Santa Teresa, NM — One of the world’s leading manufacturers of metal composite materials will open an office and manufacturing/distribution facility in New Mexico and will co-locate production operations across the international border in Chihuahua, Mexico.
Xxentria Technology Materials Company, Ltd., has purchased land for its facilities in Santa Teresa, NM, with a production plant planned in Chihuahua, Mexico. It will utilize the Santa Teresa/San Jeronimo international border crossing which connects the 70,000-acre bi-national community known as “Los Santos” as well as Union Pacific’s intermodal terminal in Santa Teresa
The company’s decision to locate along the New Mexico-Chihuahua border came as a result of a bi-national trade mission to Taiwan in October, 2019, attended by New Mexico Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes, Dominic Gabello from the Office of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, and Alejandra De la Vega-Foster, Secretary of Innovation and Economic Development from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico.
“New Mexico has incredibly diverse economic potential and our southern border is ripe for growth,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “I’m thrilled Xxentria recognizes the unique opportunity presented by our international border and I know we will continue to demonstrate to the country, and indeed the globe, that innovation has a home here in the Land of Enchantment.”
“New Mexico’s border with Mexico is one of our biggest economic development assets,” Cabinet Secretary Keyes said. “And now, as a result of the pandemic, we have an even greater opportunity to restore manufacturing to the United States and to collaborate with our neighbors and friends in Chihuahua. Together we are building a globally competitive North American manufacturing and distribution hub.”
Xxentria has purchased a 40-acre site across from the FedEx Ground facility in the 2,600-acre Westpark Logistics Center in Santa Teresa and anticipates starting construction in 2021. While final plans are still being formulated, the company expects to invest significantly in the state in terms of financial capital and employment, with a projected initial hire of 35 employees for its New Mexico operation.
Xxentria is a major producer of galvanized steel and aluminum composite panels for both the transportation and architecture industries. The new location will allow it to better serve U.S. customers. Xxentria plans to establish its New Mexico offices in 2021 before proceeding with development in Chihuahua.
“Santa Teresa/San Jeronimo is the future of the border region. Establishing manufacturing operations in North America will allow us to better service our valued customers in the United States,” Howard Chen, Chairman and CEO of Xxentria, said. “The State of New Mexico has a pro-business climate and is aggressively attracting manufacturing companies like ours. Many of our key suppliers will also follow us and we look forward to building a long-term relationship with the State of New Mexico.”
The Economic Development Department is supporting the project with assistance through the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA), a fund created by the Legislature to help businesses grow or relocate in New Mexico and create jobs. The state has tentatively pledged $750,000 to the company from LEDA.
“The binational community of Los Santos offers companies such as Xxentria the ability to seamlessly set up operations on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, thus capturing the advantages of both nations and making them more competitive in the global market,” Jerry Pacheco of the Border Industrial Association said. The Border Industrial Association is assisting with the project.
The New Mexico Partnership is assisting the company with technical advice. “Manufacturers like Xxentria are rethinking their global distribution and supply chain strategies to address the challenges in today’s economy and are finding their solutions in New Mexico,” Melinda Allen, Interim President of the New Mexico Partnership, said. “We were able to assist Xxentria in their site selection process by offering expertise on talent, critical infrastructure, real estate and facilities, incentives, and all the other factors that go into a business location decision.”
New Mexico’s Borderplex has a huge advantage with its logistical assets, including the Union Pacific terminal; the Doña Ana County International Jetport; and the fast and commercially efficient Port-of-Entry.
Global trade and Foreign Direct Investment are top priorities for Gov. Lujan Grisham and to further relationships in Asia the Economic Development Department will be retaining a Taiwan-based consultant to help grow manufacturing jobs in New Mexico.
Xxentria Technology Materials Co., Ltd., is based in Tainan City, Taiwan, and also has operations in Kendall Park, NJ and San Francisco, CA for North America sales operations. Learn more about Xxentria at xxentria-tech.com.
The New Mexico Economic Development Department’s mission is to improve the lives of New Mexico families by increasing economic opportunities and providing a place for businesses to thrive. Visit gonm.biz for more information.
