COLÓN, Querétaro – Governor Mauricio Kuri González officially inaugurated the second production plant of Grupo Pan de Pala Rifel in the municipality of Colón, marking a significant milestone for the state’s food industry and a major boost for private investment. The project, which represents an investment exceeding $100 million, aims to triple the company’s production capacity and generate more than 1,500 direct jobs.
Speaking at the Kaizen II Industrial Park, Governor Kuri highlighted Querétaro’s increasingly favorable conditions for corporate expansion. He underscored the state’s economic ecosystem, noting that the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMC) recently ranked Querétaro as the second most competitive state in the country in the 2026 State Competitiveness Index (ICE).
The opening of these new facilities represents a major consolidation for Grupo Rifel, a company that arrived in Mexico in 2016. After selecting Querétaro for its first production site, the company has experienced sustained growth, providing significant employment opportunities for local families.
“We are deeply committed to maintaining the ecosystem we have built here over many years,” Governor Kuri stated. “It has yielded excellent results for inclusive economies by betting on legal certainty, strong institutions, and the Rule of Law.”
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering innovation, industrial production, and job creation as primary drivers for the state’s transformation.
David Rifel Auvert, Director of Administration and Finance for Grupo Rifel, shared the company’s history during the event. Originally founded as a family project in Venezuela over 20 years ago, the business pivoted to Mexico in 2016. Since then, the company has achieved an annual growth rate exceeding 40%.
Currently employing over 800 people, Rifel expects the new expansion to surpass 1,500 direct jobs. The new plant will allow the company to strengthen its commercial alliances, broaden its national presence, and accelerate its export operations to the United States and Central America.
“We chose to continue growing in Querétaro because of its talent, infrastructure, and connectivity,” said Rifel Auvert. “Today begins a new chapter for Rifel, and we assume it with the commitment to continue serving our people, our clients, and the country that has allowed us to grow.”
The new infrastructure incorporates advanced automation and robotic systems sourced from manufacturers in the United States, Europe, and Asia. These technologies are designed to enhance process control, allow for rapid format changes, manage diverse production volumes, and maintain product consistency at a much larger scale.