{"id":657406,"date":"2025-10-22T21:12:56","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T21:12:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.investpr.org\/puerto-rico-where-advanced-manufacturing-meets-resilience-innovation-and-trust-2\/"},"modified":"2026-07-30T16:32:55","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T16:32:55","slug":"puerto-rico-where-advanced-manufacturing-meets-resilience-innovation-and-trust","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.investpr.org\/es\/puerto-rico-where-advanced-manufacturing-meets-resilience-innovation-and-trust\/","title":{"rendered":"Puerto Rico: Donde la Manufactura Avanzada se Encuentra con la Resiliencia, la Innovaci\u00f3n y la Confianza"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In an era of global supply-chain realignment, Puerto Rico is emerging as a strategic hub for advanced manufacturing within the United States.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the Puerto Rico Manufacturing Summit 2025<\/em>, leaders across biopharma, technology, food production, and energy agreed: resilience, innovation, and a highly skilled local workforce are Puerto Rico\u2019s strongest advantages.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Leaders
From left to right: Dr. Ronald E. Hern\u00e1ndez Maldonado, Ing. Liza Cordero, Carlos Rovira, Irene Villafa\u00f1e, Carlos Rodr\u00edguez Gurrola, and moderator Luis Alema\u00f1y.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Amgen Strengthens Its Commitment with a $650 Million Expansion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For Amgen<\/strong>, one of the world\u2019s leading biopharmaceutical companies, confidence in Puerto Rico translates into long-term investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company recently announced a $650 million expansion of its Juncos facility<\/strong>, expected to create around 750 new jobs<\/strong> and expand global production capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the summit, Irene Villafa\u00f1e<\/strong>, Vice President of Manufacturing \u2013 Drug Product<\/em>, emphasized that this investment reflects both operational excellence and the trust the company places in Puerto Rico\u2019s manufacturing ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She noted that Puerto Rico\u2019s reliability, quality standards, and workforce performance exceed many global markets<\/strong>, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of Amgen\u2019s U.S. biomanufacturing network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The expansion will integrate advanced biomanufacturing technologies<\/strong> to strengthen Amgen\u2019s global supply chain and deepen Puerto Rico\u2019s role in U.S. biomanufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Automation with a Human Purpose<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the beverage and spirits sector, Ing. Liza Cordero<\/strong>, Master Blender at Destiler\u00eda Serrall\u00e9s<\/em>, described how automation has become a tool for empowerment rather than replacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based in Ponce, Destiler\u00eda Serrall\u00e9s is Puerto Rico\u2019s oldest family-owned distillery and the maker of iconic rum brands such as Don Q<\/strong> and Palo Viejo<\/strong>. Since 1865, the company has combined tradition with innovation to produce world-class spirits that reach markets across the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By automating repetitive and ergonomically challenging tasks, Serrall\u00e9s has improved both efficiency and workplace safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAutomation has allowed us to optimize processes and protect our people\u2019s health while continuing to develop local talent,\u201d said Cordero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also emphasized that retaining and developing Puerto Rican talent is essential for competitiveness, noting that technology and people must advance together<\/strong> to meet the demands of modern manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resilience as a Competitive Edge<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Carlos Rodr\u00edguez Gurrola<\/strong>, General Manager of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) Puerto Rico<\/em>, highlighted how the company has strengthened its operations since Hurricane Mar\u00eda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From its facility in Aguadilla<\/strong>, HPE manages technology manufacturing, supply-chain operations, and IT services<\/strong>that support its global business. The site also operates a combined heat-and-power (CHP) plant<\/strong>, allowing it to stay fully operational even when the public grid is down \u2014 a model of energy independence and continuity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cResilience is more than energy \u2014 it\u2019s infrastructure, talent, and the ability to adapt quickly,\u201d Rodr\u00edguez Gurrola explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These investments demonstrate how companies in Puerto Rico are not just surviving disruptions but setting new standards for reliability and sustainability<\/strong> in advanced manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quality and Reputation That Build Confidence<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From the food manufacturing sector, Carlos Rovira<\/strong>, President & CEO of Rovira Biscuit Corporation<\/em>, reaffirmed that quality and reputation remain Puerto Rico\u2019s most valuable differentiators.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded in Ponce in 1929<\/strong>, Rovira is a family-owned company<\/strong> that has grown from a small bakery into one of Puerto Rico\u2019s most recognized food manufacturers, exporting its crackers across the U.S. and the Caribbean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDoing things exceptionally well is what keeps us competitive,\u201d Rovira said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That commitment to excellence is deeply rooted in the company’s people. Rovira’s success has been guided by generations of local talent – technicians, engineers, and operators – who continue to lead process improvements and adopt automation to enhance efficiency without sacrificing craftsmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a philosophy that mirrors Puerto Rico\u2019s broader manufacturing culture: innovation built on pride, skill, and precision.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Proven Platform for the Future of Manufacturing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Puerto Rico offers a rare combination of advantages for manufacturers seeking growth and stability:<\/p>\n\n\n\n