explained. At the signing of the agreement and the contract for the first 10,160 tons of corn withGRUMA, held at its facilities in the municipality of Ocozocoautla de Espinosa, Chiapas, national advisors and directors of the CONFENA CAM were present to witness the agreement, including Cruz Alberto Uc Hernandez, the SAGARPA delegate from Chiapas.