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The Manufacturing Outlook: Specials Magazine
What once felt like forward-fiberglassthinking has become standard operating procedure: build for longevity, cut maintenance overhead and stay ahead of corrosion, pressure and environmental wear. The real challenge now is doing all three without compromising performance or design flexibility. Materials that simply meet minimum standards no longer cut it. Industries under pressure, from construction and transportation to energy and marine, need solutions that extend asset life, reduce upkeep and streamline operations. Plastimarmol—a fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) manufacturing specialist—has built its reputation on helping clients meet that demand. For over 40 years, Plastimarmol has helped clients rethink what FRP can do in construction, marine and transportation. Its products deliver a rare mix of strength, lightness and resistance to corrosion and environmental stress. Designed for the realities of corrosive and abrasive environments, Plastimarmol’s FRP components, like tanks, pipes, scrubbers, grating, platforms and structural profiles, are built to withstand daily exposure to chemicals, moisture and mechanical stress. This durability helps clients reduce unplanned downtime and extend asset life. That performance starts with materials. Plastimarmol uses premium resins like polyester and vinyl ester from leading U.S. suppliers like Ineos Derakane, Interplastic and AOC. These are reinforced with top-grade glass fibers from Owens Corning and Jushi USA. Each combination is selected to meet project-specific needs, especially when chemical resistance, high pressure or extreme temperatures are involved. A practical weight advantage backs that strength. Plastimarmol’s FRP delivers an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, enabling lightweight yet structurally sound systems. In industries like construction and transportation, this improves handling and logistics, reduces fuel costs and speeds up installation.
Contract Packaging
Plásticos Generales, S.A. (PGSA)
Manufacturing Robust Plastic Packaging Solutions at Scale
Arturo Siu, Director
From a small family business conceived forty years ago, Plásticos Generales, S.A. (PGSA) has grown into one of the most successful flexible film packaging manufacturers in Central America. It is known for its extensive range of products and fast shipping capabilities facilitated by its easy access to the Panama Canal. PGSA provides plastic packaging solutions tailored to a wide range of applications in the industrial, food and retail sectors. While most manufacturing companies specialize in a specific type of product, PGSA stands out due to its versatility. From simple trash liners, wicket bags, and drawstring bags to more complex printed lamination films, stand-up pouches, and barrier packaging; it offers a wide selection of products, with all its manufacturing capabilities powered by industry-leading European extrusion, printing and converting lines. With decades of expertise, PGSA is aware of the challenges that customers face and addresses them proactively. The pandemic has disrupted global supply chains, and extended lead time is a sore point for many clients. It currently takes at least 60 and up to 90 days for clients to import merchandise from Asia. PGSA ensures shorter lead times, getting products to major ports anywhere in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean within a week, saving them significant time whilst avoiding operational downtime. Clients are provided with realistic ETAs to set clear expectations. For instance, the transit time to either the East Coast or West Coast in North America and to major Caribbean countries is about seven days from port to port, with weekly departures from both Pacific and Atlantic ports. This unmatched shipping flexibility allows the company to outpace its competitors and emerge on top. One of the most distinguishing attributes of PGSA is that it is not only a manufacturing partner but also a logistical partner.
Contract Packaging
Printopac is a one-stop shop for packaging solutions that helps clients elevate their brand presence. A leader in the manufacturing of polypropylene plastic containers and covers, it uses FDAapproved raw materials and leverages best-in-class technology to provide high-quality products for its food and industrial sector clients. Blending its knowledge in artistic decoration with the technical know-how required for diverse packaging needs, it ensures clients receive holistic services under one roof. Its free technical and design consultations eliminate the need to reach out to multiple vendors, making it easier for small businesses to access services that complement each other. Establishing a brand name can be a daunting task for small-scale businesses entering a new product segment. Often, they lack the experience to create a design that appeals to their target audience and improves their brand value. Leveraging the services of a professional design team can prove to be expensive. With Printopac as their partner, clients are guaranteed a seamless experience. The team begins by scheduling an appointment with the in-house design team to create a brand image that makes the product stand out in the market. From designing the packaging to manufacturing, all steps are taken care of. “We help customers start their businesses from the ground up and provide them with a product that propels them to become market leaders,” says Pablo Mella Misle, deputy general manager of Printopac. Its portfolio of products includes thermoformed and injection molded containers, cups, and lids. Made solely out of polypropylene, they are reusable, enhance sustainability, and allow for high-quality prints and intricate designs.
