INDEX Nacional Holds Executive Session in Rio South Texas, Strengthening Binational Manufacturing Integration

The Rio South Texas Region welcomed representatives of INDEX Nacional and its regional delegations, who held an executive session at the invitation of COSTEP, Consejo para el Progreso Económico del Sur de Texas.

The meeting aimed to bring industrial leaders closer to one of the most dynamic productive corridors in North America, characterized by its close integration with the manufacturing hubs of northern Mexico.

During their visit, participants gained firsthand insight into the region’s logistics capabilities, strategic infrastructure, international connectivity, and competitive advantages that position Rio South Texas as a key destination for investment, business expansion, and supply chain integration.

The region concentrates strategic sectors such as automotive, metalworking, electrical-electronics, medical devices, logistics, and international trade, supported by a network of ports of entry, industrial parks, specialized talent, and direct access to the U.S. market.

The visit also showcased the local base of suppliers and services available in the region, enabling INDEX-affiliated companies to identify opportunities for sourcing, co-investment, and joint development on both sides of the border.

The event underscored the importance of binational value chains, which are fundamental to the competitiveness of manufacturing industries in Mexico and the United States amid nearshoring and investment relocation trends.

In an interview with ProTexas Industry, Adam Gonzalez, CEO of COSTEP, highlighted that the visit forms part of a strategy to position the Rio South Texas Region as a strategic partner for Mexican industry.

“Our region is deeply manufacturing-driven. We are not two separate economies; we are a single productive platform operating in an integrated way.”

He noted that hosting INDEX Nacional in the region provides a direct opportunity to showcase logistics advantages, infrastructure, and the business ecosystem available to Mexican companies.

“We want INDEX-affiliated companies to understand the real opportunities to expand, invest, and strengthen their operations within this binational corridor. Here they find connectivity, suppliers, talent, and immediate access to the North American market.”

Gonzalez emphasized that collaboration among business organizations is essential to driving new investment and strengthening regional supply chains.

“This visit also allows companies to identify strategic partners, sourcing opportunities, and joint development projects that generate jobs and economic growth on both sides of the border.”

He added that the region seeks to increase its international visibility and consolidate itself as a competitive destination within the global manufacturing landscape.

“More than ever, North America’s competitiveness depends on integration between Mexico and the United States. The Rio South Texas Region is ready to be an active part of that growth.”

A Strategic Alliance to Strengthen Industrial Integration

Humberto Martínez Cantú, president of INDEX Nacional, stated that the visit is part of a strategic alliance aimed at consolidating regional integration.

“It is an alliance we are building with COSTEP and its team to hold a networking encounter where we trust we will emerge stronger and more united between INDEX Nacional and this South Texas region.”

Martínez explained that the agenda includes strategic working sessions to identify concrete areas of collaboration, information exchange, and joint project development.

Through this tour, COSTEP reaffirmed its role as a key partner of the binational manufacturing system and as a natural bridge for strengthening supply chains between both countries.

Broad Participation from Industry and Institutions

The event brought together representatives from INDEX Nacional and its regional committees, including Jael Durán, directora general; José Roberto Ruiz Flores, presidente de INDEX Metropolitana; Felipe Armando Villarreal Treviño, presidente de INDEX Nuevo León; Enrique Morán Romero, presidente de INDEX Nuevo Laredo; Alfonso Carlos Valdés Carmona, presidente de INDEX Guanajuato; René Espinosa Terrazas, presidente de INDEX Chihuahua; Rolando Alberto González Barrón, presidente de INDEX Matamoros; Salvador Roberto Maese Barraza, presidente de INDEX Mexicali; Guillermo del Río Ochoa, presidente de INDEX; Alfredo Guajardo Jiménez, presidente de INDEX Reynosa; and Ángel Ramón López Rodríguez, presidente de INDEX Yucatán.

Also attending were Jorge Huitrón Nieto, director de INDEX Metropolitana; Zelina María Fernández Alanís, directora de INDEX Nuevo León; Javier Herrera Jiménez, director de INDEX Nuevo Laredo; Roberto Mattus, director de INDEX Matamoros; René Marín Rivas, director de INDEX Mexicali; Jacobo González Torres, director de INDEX Occidente; Luis Méndez Benavides, director de INDEX Reynosa; Román Antonio Zabaleta, director de INDEX Yucatán; and Héctor Esparza Murúa, director de INDEX Zona Costa BC. In addition, Israel Morales, director del Comité de Relación México–Estados Unidos y Asuntos Internacionales; Liliana Hernández Álvarez, directora del Comité Shelter; and Juan Elyd Sáenz, director del Clúster de Proveeduría y Cadenas de Suministro de INDEX.

Representing COSTEP, Council for South Texas Economic Progress, were Adam Gonzalez, CEO; Mari Mann-Silva, interim CEO; Alma Saldaña Cruz, assistant director of economic development; Rick Carrera, director of economic development; and Rafael Tapia, grant manager.

Participants also included Jesús Cano, Consul Adjunto de México en McAllen; Sergio Gracia Badiola, presidente de Mexico Industry; Aaron Demerson, former commissioner representing employers at the Texas Workforce Commission; Francisco Peña, presidente de la Asociación de Empresarios Mexicanos (capítulo McAllen); Mark García, executive vice president, and Susie Flores, vice president of business recruitment & retention, both from McAllen EDC; and Jeffrey Salcedo, international development business manager at Edinburg EDC.

Additional attendees were Steve Valdez, executive director of Weslaco EDC; Gerald “Jerry” Schwebel, executive vice president of IBC Bank; Sam López of PNC Bank; Liliana Hernández Álvarez, directora general de Grupo American Industries and presidenta del Comité de Shelters de INDEX Nacional; Juan Antonio Díaz Ramírez, socio director de impuestos en Baker Tilly México; Marile del Rosario Rocha Flores, socia de impuestos en O&P Tax Consulting; Mariza Gutiérrez Galindo, plant manager de NIBCO Reynosa; Josué Reyes, coordinador zonal de Seguridad en el Trabajo del IMSS; Juan Anzaldúa Herevia, presidente de INDEX Matamoros; Javier Ortiz Muñoz, responsable del comité nacional de Comercio Exterior y Aduanas en INDEX; Jesús Cano, manufacturing specialist at TMAC-UTRGV; Joshua Rubin, vice president of business development at Javid LLC; Samantha Almaguer, commercial manager at Centinela Property; Saúl Maldonado, cofounder of SAM Engineering & Surveying (SAMES) Inc.; Ralph García, vice president of McAllen EDC; and Paolo Salerno, energy attorney.