The Santo Tomás de Castilla Free Zone for Industry and
Commerce (ZOLIC) welcomes the announcement by Yazaki North
America, Inc. (YNA) regarding the construction of a second auto parts manufacturing plant
in Guatemala, with an investment of US$1.425 billion,
a decision that strengthens confidence in the country as an investment destination and
consolidates its position in Central America.
Photo courtesy of: AGN/SCSPR
The launch event was attended by
senior executives from YNA, including its President and CEO,
Kenichi Fujisawa, as well as officials from the Guatemalan government, including the
President of the Republic, Bernardo Arévalo, and the Minister of Economy,
Gabriela García. Representing ZOLIC was the Chairman of
its Board of Directors, Cristian Mayorga.
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. This facility will be dedicated to
the manufacture of electrical harnesses for the automotive industry.
Photo courtesy of: AGN/SCSPR
The project will create more than 3,500
formal jobs in the region, in addition to the more than 1,000 jobs already
created since 2023, when Yazaki’s first plant began operations in
the Public Special Economic Development Zone (ZDEEP) at the Puerta del
Istmo Free Trade Zone.
Initial
earthwork has already begun at the Pajapita site. The
manufacturing facility, with an area of 35,000 square meters,
is expected to begin operations as early as September 2027 and employ approximately
3,500 people once it reaches full capacity.
This announcement builds on the success of
Yazaki’s first operation in Guatemala, solidifying its position as a leader
in efficiency, quality, and competitiveness within the ZDEEP model.
In this context, the Chairman of
the Board of Directors of ZOLIC, Cristian Mayorga, noted, “The operation of
Yazaki’s first plant in the ZDEEP Puerta del Istmo Free Trade Zone has
become a model of how Guatemala is open to major foreign investment
, offering certainty, a skilled workforce, and conditions that allow
companies to grow and establish themselves in the country.”
Photo courtesy of: AGN/SCSPR
Guatemala continues to demonstrate
that it is a resilient economy, capable of maintaining its appeal even in
challenging circumstances. Confidence in the country is based on consistency,
clear rules, and an environment that fosters productive, business,
and industrial development.
In this regard, ZOLIC and ZDEEP
play a key role by facilitating investment, boosting employment, and
revitalizing local economies. They also enhance transparency through
systematized processes focused on concrete results.
Trust is built on
positive results: investment decisions are not based on perceptions,
but on evidence, and they are reinforced when companies decide to stay,
grow, and continue to invest in the country.
Photo courtesy of: AGN/SCSPR
Yazaki's expansion reaffirms confidence in Guatemala's
production capacity and in an environment that promotes sustainable,
long-term investments with legal certainty.
ZOLIC and ZDEEP will continue working to
facilitate projects that create jobs, promote regional development, and
strengthen the country’s competitiveness, actively contributing to positioning
Guatemala as a strategic partner for global investment.