The English firm Inchcape has announced the acquisition of Grupo Rudelman, representative in Panama and Costa Rica of the Suzuki, JAC and Great Wall automobile brands, among others.
From a statement issued by Inchcape :
Inchcape plc (“Inchcape” or the “Group”)1 , the leading independent multi-brand Automotive Distributor and Retailer with global scale, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Grupo Rudelman, an Automotive Distribution business in Central America focused on Suzuki, for a total cash consideration of $284 million (£201 million2 ), on a cash-free and debt-free basis.
Puma Energy Service stations and distributors of Castrol in the isthmus will market the lubricants Castrol GTX, Castrol Magnatec and Castrol EDGE.
A statement from Puma-Energy reads:
CASTROL AND PUMA ENERGY JOIN FORCES IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
February 5, 2013 - Puma Energy LLC ("Puma Energy"), one of the largest independent oil companies in processing, marketing and distributing fuels and Castrol the leading lubricants company in the world, announced the creation of a strategic alliance to commercialize Castrol automotive lubricants in the Central and South America market.
Authorities published the schedule of activities related to the sale of the majority stake of distribution companies Metro-Oeste, Chiriquí and Elektra Noreste.
The National Authority for Public Services has reported the preliminary program of activities that will be carried out in the Concurrency Competitive Act for the sale of a block of not less than fifty-one percent (51%) of the Shares of the Electricity Distribution Companies held by Private Investors.
The North American HBFuller has agreed to sell its paint division to Pintuco, a subsidiary of the Colombian company, for $120 million.
Grupo Kativo, which until recently was owned by HB Fuller, is a leader in the Central American paint market. The company has over 60 years experience and has presence in six countries.
Grupo Mundial president Ernesto Fajardo Pinto, told Dinero.com, "With this acquisition, Pintuco is strengthened in a region of strategic interest and reaches a coverage in 11 Latin American countries. Grupo Kativo has a portfolio of products recognized for their quality, is a leader in paint sales in the region, has an extensive distribution network and very positive business and financial results."
Coopeleche has signed an agreement with Florida Bebidas who will manage its plant in Alajuela, Costa Rica, and distribute its entire product line.
The company Florida Bebidas has signed a strategic partnership with la Cooperativa Agropecuaria Regional de Productores de Leche (Coopeleche RL) located in San Ramon de Alajuela.
Florida will take over the production and distribution for the dairy cooperative, occupying the plant in San Ramón de Alajuela, reported Elfinancierocr.com.
Expansion plans by Gas Z and Tropigás include increasing the number of franchises that offer direct replacement of gas in residential homes.
After the merger, Gas and Tropigás Z, are thinking about expanding a franchise system to provide better service to customers in residential areas over a period of 5 years.
Franchises are businesses that operate as intermediaries between the supplier and user, and will be in charge of distribution in different areas, reports ElFinancierocr.com.
With the acquisition of the rights to auto-parts and replacements, Group Q becomes the unique distributor of the Chevrolet brand in Honduras.
Ingrid Antúnez in an article published in Elheraldo.hn writes: "Honduras is the third country where the group represents the Chevrolet brand. At present, it is a dealer in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Javier Madrid, general manager of Group Q, affirmed, “to become the distributor of Chevrolet for Honduras represents a vote of confidence that as a regional business you satisfy clients and meet their expectations of growth [even] set against the challenges of the local and global economy."