2012

The Confederation of Industrial Camaras of Mexico (CONCAMIN), gave to FEMSA the "Ethics and values in the industry" recognition in the large companies category, for the seventh consecutive time. The award recognizes business culture based on values and the rule of law, as well as sustainability programs that operates in the FEMSA companies.

FEMSA and its business units receive the socially responsible company (ESR) distinction awarded by the Mexican Center for Philanthropy (CEMEFI) due to its programs and initiatives related to quality of life in the company, social participation and reinforce to the development of communities, responsibility for products, responsible for marketing and care to the environment, among others.

Coca-Cola FEMSA S.A.B. de C.V. and Grupo Fomento Queretano, S.A.P.I. C.V. and its shareholders, announced the successful merger of the operations of Group Fomento Queretano with Coca-Cola FEMSA. This transaction obtained all required approvals, including the approval of the Federal Commission of competition and of The Coca-Cola Company.

2011

 

Coca-Cola FEMSA announced the successful closing of the acquisition with The Coca-Cola Company, of dairy industry group in Panama ("Estrella Azul" and "El Prado"), a manufacturer and marketer of dairy products, juices and soft drinks with more than 50 years of leadership in the market of Panama. This transaction would allow the company to enter in the category of milk and dairy products, one of the segments of dynamism, scale, and value in the industry of drinks non-alcoholic in Latin America.

The ESR distinction afforded by the Mexican Center for Philanthropy (CEMEFI) has been awarded to the business units Coca-Cola FEMSA, FEMSA Comercio, FEMSA Empaques and FEMSA Logística for the seventh consecutive year. FEMSA has obtained it for the fifth consecutive year.

OXXO, opened its store number 9,000 in Mexico in the city of Oaxaca, which continues to contribute to the growth and development of the communities where it operates throughout the national territory.p>

Coca-Cola FEMSA S.A.B. de C.V. and Grupo Tampico S.A. de C.V. and its shareholders, announced the successful merger Division of Grupo Tampico with Coca-Cola FEMSA. This transaction obtained all required approvals, including the approval of the Federal Commission of competition and of The Coca-Cola Company.p>

Coca-Cola FEMSA S.A.B. de C.V. and Corporation of los Angeles S.A. de C.V. and its shareholders, announce the successful merger of the Division of beverage of Group CIMSA with Coca-Cola FEMSA. This transaction obtained all required authorizations, the adoption of the Federal Competition Commission and that of The Coca-Cola Company.p>

2010

 

On april 30, 2010, FEMSA announced the closing of the transaction pursuant to which FEMSA agreed to exchange 100% of its beer operations for a 20% econocmic interest in the Heineken Group, through this transaction we will increase our scale and geographic reach competing effectively.

FEMSA, the leading integrated beverage company in Latin America, won for the fifth time to the Ethics and Values in the industry Prize in its category, awarded by the Confederation of Industrial Chambers of Mexico (CONCAMIN).

With the presence of local authorities and representatives of the Chain, opened the store number 8,000 OXXO in the Mexican Republic, it is located in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato is one of the most emblematic places in the history of our country, and the opening matches in a significant period as it is the month of September, and the year of celebration of the bicentennial of the independence of Mexico.

2009

 

Coca-Cola FEMSA and The Coca-Cola Company announced on February 27th 2009, the successful closure of the acquisition for the bottled water business Brisa (including the brand and the productive assets), property of the enterprise Bavaria, a subsidiary of SABMiller.

On may 13th 2009, Coca-Cola FEMSA inaugurated in Chalco, Estado de México, a Mega Distribution Center, which will attend more than 18,000 clients, through its infrastructure of 40,000 m2 and a vehicle float of 112 delivery buses, pre-vending and utilitarian vehicles.

 

Since September 2009, our OXXO clients have the option of making their purchases using credit and debit cards in all of our convenience stores nationwide.

 

On September 2009, FEMSA launched Imbera, company that produces commercial freezers creating a new standard in the industry, due they use state of the art technology developed by the company, which generates the highest operating efficiency and the lowest energy consumption in this kind of machines worldwide.

 

On November 16th 2009, FEMSA Foundation and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), made the first edition of the Water & Sanitation Prize for Latin-America and the Caribbean, contest that emphasizes in the innovations of water management, sanitation and solid wastes handling.

 

FEMSA Foundation jointly with the government of Costa Rica, the private sector and academic sector, signed an alliance for the creation of the first Center for Water Resources in Central-America and the Caribbean.

