The Santo Tomás de Castilla Free Trade and Industry
Commerce (ZOLIC) welcomes the announcement by Yazaki North America, Inc.
America, Inc. (YNA) on the construction of a second auto parts manufacturing plant in Guatemala, with an investment of US$1.5 billion
(YNA) on the construction of a second auto parts manufacturing plant in Guatemala, with an investment of US$$250 million,
a decision that strengthens confidence in the country as an investment destination and consolidates its position in Central America.
consolidates its position in Central America.
Photo courtesy: AGN/SCSPR
The presentation ceremony was attended by
The presentation ceremony was attended by senior executives of YNA, including its President and CEO, Kenichi Fujisawa, as well as authorities from the Government of Guatemala, including the President and CEO of YNA,
Kenichi Fujisawa, as well as authorities from the Government of Guatemala, including the President of the Republic, Bernardo Arevalo, and the
President of the Republic, Bernardo Arévalo, and the Minister of Economy, Gabriela García,
Gabriela García. On behalf of ZOLIC, the Chairman of its Board of Directors, Cristian Mayorga, was present.
Board of Directors, Cristian Mayorga, was present on behalf of ZOLIC.
The new plant will be located in
the municipality of Pajapita, in the department of San Marcos, a few kilometers from Yazaki's current operation in Ayutla.
from Yazaki's current operation in Ayutla. This facility will be dedicated to
the manufacture of electrical harnesses for the automotive industry.
Photo courtesy: AGN/SCSPR
The project will generate more than 3,500
formal jobs in the region, adding to the more than 1,000 jobs already generated since 2023, when Yazaki's first
generated since 2023, when Yazaki's first plant began operations in the Special Public Economic Development Zone
the Special Public Economic Development Zone (ZDEEP) Zona Libre Puerta del Istmo.
Istmo Free Zone (ZDEEP).
Initial earthwork has begun at the Pajapita site.
initial earthmoving work has already begun at the Pajapita site. The 35,000-square-meter
The 35,000-square-meter manufacturing facility is expected to begin operations as early as September 2027 and
expected to start operations as early as September 2027 and employ around 3,500 people once it reaches full capacity.
3,500 people once it reaches full capacity.
This announcement follows the success of Yazaki's
Yazaki's first operation in Guatemala, consolidating its position as a reference point for efficiency, quality and
of efficiency, quality and competitiveness within the ZDEEP model.
In this context, the Chairman of ZOLIC's
the Board of Directors of ZOLIC, Cristian Mayorga, noted, “The operation of Yazaki's first plant in the ZDEEP Zona Libre
operation of Yazaki's first plant in the ZDEEP Zona Libre Puerta del Istmo has become a reference of how
has become a reference of how Guatemala is open to large foreign investments, offering certainty
foreign investment, offering certainty, human talent, and conditions that allow companies to grow and consolidate
companies to grow and consolidate in the country.”
Photo courtesy: AGN/SCSPR
Guatemala continues to prove itself as a resilient
resilient economy, capable of maintaining its attractiveness even in complex scenarios.
even in complex scenarios. Confidence in the country is based on consistency,
and an environment that fosters productive, entrepreneurial and industrial development.
and industrial development.
On this path, ZOLICs and ZDEEPs play a key role in facilitating
play a key role in facilitating investment, boosting employment and energizing local economies.
boosting local economies. They also strengthen transparency through systematized and results-oriented
systematized and results-oriented processes.
Trust is built on positive
positive results: investment decisions are not based on perceptions, but on evidence,
but on evidence, and they are consolidated when companies decide to stay,
to stay, to grow and to continue betting on the country.
Photo courtesy: AGN/SCSPR
Yazaki's expansion reaffirms confidence in Guatemala's productive capacity and an environment that promotes sustainable and sustainable investment.
productive capacity and an environment that promotes sustainable, long-term investments with legal
investments with legal certainty.
ZOLIC and the ZDEEPs will continue to work to facilitate projects that generate
projects that generate employment, promote regional development and strengthen the country's competitiveness.
strengthen the country's competitiveness, actively contributing to position Guatemala as a strategic partner for global investment.
Guatemala as a strategic partner for global investment.