European companies see in Mexico an opportunity for investors from various sectors in view of the situation that exists around the geopolitical and economic issues of the region. Given this, in recent months acquisitions have been consolidated that increase the participation of that region in the national economy.
Many of the European companies that we know daily have been in Mexico for several years, and have even been an important part of the national economy, such as BBVA, AB InBev, Nestlé, Bayer, Adidas, Santander, Zara, Boehringer, Henkel, Danone, among others. others.
According to a report by Seale & Associates, the French company Vinci Airports recently bought part of the share capital of Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte (OMA) for an amount close to 815 million dollars (30% of the total). On the other hand, in previous weeks, the Dutch firm IMCD bought a Mexican PromaPlast , a leading distributor in Mexico of specialized products for the plastics industry, without disclosing the amount of the transaction.
“The acquisition of PromaPlast is an exciting step into an important new market for IMCD Mexico and further expands our capabilities in the United States. PromaPlast is a complementary addition to our global network of advanced materials experts and underscores our commitment to expanding opportunities for customers in Mexico and suppliers looking for a strong and reliable channel partner in the region,” said Olivier Champault, director of the IMCD Advanced Materials business group.
Other negotiations that took place by European companies during August were the Spanish VASS with the acquisition of Hexagon Data, which offers CDP implementation services, customer data and data strategy; the English RS Group with the purchase of Risoul , an automation, industrial networks and electrical equipment firm and the Swiss Kempinski Hotels and ABB with a hotel in Cancun and a low-voltage motor business of the National Association of Manufacturers, respectively.
According to data from the Bank of Mexico (Banxico), Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from European countries in Mexico represents about 17.5% of the total at the end of 2021, with an amount close to 4,819 million dollars.
Overview of acquisitions in 2022
In August, 18 transactions were announced in Mexico , representing an increase of 10 transactions compared to the previous month and the best number of transactions so far this year. Compared to the same period last year, the total announced transaction volume increased by 38.4%.
For all of 2022, the volume of acquisitions of foreign companies in Mexico adds up to a total of 91 transactions with an approximate amount of 7,700 million dollars . On the other hand, Mexican investors abroad have disbursed 1,300 million dollars by adding a total of 25 transactions.
The sectors that had a greater investment by foreigners was the industrial sector , with 14 transactions; mining and consumption , with 13 negotiations each; information technologies , with 11; the financial sector , with nine and health , with eight.
“The industrial sector leads M&A activity as of July 2022, with eight transactions by Mexican companies announced abroad, representing 32% of total transactions in the period,” Seale & Associates said in its report.