 

OXXO celebrated the opening of its 7,000 store in Tizimín, Yucatán, Mexico.

2008

 

On March 2008, for the fourth consecutive year, FEMSA and its strategic business units: Coca-Cola FEMSA, FEMSA Comercio, FEMSA Empaques and FEMSA Logística were recognized with the Socially Responsible Company (ESR) Award given by CEMEFI. Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma also achieved this recognition for the second time. With this award we reinforce our commitment with the community, our collaborators and the environment.

 

On June 26th 2008, Coca-Cola FEMSA (KOF) successfully closes a transaction with The Coca-Cola Company to acquire the Refrigerantes Minas Gerais Ltda., (Remil) franchise, for 364.1 Million. This attainment increases our presence in Brazil by more than a third, and substantially grows the number of clients and consumers attended in that market.

 

On November, FEMSA is included on the list of the 10 best employers of Mexico, by receiving the Best Employers Mexico 2007–2008 Award. The recognition was given by Hewitt Associates, the internationally distinguished human resources company.

 

On November 14th 2008, Fundación FEMSA was established as an instrument that supports the education, science and technology for the conservation and sustainable use of water and the promotion of healthy living in our community.

2007

 

On November 8th 2007, Coca-Cola FEMSA (KOF) and The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC) acquire 100% of Jugos del Valle, who operates in Mexico and Brazil, holding second and first place in these markets. This operation consolidates KOF’s position in non-carbonated beverages, insuring exceptional beverage quality and service to its consumers.

2006

 

FEMSA Cerveza acquires controlling stake in Brazilian Brewer Kaiser, by acquiring ownership of 68% of the equity of Kaiser, for US$68 million. FEMSA now becomes the only brewer with meaningful operations in both Mexico and Brazil, two of the world's most attractive beer markets.

2005

On March 1st, FEMSA is recognized as a Socially Responsible Company (ESR) by CEMEFI, for its business units of Coca-Cola FEMSA, FEMSA Comercio (OXXO), and its Strategic Procurement area. This award is the result of a social responsibility commitment reflected in its operative strategic management and business, as well as environmental care, support to education, culture and to the communities in which they operate.

On July 13, the joint-efforts of Coca-Cola FEMSA, together with Coca-Cola Mexico and ALPLA - who together formed IMER (the Mexican Recycling Industry)- resulted in the opening of the first bottle-to-bottle PET recycling plant with greater capacity in Latin America and first in its type in Mexico.

With a US$20 million dollar investment, this plant is able to guarantee the highest standards of quality and purity, so that the material produced in this plant will be reused in the production of new bottles.

Being the first and greatest with this technology in Latin America, and the largest in the world, with a capacity of 25,000 tons annually, this plant turns Mexico into one of the pioneering countries that supports the development of procedures that protect and preserve the environment.

In September 2005, a national sales, marketing, and distribution agreement was executed with Sleeman Breweries, a leading nationwide premium Canadian brewer. Effective January 1, 2006, this agreement offers significant growth opportunities for our Sol and Dos Equis brands across the Canadian market.

In October 2005, a new sales, marketing, and distribution agreement was settled with Molson Coors to serve the UK-our second most important export market after the United States.

At the end of October in the city of Puebla, with a US$40 million dollar investment, FEMSA Cerveza inaugurates the greatest malting facility in Mexico and one of the greatest in the world, fortifying the national productive chain of the Mexican malting industry.

These operations will benefit more than 12,000 agriculturists and its families, in the states of Puebla, Tlaxcala, Mexico, Hidalgo and Bajío, by assuring them a barley consumption of more than 250,000 tons per year and making use of 80.500 hectares of crops, which will represent an economic impact superior to $500 million pesos.

On the other hand, with an investment of about US$6 million dollar in modern facilities, Coca-Cola FEMSA inaugurates a Mega-Distribution Facility in the industrial park "Puebla 2000" in the city of Puebla. Being one of the greatest in Mexico, this facility speeds up the independent distribution of refreshments in grocery stores, miscellaneous stores, food and drink establishments, schools, supermarkets and convenience stores.

In November, Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma gave 87 certificates to the first generation of waiters and barmen who became qualified in courses of "El Mesero Responsable" (Responsible Waiter), distributed in September and October. This course is an educational program looking to create conscience between waiters and barmen about the importance of contributing in the effort to promote responsible lifestyles and healthy life with approach in the moderate and responsible consumption of alcohol.

