Multimexicans in the Iron and Steel Industry: Altos Hornos de Mexico and Industrias CH

The Iron and Steel Industry in Mexico has passed through several changes ranging from global to domestic issues. These changes have shaped this industry along with its enterprises in terms of internatio- nalization. The two Mexican enterprises chosen for this study are Industrias CH and Altos Hornos de México (AHMSA). The two of them are multinational enterprises that nowadays are competing face to face with other multinational enterprises from developing and developed economies. An important issue is how these enter- prises have grown so much. This chapter examines the history and evolution of these two enterprises, identifying particular features that have allowed them to establish subsidiaries in foreign markets.
Some of the main key lessons identified, and helpful to take into consideration for other entrepreneurs when thinking about going abroad, are the following: the improvement or creation of networks; strategic alliances; keeping in mind that exports could provide invalu- able knowledge and experience about foreign markets; always being clear about the expansion path that the firm is going to follow; and having the ability to adapt.