Juan González Moreno received the "2017 Good Neighbor" award from the Mexico-United States Chamber of Commerce

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Since its creation more than four decades ago, the United States Chamber of Commerce has recognized ministers, ambassadors, governors, senators, former presidents, executive directors of companies, presidents of organizations and others with this award who have provided significant impetus to relationships between the two countries.

In addition, and after highlighting the development of social programs driven and directed by Juan González Moreno in the United States to help and support Hispanic communities there, the President of the United States Chamber of Commerce, Albert Zapanta, bestowed the recognition on the Mexican businessman.

In turn, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Gruma noted that, "at this significant moment in the Mexico-United States relationship, this award sends us and the entire world a very clear message that Mexico and the United States are good neighbors and should continue to be good neighbors."

"After 40 years of operations in this country, at Gruma, through Mission Foods and Azteca Milling, we know that Mexicans and Americans now share the same table and enjoy the same flavors. And after all of these years, I would like to reiterate our enthusiasm and commitment to continue supporting the Hispanic community in the United States," González Moreno added.

At the offices of the Organization of American States (OAS) and speaking to businesspeople and special guests from both countries, the businessman from Nuevo Leon said: "For me, the relationship between Mexico and the United States is very important. Thus it is with great satisfaction and pride that – in collaboration with the prestigious Southern Methodist University in Texas – we are founding the Texas-Mexico Mission Foods Center. This will enrich the dialogue about the economic, political and social ties between Mexico and Texas and the United States as a whole."

"We would like students to be prepared for a better future, and to strengthen the solidarity between our countries, and also to create better business opportunities. It would be a huge achievement to see other companies replicate this initiative in other states and in other academic institutions in the country," said the President and Chief Executive Officer of Gruma, Juan González Moreno.

Gruma, the leading company worldwide in the production of corn meal, tortillas and wraps, began operations in the United States in 1977; the company's first plant was located in Canoga Park, California.

It currently has 20 tortilla and related foods production plants, and six corn meal processors strategically located throughout the United States, to handle its clients and consumers efficiently.

Over the last 12 months it has invested more than 100 million dollars for construction in Dallas, Texas, of the largest and most modern tortilla production plant in the world. It will begin operations in the second half of this year.

Gruma has also invested around 40 million dollars in its plant in Evansville, Indiana, and another 70 million dollars in expanding production capacity at its plants in Lakeland, Florida, Panorama City, California, and Goldsboro, North Carolina, among others.

The multinational company's sales in the United States in 2016 were $2.024 billion dollars, which is 54% of the company's total sales worldwide.

SOURCE Gruma-Mission Foods