Honeywell más de 80 años de brindar soluciones en México

Summary

In an insightful conversation with Manuel Macedo, CEO of Honeywell Latin America, the discussion covers Honeywell's long-standing presence in Mexico, its diverse business units, and the role of technology in driving global operations. Manuel highlights Mexico's significance in Honeywell’s strategy, emphasizing the importance of engineering talent and innovation. He discusses the impact of AI, digital transformation, and sustainability on industry practices, while also touching on Mexico’s opportunities to improve its productivity through technological advancements. The conversation underscores the country’s potential to leverage its workforce and technological infrastructure to remain a key player in the global market.

Takeaways

• 😀 Honeywell has a long history in Mexico, with over 80 years of presence in the country. It is the second most significant location for Honeywell worldwide in terms of physical presence and infrastructure.
• 😀 Mexico is a crucial hub for Honeywell’s global operations, with the company generating $35 billion in global revenue and contributing significantly to various industries, including aerospace, chemicals, and industrial automation.
• 😀 Honeywell operates in Mexico with five major business divisions: aerospace, performance materials, building technologies, safety products, and a software layer that integrates artificial intelligence to improve productivity and efficiency.
• 😀 Mexico’s aerospace industry plays a pivotal role, with key development centers in Chihuahua and Mexicali, where technologies for the Airbus A350 are tested and developed, including wind tunnels for testing aviation systems.
• 😀 The company employs over 12,000 people in Mexico across 11 plants and research centers, with a significant portion being engineers involved in technology development and industrial processes.
• 😀 Honeywell’s workforce in Mexico benefits from a strong pool of engineering talent, with over 10% of its employees in technology centers being engineers, helping to drive the company's technological innovation.
• 😀 The Mexican education system is closely aligned with industry needs, with universities working to improve the adaptability of students to new technologies like AI and digital transformation, which is crucial for Mexico's economic growth.
• 😀 Honeywell emphasizes the importance of integrating young engineers into the workforce quickly and flexibly, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills to contribute to the company’s goals.
• 😀 The company has experienced steady growth in Mexico, with one of its technology centers growing from 15 employees in 2017 to nearly 700 employees, indicating the country’s potential as a hub for talent and innovation.
• 😀 Mexico is well-positioned for growth due to its proximity to the U.S., a strong infrastructure, and the ongoing development of a skilled workforce, with Honeywell committing to continuous investments in the country.
• 😀 The future growth of Mexico lies in improving productivity and advancing digital transformation. As labor costs rise, the country can shift towards more value-added professions to remain competitive in the global market.

Q & A

What is Honeywell's global presence and how does Mexico fit into it?

Honeywell is an American multinational corporation with over 100 years of innovation and has been operating in Mexico for more than 80 years. Mexico is the second country in terms of physical presence and infrastructure for Honeywell, and the company generates $35 billion in global revenue.

What are the key business divisions that Honeywell operates in Mexico?

Honeywell operates in Mexico through five main divisions: Aerospace, Performance Materials and Technologies (covering refining, biocombustibles, and industrial automation), Building Technologies (for smart buildings and cities), Safety and Productivity Solutions, and a software division known as Honeywell Connected Enterprise, which integrates artificial intelligence and data to enhance productivity.

How important is Mexico in Honeywell's global operations?

Mexico plays a crucial role as the second-largest country in terms of Honeywell's physical presence and infrastructure. The company operates numerous plants and technological centers in Mexico, producing and developing technologies not only for the domestic market but also for global markets.

Which divisions are the largest within Honeywell globally, and how does Mexico contribute to them?

The two largest divisions globally are Aerospace and Performance Materials and Technologies (which includes chemical processes, automation, and biofuels). Mexico contributes significantly to these sectors with research and production facilities focused on cutting-edge technologies.

What role does Mexico play in Honeywell's aerospace sector?

Mexico is pivotal in Honeywell’s aerospace sector, with plants in Chihuahua and Mexicali. One of the key projects includes the development of Airbus A350 technology, using virtual simulations. Mexico also houses a wind tunnel in Mexicali to test aviation components for safety and performance.

How does Honeywell perceive the engineering talent in Mexico?

Honeywell sees Mexico as a key source of engineering talent, with a strong presence of skilled engineers in both their technology centers and manufacturing plants. Mexico has been able to produce highly qualified engineers, and Honeywell has been successfully integrating them into their operations.

What are some challenges and opportunities regarding Mexico's engineering workforce?

While Mexico has a large pool of skilled engineers, the main challenge lies in adapting educational programs to match the rapid pace of technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Honeywell emphasizes the importance of evolving education to meet these demands.

How does Honeywell integrate artificial intelligence into its operations?

Honeywell utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance operational efficiency. For example, AI helps optimize aircraft performance and plant operations by collecting data from sensors, analyzing it, and creating predictive models to prevent failures and improve energy usage.

How does Mexico’s economic growth compare to other emerging markets, and what role does technology play in this?

Mexico's economic growth has been slower compared to emerging markets in Southeast Asia. Honeywell sees an opportunity for Mexico to shift from a labor-based economy to one focused on higher productivity and value-added professions through digital transformation and technology integration.

What future investments is Honeywell making in Mexico, and how does the geopolitical situation affect this?

Honeywell is increasing its investments in Mexico, particularly due to its proximity to the U.S. and the disruptions caused by COVID-19 and geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China. Mexico’s strategic location, talent pool, and ongoing improvements in infrastructure make it an attractive place for further investment.