The Smart Border Coalition held a Stakeholders Working Committee meeting on Thursday, May 11, at the San Diego Foundation to discuss their goals to improve the United States and Mexico border. Executive Director of the Smart Border Coalition Gustavo De La Fuente, presented the SBC report that included their goals to improve border wait times, access to roads, cargo pre-clearance, and many more prospective improvements.

The Aerospace Arizona Association led a delegation of aerospace industry and advocacy leaders on a 2 day mission to Tijuana. Several notable meetings with the Tijuana Mayor and his cabinet, the Tijuana Economic Development Council and local Mexico Shelter Companies provided unique insight into potential partnership opportunities between the two regions. In particular, during a visit to one of the leading Shelter Company in Tijuana, Co-Production International (CPI), the Arizona delegation was able to witness the operation of a premiere Administrative Services provider.

PITTSBURGH — Additive manufacturing is both growing and coping with growing pains. Companies “have to find ways to streamline” polishing and other finishing processes of 3D printed parts, industry consultant Terry Wohlers said today during a speech at RAPID + TCT. Such processes need more automation to improve the business case for additive manufacturing, he said. What’s more, Wohlers said the role of hybrid machines need to be sorted out. Such machines combine 3D printing and traditional cutting processes. Hybrid machines make sense for repairing parts, he said. But “a lot of problems need to be solved,” including software, before they can produce new parts in bulk, he said. Finally, the additive landscape is being altered as large companies become involved.

At 6pm on Monday, May 1, San Diego greeted Condor Airlines' first ever flight from Frankfurt, Germany. Condor begins seasonal, nonstop service between San Diego and Frankfurt with up to three flights weekly. “Germany is one of San Diego’s most important foreign markets. By providing nonstop service to Frankfurt from San Diego, we’re opening new doors to global markets that will attract exports and lucrative foreign investment for the region,” said City of San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer.

Corona and Dos Equis guzzlers around the world are turning Mexico into a global beer powerhouse. The Latin American nation produced 105 million hectoliters of beer in 2016, an 8.1 percent increase from a year earlier, according to the country’s beer chamber, vaulting past Germany as the world’s fourth-largest producer. The vast majority of Mexico’s beer production comes from AB Inbev’s Grupo Modelo, which makes Negra Modelo and Corona, and Cuauhtemoc Moctezuma/Heineken, which produces Tecate, Bohemia and some Heineken.

Tesla’s factory in Fremont, California is growing faster than ever these days in preparation for the start of Model 3 production. The number of employees at the plant is expected to grow from 6,000 to 9,000 due to the current expansion. In order to fill some of the hundreds of positions currently listed, Tesla is turning to Mexico for the recruitment of manufacturing engineers.