Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico - On August 26 Cisco announced the opening of its Latin America Supply Chain Operations-Engineering Center in the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara. The new Center will support the expansion of the Cisco supply chain operation in Latin America, and in particular Guadalajara, where contract manufacturers have increased manufacturing for Cisco solutions in the region by more than 20% in the last 12 months.

In support of this, Cisco has increased the number of direct employees by almost 200% in the same period. The investment is in the areas of product fulfillment, materials management, logistics, planning, manufacturing and test development.

This investment adds to the existing 6,500 people in Mexico that produce Cisco products through Cisco contract manufacturers in the country; 2,500 of them are based in the state of Jalisco. In Mexico, Cisco manufactures produce routing, switching, IP-based mobile infrastructure and security solutions. These products are exported from Mexico to more than 90 countries, according to Cisco.

"The opening of Cisco's Guadalajara Engineering Center is part of our ongoing commitment to expand manufacturing in Mexico. By increasing our investments in the region, Cisco is driving growth of technology, innovation and regional commerce, and creating jobs in the local community," said John Kern, senior vice-president Supply Chain, Cisco Systems.

"Jalisco people are proud that Cisco chose our state to establish this center, as it will contribute to the development of our innovation and high technology ecosystem; we boost it to improve the quality of life of the people," said Jorge Aristoteles Sandoval Díaz, Governor of Jalisco state. "This center is one more proof that Jalisco has the talent, creativity and security conditions as well as economic stability to continue attracting investment."

"In Cisco we are so pleased that we continue growing our operation in Mexico. Now we are hosting the Cisco Latin America Supply Chain Operations and Engineering Center in the city of Guadalajara, known as the Mexican Silicon Valley. This investment reinforces the commitment of Cisco in the country as a result of the confidence in the country, and the environment that are fostered by the recent reforms, as well as, also opens new working opportunities for IT professionals," said Rogelio Velasco, vice-president of Cisco in México.

Cisco Mexico already has a sales office in Guadalajara; this is the second location of Cisco in the city.

The office was designed under the Cisco Connected Workplace guidelines, and includes distribution under "neighborhoods," groups of teams working together with a mix of spaces for individual and team needs, innovative working spaces such as informal meeting areas, E-Café and a creativity zone to relax, socialize, and inspire creativity as well as innovation.

The office is equipped with nine sets of TelePresence equipment, including a Cisco TelePresence® MX800 Dual system that consists of two 70-inch high definition LED screens.