In the seven years since Gildan came to Honduras, the company has gone from zero employees to approximately 10,000. Lear also has seen an increase in numbers of employees since the firm acquired United Technologies Automotive and its facilities in Honduras seven years ago. The company has expanded its operations to three plants and 6,700 employees. In the wake of Lear's success, other companies that sell products to the wire harness manufacturer have set up in Honduras, including FCI and Delfingen Sofanou.


Deepwater Megaport Offers Major Advantage

Manufacturers and processors in Honduras can take advantage of the country's deepwater port of Puerto Cortes. As Central America's largest and best equipped port, it is one of Honduras' most valuable resources.

Located on the Caribbean Sea, Puerto Cortes has earned the U.S. government's Container Security Initiative (CSI) and Megaport certifications. It is the only port in the Western Hemisphere to have the Secure Freight Initiative (SFI), meaning all containers passing through the port - 100 percent - are scanned by U.S. Customs officials in Honduras and the United States. The process is fast, efficient, and guarantees that shipments entering the United States meet security requirements and can get to markets quickly.


Two Hours by Air, Two Days by Sea, to the U.S.!

Honduras' proximity to the United States - only two hours away by air and fewer than three days by sea - means manufacturers can get products and materials to and from the United States quickly.

Free Trade Zones also reduce manufacturing costs and speed delivery to waiting markets, and Honduras offers an added benefit by providing permanent free trade status anywhere in the country.

No duties are levied on any imports entering the zone as long as those products are needed for production, processing, and/or the manufacturing of products for export. All products leaving the plant for export - whether to the United States or any other market outside of Honduras - are duty free as well. The Honduran government also exempts FTZ companies from sales and corporate taxes.

Electricity rates in Honduras are among the most competitive in the region, approximately 9 cents to 13 cents per kw/hr for industrial and commercial use. Electricity and privately generated thermal energy are abundant nationwide, and the government is investing to increase generating capacity.

Manufacturing and textile production companies starting up in Honduras can find highly trained workers at the Instituto Politécnico Centroamericano (IPC). This technical school in Honduras' second largest city, San Pedro Sula, is recognized for the high caliber of its graduates as well as its many resources for companies in the country. The school has worker training contracts with a number of companies to ensure that workers are kept abreast of new developments and technology in their fields.

International manufacturers in Honduras include Lear, FCI, Novem, Delfingen Sofanou, VF Corporation, Unilever, Hanes, and Gildan.


Honduras…in perfect position for light
manufacturing investment.