At the end of November, FEMSA obtained the Prize to " Ethical and Values in the Industry ", granted by the Mexican Chamber of Industry (CONCAMIN). This prize recognizes the Best Practices of ethics in businesses, promotion and experience of corporative values and social responsibility of all the companies that operate in Mexico.

2004

The mayor event during this year was the repurchase of FEMSA Cerveza's 30% share. This operation prepared FEMSA Cerveza to take control on the import, marketing and distribution of its brands in the USA, at the same time that allowed the company to explore strategic alternatives for this market.

In June, a commercial agreement was signed with Heineken to commercialize our beer brands in the United States. Under the terms and conditions of this agreement, Heineken USA takes responsibility for the promotion, selling and distribution of the following brands: Tecate, Dos Equis, Sol, Carta Blanca, and Bohemia among US Territory, starting January 1st, 2005.

Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma and Coors Brewing Company announced a 10-year agreement, which grants our brewery to be the exclusive seller of Coors Light in Mexico. With this agreement both parties take advantage of a business opportunity to complement their principal strategies.

2003

On May 6th, Coca-Cola FEMSA announced the final acquisition of Panamco (Panamerican Beverages, Inc.), transaction considered as one of the biggest international acquisitions performed by a Mexican company. This turns Coca-Cola FEMSA into the leader bottling company of Coca-Cola products in Latin America, as well as Coca-Cola's second largest bottler worldwide.

2002

In December, FEMSA, Coca-Cola FEMSA and Panamco (Panamerican Beverages, Inc.) announced a final agreement in which Coca-Cola FEMSA acquires Panamco.

Panamco was the largest bottling group in Latin America and one of the three largest bottling groups of Coca-Cola products in the world. Panamco produced and distributed the Coca-Cola brand portfolio in its territorial franchises in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil, as well as bottled water, beer and other drinks in some of these territories. Panamco was one of the main bottler of The Coca-Cola Company.

2000

The subsidiary, Corrugados Tehuacán, a cardboard box factory, was sold to Willamete Industries.

An alliance between ORACLE and FEMSA Logística led to the creation of Solistica.com, a company that provides logistics services over the Internet.

After almost 22 years, the Museum of Monterrey, pioneer in the diffusion and promotion of art in the city, closed its doors. FEMSA made this decision so that it could focus its philanthropic efforts on projects that would have a higher social impact, such as education; support for the underprivileged sectors of the population; tasks related to environmental protection; and, of course, cultural programs (see Social Responsibility).

1998

VISA's name was changed to FEMSA, after an exchange of stock between both firms' holding companies shareholders.

In May, FEMSA stock was listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

FEMSA Logística began operating as an independent company.

1996

This year marked the acquisition of Sirsa's territory in Buenos Aires (Coca-Cola FEMSA, Buenos Aires - KOFBA).

The Group acquired a further 24% of KOFBA stock.

1995

The company entered into a 50%-50% partnership with Amoco Oil Co. to form Amoxxo, which operates the OXXO Express service centers.

1994

The partnership with John Labatt Limited, a renowned Canadian brewery, was consolidated with the acquisition of 30% of the Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma stock by the Canadian brewery.

The presentation of Carta Blanca was changed during this decade. The new image and quality received the "Monde Selection" prize and certification in Paris, France.

Tecate celebrated its first 50 years by becoming the number-one imported canned beer in the USA, a position it still boasts today.

The Group acquired 51% of the stock of Coca-Cola in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

1993

The Coca-Cola Co. acquired 30% of Coca-Cola FEMSA stock.

19% of Coca-Cola FEMSA's capital was listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

1991

Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma opened one of the most modern beer plants in the world in Navojoa, thus optimizing supply to the northeastern region of Mexico and to foreign markets. The plant was able to report an unprecedented fivefold increase in production just two years after its opening.

Following its tradition as an innovative leader and to meet the demands of the consumer, the brewery launched the Tecate 12-pack presentation, XX Lager in a can, and Tecate Light in both cans and bottles.

During this same decade, the Sol brand conquered the European market. Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma reaffirmed its vocation for international trade by exporting its products to more than 55 countries, some of which were traditionally beer-drinking nations, such as England and Germany.

1990

The brewery's new graphic identity was introduced, bringing together the images of the two Aztec emperors after whom Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma is named.

1989

 

1988

In 1988, after restructuring the company's debt, FEMSA (Fomento Económico Mexicano, S.A. de C.V.), the main subsidiary of VISA, was constituted, bringing together the beer, packaging, soft-drink and retail companies.

