ESCOBEDO, NL. – In 1997, when International decided to set up its heavy-duty production plant in this municipality in the north of the country, it was an unpopulated area and Nuevo León’s manufacturing activity was far from representing 28.84% of the State’s Gross Domestic Product,according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) .
This manufacturing plant was the first production unit to be established in the state , thereby also motivating the attraction and development of companies supplying this industry, which is recognized as a contribution to the entity.
International celebrated one million units produced at this plant, which currently produces 240 units daily of seven different models, including the LT tractor-trailer, the HX and HV severe-duty trucks, and the MV medium-duty trucks, as well as the electric version of the latter, the eMV, of which two units are manufactured weekly.
Of the just over six thousand employees that International has, five thousand employees are concentrated in the Escobedo plant, and where, according to Fernando Galván, director of Manufacturing Operations at the EAP Plant, a mystique of shared responsibility is maintained and this is manifested in the success and collective results of the entire team.
Stefan Palmgren, who is responsible for Production and Logistics at TRATON , among other things , emphasized the plant’s adoption of the “International Way,” which is focused on innovation, sustainability vision and the adoption of technologies to guarantee quality for customers.
“The International Way is also a commitment to employee empowerment, fostering their mental capabilities and leadership,” Palmgren added.
Although construction of the plant began in 1997, it was on February 16, 1998 when the first unit manufactured on this production line was produced. It was the MV 4700 truck , with which this story began.
Rafael Alvarenga, President of Commercial Operations for International Latin America, referred to the company’s focus on being partners for clients, with solutions that transform operations.
Alvarenga highlighted that the plant’s performance was accompanied by the performance of the 17 distributor groups in the country, with which they have a presence in more than 90 service points, and that in 2024 it allowed them to have positive results such as an increase of +50% in sales within Classes 6 to 8.
Regarding the millionth unit, Carlos López, Sales Director of International Solutions, described that it is the LT S13 tractor-trailer delivered to Grupo Directo Express . Three commemorative units were made available, which completes the delivery of an order of 100 tractor-trailers.
Carlos López described that currently more than 50 clients are operating the S13, and in total there are more than 600 units with more than 26 million kilometers traveled.
In the case of Directo Express, the business model is comprehensive, where it is not just about selling trucks, “but also supporting customers throughout the entire operational stage,” added Carlos López.
Iago Cano, Commercial Manager of Grupo Directo Express, described that the group emerged in 2007 and in 2014 they had a change in business focus to stop importing used tractor trucks from the United States, to buy new tractor trucks.
International’s business model in conjunction with Grupo Fultra, which offers a comprehensive offering, allows access to efficient solutions and thus, “allows us to focus on what we know how to do, and we believe that in the future we will have more opportunities,” added Cano.
The LT S13 model has among its benefits the improvement in fuel efficiency of 8% compared to previous generations of engines, which can translate into savings of 3,700 liters of diesel per year, representing 100 thousand pesos per unit, as well as stopping the emission of 10 tons of CO2.