Industrial Equipment
Electric Mobility - An Important Part towards Sustainable Mobility
Alberto De Icaza, Head External Affairs Mexico, ZF Group
Industrial Equipment
What is Behind Advanced Manufacturing?
Douglas Pedro de Alcantara, Chief Technology Officer, ROMI S.A [BVMF: ROMI3]
Industrial Supplier and Distributor
Evolving Manufacturing: The Strategic Role of Industrial Fastener Distribution
Blake Ritter, Branded Products Segment Manager, Lincoln Industries
Composite
Balancing Human Insight and Technological Innovation in Industrial Engineering
Oliver Olvera Fernandez, Manufacturing Director, Hope Global
Composite
Managing Complexity in Project Execution in Latin America
Pedro Elias Sabino-Rivero, Engineering and Construction Manager, Frontera Energy Corp
Composite
Development of the Logistics Warehousing Market in Brazil
Mariana Picolli, Senior Vice President, Development, Design & Construction, Brookfield Properties – Logistics
Composite
Tech Renaissance in the Construction Industry
Jose Chahuan Fernandez, Construction Director, Total Energies
IN MY OPINION
Composite
Sustainable Projects: Aligning Business And Purpose In Latin America
Jacquelina Dankfort, Director Operations & Business Generation Latam, Turner & Townsend
LAST WORD
Composite
Driving Holistic Sustainable Packaging Solutions
Martin Rathgeber, Director of Engineering, Berlin Packaging
IN FOCUS
Revolutionizing Industrial Printing and Packaging with FRP in Latin America
Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) offers strength, corrosion resistance, and lightweight benefits, enhancing industrial printing and packaging in Latin America, improving durability, safety, and cost efficiency.
Unifying Latin America's FRP Manufacturing Landscape
The growing use of FRP composites in Latin America highlights industry fragmentation, prompting efforts for standardization and certification to ensure quality and reliability in construction and infrastructure.
EDITORIAL
Redefining Manufacturing in Latin America
In São Paulo, Monterrey, and Bogotá, the signs of industrial progress are clear. Construction sites push skylines higher, delivery trucks move steadily with e-commerce orders, and store shelves display products in innovative, sustainable packaging. Beneath these everyday scenes lies a larger story. Latin America’s manufacturers are redefining growth through advances in FRP products, industrial printing, and packaging solutions.
FRP (Fiber-Reinforced Plastic) products have shifted from niche applications to essential materials. Industries such as construction, transport, and energy now rely on FRP for its strength, light weight, and corrosion resistance. Manufacturers in Latin America are serving both regional and global markets, while initiatives in recycling and reuse demonstrate a stronger commitment to sustainability. This balance of performance and responsibility is positioning the region as a competitive force in materials innovation.
Industrial printing and packaging reflect another side of transformation. Packaging today is more than protection; it is a brand statement. Digital printing, flexible films, and creative designs give products a striking presence in competitive markets. With e-commerce expanding rapidly, packaging has become the first physical interaction between consumers and brands, making innovation in this area both urgent and strategic.
Latin America’s packaging manufacturers are at the forefront of these shifts. Brazil and Mexico lead with scale, infrastructure, and growing consumer demand. Established players such as Klabin and Suzano anchor the pulp and paper sector, while innovators in flexible plastics introduce recyclable and smart packaging solutions. Johnson & Johnson’s recent eco-friendly launch in Brazil illustrates how global brands now view the region as a stage for meaningful innovation with worldwide relevance.
Together, these industries showcase resilience, creativity, and ambition. Latin America’s manufacturing landscape is no longer defined by following global trends. It is increasingly defined by setting its own rhythm and shaping the future of industry.
In this edition, insights are featured from Alberto De Icaza, Head of External Affairs Mexico at ZF Group, and Douglas Pedro de Alcantara, Chief Technology Officer at ROMI S.A.
