Manufacturer Embracing Social Responsibility in Juarez Mexico

EL PASO, Texas - July 13, 2013 - PRLog -- El Paso, Texas,.--In its continuing efforts to combine good business practices with the need for social responsibility, MFI International is proud to announce its support for a new community center to be located in Ciudad Juarez known as The Point or "El Punto" in Spanish.

The goal is to promote the values and education of the Juarez Mexico community, and thus to facilitate, the international trade between the United States, Mexico and Canada by improving the quality of Mexican citizens. MFI, through its non-profit entity, the U.S. – Mexico - Canada Strategic Alliance (http://www.usmc-strategicalliance.org/), has committed significant funds over 4 years to the project which will be built on land valued at $30 million donated by the city of Juarez.

Cecilia Levine (http://www.mfiintl.com/our_team.asp), founder and President of the U.S.–Mexico-Canada Strategic Alliance, noted that, “MFI and the Strategic Alliance combined have demonstrated a remarkable foresight by embracing this project. It clearly shows our commitment to social responsibility in general and community involvement projects in particular.”

The Location - Juarez Mexico

The Point or “El Punto” in Spanish is not just a simple urban revitalization project. Instead it aims to capture, through its free-flowing architecture, the spirit of the city and reflect the ideas and dreams of its inhabitants. It will be situated along the U.S.and Mexico border, and will serve as an icon of cross border cooperation.

As the mayor of Ciudad Juarez, Hector Murguia Lardizabal, commented, “The continued business growth of Ciudad Juarez lends more confidence to the international investment community and "El Punto" is a significant manifestation of that confidence.”

He continued, “While this is an ostensibly social project, it will also provide socio-economic development of the Juarez – El Paso border. It is a win-win combination for both businesses and the bi-national community.”

The Project - El Punto

The project is a more than just a meeting place for the community, according to a recent article in the architectural portal Arquine (http://www.arquine.com/blog/el-palacio-de-oro-en-juarez/). El Punto will also feature a chapel and dedicated spaces for projects in education, music and personal growth. The structure itself will be designed by the world renowned Swiss architectural firm, Herzog & de Meuron . In particular, the building will include the following:

§  A unique and eye-catching architecture designed to draw tourists as well as local residents.

§  A community center designed to promote cultural and economic development in the city.

§  A chapel to meet the religious needs of the spiritual community.

§  Social services intended to elevate the standard of living and quality of life for all residents

§  A music academy to encourage participation by music lovers of all ages in local as well as the Classical tradition.

§  An educational center for fostering respect of the community.

§  An immigration facility to educate, counsel and aid those traveling to and from Mexico.

§  An outdoor auditorium for cultural and educational activities.

Project Timeline

The project kicked off its planning stage in late 2012 and the entire project is expected to be completed in 2016. Herzog & de Meuron (http://www.herzogdemeuron.com/index.html) are hard at work finishing the plans and drawings. Mrs. Levine summed up the sentiment nicely when she said, “The business world and the community do not have to be at odds. El Punto sends a powerful signal that both can work together to better meet the needs of each.”

About MFI International

For over 30 years, MFI International has developed itself into a leading provider of cost-efficient and flexible manufacturing services in the Juarez, Mexico region. With a truly bi-cultural management staff that has extensive experience in both US and Mexican operations in a wide variety of manufacturing sectors, MFI offers complete package solutions through its two divisions, contract assembly and shelter manufacturing support ("shelter services"), across a wide variety of industries including the Medical, Casket, Consumer Electronics, and Home Furnishing and Automotive industries. For more information, please visit www.mfiintl.com.