1985

A new era of the Mexican beer industry began with the historical merger of the Cuauhtémoc and Moctezuma Breweries. The resulting synergies made it possible to offer consumers more and superior alternatives, to maintain the leading position in the domestic market, and to reinforce competitiveness in the international marketplace, with the addition of the prestigious brands XX Lager, Superior, Sol and Noche Buena to Cervecería Cuauhtémoc's portfolio.

1983

 

 

1980

The "Beer Drive" system was introduced to improve the distribution of draft beer to consumption centers by using refrigerated tanker trucks.

1979

Coca-Cola FEMSA was founded.

 

1977

On November 7 the Museum of Monterrey was opened in an old section inside the brewery's main building where the first brewing kettles used to operate. The museum was founded with the purpose of contributing to the dissemination of all types of art, in particular painting and sculpture.

The two-piece can was first produced and used. This kind of can prevents leaks and improves the product's quality.

1974

The companies belonging to the industrial group separated and VISA emerged as the holding company of Banca Serfín and Cervecería Cuauhtémoc, together with the companies that make up its vertical integration (basically packaging companies). The other holding company formed during this year was Grupo ALFA.

1973

Mexican baseball authorities conceded the lifetime venue of the Hall of Fame to the brewery to honor those men who dedicated their lives to "the king of sports." The Hall of Fame is located in the gardens of the Monterrey brewery. Additional halls dedicated to other sports have since been included.

ITESM celebrated its 30th anniversary, with 6,500 students, 11 external units, 29 undergraduate courses, 13 master's courses and one doctorate.

1971

Lightweight plastic boxes were introduced to transport bottles more safely.

1969

A bottle with a specially designed screw-top opener on the bottom was launched to make it even easier to open bottles.

Cervecería Cuauhtémoc built a plant in Toluca, Mexico, which was the most modern and advanced beer plant in Latin America at the time.

1967

Cervecería Cuauhtémoc introduced the screw-top bottle. The thread on the bottleneck made it possible for the consumer to open the bottle manually, without a bottle opener.

1964

Ring-pull cans were introduced, giving consumers yet another advantage by eliminating the need for can openers.

1960

Cervecería Cuauhtémoc launched the one-liter bottle presentation known as "Caguama," offering the consumer economic advantages and convenience.

1957

Grafo Regia, an internal department of Cervecería Cuauhtémoc, started operations as an independent label plant. Its activities later expanded to include all kinds of flexible packaging.

During this decade, the President of Mexico, Adolfo Ruiz Cortines, inaugurated the Cuauhtémoc neighborhood in Monterrey with 1,318 houses for the Group's employees and workers. This was another social benefit offered ahead of the times, before the creation of the Mexican federal housing development institute, Infonavit.

1954

 

The brewery took this brand and launched it nationwide as the first canned beer in Mexico.

1948

Crushed ice was first used at points of sale in order to offer consumers cold beer.

 

This year marked the introduction of "Transparámbar," the transparent amber glass bottle to protect the beer from the adverse effects of light.

1945

The Sociedad Cuauhtémoc y Famosa clinic was inaugurated to provide free medical care for the company's employees and workers at a time when the Mexican Social Security Institute had still not come into existence.

1944

 

1943

Hojalata y Lámina (HYLSA) came into being, with 179 employees and workers, and 3 million pesos' capital. HYLSA was founded to produce sheet steel, an essential raw material for bottle caps, because during the Second World War it was impossible to import this product.

It is said that at first the steel produced was of such poor quality that the brewery could not use it for bottle caps. Nevertheless, over time HYLSA became one of Mexico's most important companies, renowned for the quality of its products and its technological development.

The Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) opened on September 6th, thanks to the insight of Eugenio Garza Sada, the then director of Cervecería Cuauhtémoc. It was called "The Ninth and Most Beloved of the Children" of Eugenio, the Institute's most fervent promoter and innovator.

ITESM opened its doors with 350 students and 14 professors in downtown Monterrey at Abasolo # 858, on the third floor of the Bank of Nuevo León building. This building later became the Hotel Plaza, a residence for out-of-town students. León Avalos Vez was the first President and Roberto Guajardo Juárez was the General Secretary of the Institute. The TEC de Monterrey, as it is known, now has 32 campuses throughout Mexico and is the most prestigious private university in Latin America.

1940

Almacenes y Silos was founded in response to the need for warehouses to store the Cuauhtémoc Brewery's products.

