COMPANYHISTORIES

Mexico

Companies based in Mexico, and the events that shaped them.

50companies1864–1998founding years46still active3no longer operating
§ 01

Mexico companies over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedGrupo Financiero Serfin, S.A.
1864
1867
TechnologyNobel patents dynamite.
1869
EconomyThe transcontinental railroad links the American coasts.
EconomyThe Suez Canal opens, reshaping global shipping.
1873
EconomyLevi Strauss patents riveted denim work pants.
EconomyThe Panic of 1873 triggers a global depression.
1876
TechnologyAlexander Graham Bell patents the telephone.
1879
TechnologyEdison demonstrates a practical incandescent lamp.
1882
TechnologyEdison's Pearl Street Station opens the electric-utility era.
1886
EconomyCoca-Cola is first served in Atlanta.
TechnologyThe Hall-Heroult process makes aluminum cheap to produce.
FoundedIndustrias Penoles, S.A. de C.V.
1887
1888
TechnologyKodak's roll-film camera brings photography to everyone.
1893
EconomyThe Panic of 1893 pulls down banks and overbuilt railroads.
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedSanborn Hermanos, S.A.
1907
1908
TechnologyFord's Model T puts the automobile within reach of the middle class.
1913
TechnologyFord's moving assembly line transforms factory production.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
1916
EconomyPiggly Wiggly opens the first self-service grocery store.
FoundedGrupo Herdez, S.A. de C.V.
1923
FoundedKimberly-Clark de México, S.A. de C.V.
1925
EconomyThe Grand Ole Opry begins broadcasting from Nashville.
1927
TechnologyThe Jazz Singer ushers in the era of sound films.
TechnologyLindbergh flies the Atlantic solo, and aviation captures the public.
1928
TechnologyPenicillin is discovered, opening the age of antibiotics.
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1931
EconomyThe Empire State Building rises in just over a year.
FoundedGrupo Financiero BBVA Bancomer S.A.
1932
1933
EconomyThe first drive-in movie theater opens in New Jersey.
FoundedGrupo Casa Saba, S.A. de C.V.
1937
EconomyThe Golden Gate Bridge opens as the world's longest suspension span.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
FoundedCelanese Mexicana, S.A. de C.V.
1944
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1946
TechnologyENIAC, the first general-purpose electronic computer, is unveiled.
FoundedEmpresas ICA Sociedad Controladora, S.A. de C.V.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedConsorcio G Grupo Dina, S.A. de C.V.
1951
FoundedTubos de Acero de Mexico, S.A. (TAMSA)
1952
1955
EconomyMcDonald's franchising begins, remaking fast food.
EconomyDisneyland opens and invents the modern theme park.
1956
TechnologyThe first transatlantic telephone cable opens.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
EconomyThe first Walmart opens, built on everyday low prices.
FoundedGrupo Industrial Bimbo
1965
1969
TechnologyARPANET, the internet's precursor, goes live.
FoundedGruma, S.A. de C.V.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
FoundedDesc, S.A. de C.V.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
FoundedGrupo Industrial Durango, S.A. de C.V.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedEditorial Television, S.A. de C.V.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
FoundedPulsar Internacional S.A.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
TechnologyThe first US in-vitro fertilization baby is born.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
TechnologyLinux and open source challenge proprietary software.
FoundedTV Azteca, S.A. de C.V.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1994
TechnologyE-commerce begins to disrupt retail.
EconomyNAFTA opens trade across North America.
EconomyThe Mexican peso crisis rattles emerging markets.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
1999
TechnologyNapster ignites the digital disruption of recorded music.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
TechnologyGPS opens to civilian use, turning location into a utility.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Grupo Financiero Serfin, S.A. →
Defunct · founded 1864 · Mexico
Grupo Financiero Serfin, S.A.
Grupo Financiero Banamex S.A. →
Active · founded 1884 · Mexico
Grupo Financiero Banamex S.A.
Industrias Penoles, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1887 · Mexico
Industrias Penoles, S.A.
Grupo Financiero Banorte, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1899 · Mexico
Grupo Financiero Banorte, S.A.
CEMEX S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1906 · Mexico
CEMEX S.A.
Sanborn Hermanos, S.A. →
Active · founded 1907 · Mexico
Best known in the United States as the American tourist's home away from home in Mexico, Sanborn Hermanos, S.A.
Vitro Corporativo S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1909 · Mexico
Vitro Corporativo S.A.
