Puebla: The Modern Automotive & Textile Manufacturing Hub

Puebla’s three largest manufacturing sectors are: automotive, textiles, and the fast-growing food and beverage processing industry. In 2017, Puebla registered over $15 billion dollars in exports. Whereas the automotive and textile manufacturing industries in Puebla are geared towards exports, the food and beverage processing industry is focused on national markets.

The automotive manufacturing industry in Puebla is a force for Mexico. Between the period of 2011-2018, over 4 million cars were produced here. The Volkswagen plant in Puebla was opened in 1967 and now employs 8,600 people, making it the largest plant operating in the state. Eighty percent of the vehicles produced in the VW Puebla plant are destined for exportation.

Food and beverage processing include big name companies such as Nestle de Mexico, Grupo Pepsico, Red Bull, Bimbo, The Coca-Cola Company, La Costeña, Soriana and Jugos del Valle. Since 2014, the US confectionary company, Mondeléz, has invested $133 million dollars to renovate its global infrastructure, including its plant in Puebla which produces powder for beverages for the Latin American market.

Textile manufacturing in Puebla include thread, spinning, knitted items and woven fabrics. Every year, Puebla hosts the internationally attended textile trade show called Exintex, attracting more than 120,000 suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers and purchasers. Over 95% of Puebla’s textile exports are bound for the United States.