Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) News
Printer Friendly VersionCross-border manufacturing technology agreement
Cooperative agreement to help integrate new technologies in Mexico
San Antonio -- September 5, 1997 -- Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) has entered into a cooperative agreement with a key Mexican manufacturing technology support organization to help integrate new technologies into small and medium-size manufacturers in Mexico.
The agreement was signed in formal ceremonies on September 4 by Richard Curtin, SwRI executive vice president; and by Carlos Gutiérrez Ruíz, national chairman of Camara Nacional de la Industria de Transformación (CANACINTRA). The signing was witnessed by José Angel Gurría, Mexico's Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
Also present were Carlos M. Sada, Mexico's Consul General in San Antonio and an Institute trustee, along with Commercial Attaché Rogelio Rojas and representatives of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of San Antonio, and the Free Trade Alliance.
Key points of the agreement provide for cooperation in developing and applying technology in support of manufacturing activities, combining resources to provide educational training for the integration of manufacturing technologies, promoting environmentally friendly manufacturing technologies, and exchanging technical information.
"Today, technology is taking hold in Mexico in a very strong way," said Curtin, who cited the Institute's long-standing ties with other entities in Mexico as well as its three trustees who are from Mexico. "We would like to assist Mexico in any way possible to transfer this technology," he said.
Carlos Gutiérrez Ruíz, whose association has 68,000 members throughout Mexico, said manufacturers, especially the small and medium-size businesses that make up the majority of CANACINTRA's membership, require modern technology as the nation turns toward a global economy. "We are making very strong structural changes in our country," he said.
Secretary Gurréa said of the cooperative agreement, "This is the kind of linkage that we need." Citing Mexico's recent economic growth into the third-largest trade partner of the United States, he said trade is expected to grow still further. "That means the potential for growth in trade is happening. It is not a potential, it is a reality."
Michael Gonzalez, director of Southwest Research Institute's
Mexico office, said the Institute seeks not to duplicate what already exists in Mexico,
"but to complement what already is there, so that between the Institute and
corresponding Mexican groups we can offer a more comprehensive group of services to
clients."
For more information about cross-border manufacturing, contact Joe Fohn, Communications Department, Southwest Research Institute, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, Texas 78228-0510, Phone (210) 522-4630, Fax (210) 522-3547.