Corporación Internacional de Aviación, S.A. de C.V. (Cintra) →
Defunct · founded 1921 · Mexico
Corporación Internacional de Aviación, S.A.
Grupo Herdez, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1923 · Mexico
Grupo Herdez, S.A.
Ford Motor Company, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1925 · Mexico
Ford Motor Company, S.A.
Grupo Modelo, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1925 · Mexico
Grupo Modelo, S.A.
Kimberly-Clark de México, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1925 · Mexico
Kimberly-Clark de México, S.A.
Grupo Industrial Saltillo, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1930 · Mexico
Grupo Industrial Saltillo, S.A.
Grupo Financiero BBVA Bancomer S.A. →
Active · founded 1932 · Mexico
Grupo Financiero BBVA Bancomer S.A.
Casa Cuervo, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1934 · Mexico
Casa Cuervo, S.A.
Valores Industriales S.A. →
Active · founded 1936 · Mexico
The holding company Valores Industriales S.A.
Grupo Casa Saba, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1937 · Mexico
Grupo Casa Saba, S.A.
Petroleos Mexicanos →
Active · founded 1938 · Mexico
Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) is Mexico's largest enterprise in terms of total sales, total assets, personnel employed,…
Hylsamex, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1943 · Mexico
Hylsamex, S.A.
Celanese Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1944 · Mexico
Celanese Mexicana, S.A.
Grupo Cydsa, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1945 · Mexico
Grupo Cydsa, S.A.
Sears Roebuck de México, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1945 · Mexico
Sears Roebuck de México, S.A.
Empresas ICA Sociedad Controladora, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1947 · Mexico
Empresas ICA Sociedad Controladora, S.A.
Telefonos de Mexico S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1947 · Mexico
Telefonos de Mexico S.A.
Grupo Elektra, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1950 · Mexico
Grupo Elektra, S.A.
Consorcio G Grupo Dina, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1951 · Mexico
Consorcio G Grupo Dina , S.A.
Industrias Bachoco, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1952 · Mexico
Industrias Bachoco, S.A.
Tubos de Acero de Mexico, S.A. (TAMSA) →
Active · founded 1952 · Mexico
Tubos de Acero de Mexico, S.A., which is generally referred to by its acronym TAMSA, is one of the world's leading…
Controladora Comercial Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. →
Defunct · founded 1957 · Mexico
Controladora Comercial Mexicana, S.A.
Grupo TMM, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1958 · Mexico
Grupo TMM, S.A.
Grupo Industrial Bimbo →
Active · founded 1965 · Mexico
Mexico's biggest baker and food company, Grupo Industrial Bimbo, is a Mexican multinational conglomerate that derives…
Grupo Mexico, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1965 · Mexico
Grupo Mexico, S.A.
Grupo Posadas, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1967 · Mexico
Grupo Posadas, S.A.
Gruma, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1971 · Mexico
Gruma, S.A.
Organización Soriana, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1971 · Mexico
Organización Soriana, S.A.
Grupo Televisa, S.A. →
Active · founded 1972 · Mexico
Grupo Televisa, S.A.
Desc, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1973 · Mexico
Desc, S.A.
Alfa, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1974 · Mexico
Alfa, S.A.
Grupo Industrial Durango, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1975 · Mexico
Grupo Industrial Durango, S.A.
Bufete Industrial, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1977 · Mexico
Bufete (or Grupo Bufete) Industrial, S.A.
Internacional de Ceramica, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1978 · Mexico
Internacional de Ceramica, S.A.
Editorial Television, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1979 · Mexico
Editorial Television, S.A.
Grupo Carso, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1980 · Mexico
Grupo Carso, S.A.
Real Turismo, S.A. de C.V. →
Renamed · founded 1980 · Mexico
Real Turismo, S.A.
Pulsar Internacional S.A. →
Active · founded 1981 · Mexico 66265
Pulsar Internacional S.A.
Grupo Gigante, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1983 · Mexico
Grupo Gigante, S.A.
Wal-Mart de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1984 · Mexico
Wal-Mart de Mexico, S.A.
TV Azteca, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1993 · Mexico
TV Azteca, S.A.
Grupo Transportación Ferroviaria Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1996 · Mexico
Grupo Transportación Ferroviaria Mexicana, S.A.
Grupo Aeropuerto del Sureste, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1998 · Mexico
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste S.A.
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