Cervecería Cuauhtémoc celebrated its 50th anniversary.

1936

Titán S.A. was established as an independent company with an initial capital of 750,000 pesos and 180 employees and workers. The company expanded its operations until it produced all kinds of cardboard packaging. Titán had originally been a department of the company Fábricas Monterrey that only produced corrugated cardboard boxes.

Malta S.A. was created to supply the brewery with malt, an essential raw material in beer production.

Valores Industriales S.A., the holding company for the Cuauhtémoc concerns, was founded.

The savings bank changed its name from Sociedad Cooperativa de Ahorros e Inversiones para los Empleados y Operarios de la Cervecería Cuauhtémoc, S.A., to Sociedad Cuauhtémoc y Famosa (SCyF).

During this decade, the Carta Blanca oval was first introduced as the brand's logo.

1930

The replacement of the original wooden casks used for storing draft beer by metal cylinders made it possible to pasteurize this kind of beer, giving the consumer a better product and completely eliminating carbon dioxide leaks.

Cervecería Cuauhtémoc began exporting its products officially and systematically.

1929

A retail supply company (Compañía Comercial Distribuidora) was incorporated.

1926

Glass bottles were packed in corrugated cardboard cases instead of wooden boxes.

1923

The use of carbon dioxide gas helped to perfect the service of providing consumers with draft beer.

1921

Fábricas Monterrey, S.A. de C.V. (FAMOSA), which was originally one of the brewery's internal departments, became an independent company and was installed opposite the plant.

FAMOSA began producing crown caps and then expanded its production to metal containers.

1918

On March 30th the group incorporated the Sociedad Cooperativa de Ahorros e Inversiones para los Empleados y Operarios de la Cervecería Cuauhtémoc S.A. [Savings and Investment Union for the Cuauhtémoc Brewery's Employees and Workers], (known today as SCyF), in order to promote the integral development of the brewery's workers and their families. Its original objective was to provide them with groceries to improve their standard of living, as well as medical services, a savings bank, discounts, sports, courses and scholarships, among many other benefits.

1917

Eugenio Garza Sada joined the company as an assistant in the statistics department and later became the head of Cervecería Cuauhtémoc. At this time he defined one of the basic points of the company's philosophy, "People are more important than any economic consideration."

1914

Monterrey had not been involved in the Mexican Revolution, but was obliged to take part when Pablo González and his forces took the city and seized Cervecería Cuauhtémoc.

The seizure ended in November and Luis G. Sada, the brewery's first manager, said, "Nothing has happened here; let's get back to work?"

1911

 

1909

 

1908

HM Alfonso XIII, King of Spain, named Cervecería Cuauhtémoc as the official supplier of the royal household, entitling the brewery to use the Spanish Coat of Arms on its labels and stationery.

1905

 

1903

 

1900

Numerous famous people, such as General Bernardo Reyes, the governor of the state of Nuevo León at the time, visited the Brewery.

1899

On October 20th, Fábrica de Vidrios y Cristales was founded to provide an internal supply of glass bottles. It employed expert glass blowers from abroad, but technical difficulties and high costs soon resulted in its temporary closure.

1893

The launching of the first draft beer, called Cuauhtémoc, was so successful that draft beer production became a permanent aspect of the brewery's activities.

Carta Blanca obtained The Gold Medal in Chicago, the first such award conferred on a Mexican beer.

1892

Cervecería Cuauhtémoc began the first of a long list of innovations, replacing the casks originally used for storing bottles with wooden crates that made transportation easier.

The offices were moved to the plant.

1890

FEMSA's history began in 1890 with the founding of the brewery Cervecería Cuauhtémoc in Monterrey, N.L., thanks to a group of enthusiastic entrepreneurs led by Isaac Garza, José Calderón, José A. Muguerza, Francisco G. Sada, and Joseph M. Schnaider.

Under the trade name of Fábrica de Cerveza y Hielo Cuauhtémoc, the company started out with just 70 workers, 2 administrative employees, and 100,000 pesos' capital. The offices were located in a grocery store known as Casa Calderón on Padre Mier and Galeana streets. The plant was built on the site on which today's plant stands.

The first brand of beer to be marketed was Carta Blanca, followed by Saturno, which was withdrawn from the market after just a short time, and then disappeared.

Carta Blanca in a transparent bottle with a wire-reinforced cork became the company's leading-edge beer and one of the best selling brands in Mexico, a position which it still retains today.