Mexico City — Mexico's national plastics industry association has taken the unprecedented step of postponing the election of a new president and commissioners until August.
Outgoing President Juan Antonio Hernández León and his team of advisors, who sit on nine different commissions, had been expected to step down at Anipac's general ordinary assembly April 12 after two years in the job.
Anipac stands for Asociación Nacional de Industrias del Plástico A.C. It was founded in Mexico City in 1961 and is seen as the face of the country's plastics industry.
But rather than announce two candidates who would contest the presidency, Hernández said he and his team will remain in their posts for another four months. At that point, an election will be held and the new president and commissioners sworn in. Members unanimously approved the measure.
Hernández, a popular president who has overseen a series of measures that have reinvigorated Anipac, has been heavily involved in negotiations to modernize NAFTA from the plastics industry's perspective.
Whether the delicate state of the talks between the United States, Canada and Mexico was a factor in the decision to postpone the election is unclear.
However, one former Anipac president told Plastics News after the April 12 assembly that the positions of president and commissioners require experience and intelligence.
Another said that Hernández might have put himself up for reelection, meaning staying in the job for another two years, but did not want the responsibility for so long.
In another development at the meeting, Anipac Treasurer Ángel Oria told delegates the organization has signed an agreement with Plastimagen México organizer Krause Tarsus Management Services de México (KTMSM), which would benefit Anipac to the tune of 60 million pesos ($3.3 million) over 12 years, until 2030.
The agreement will allow the association to "strengthen industrial commercial relations in Mexico," Anipac said.
In a Spanish-language statement emailed to Plastics News April 13, KTMSM Managing Director José Navarro wrote that "E.J. Krause Tarsus is very pleased to have successfully ratified its collaborative agreement with Anipac with respect to its institutional support of Plastimagen until 2030.
"This is an example of the confidence that both organizations have in the future of Mexico's plastics industry."
The main points of the agreement are:
? All Anipac members, both national and international, will be eligible for discounts at Plastimagen México.
? Discount offers for exhibitors will cover extended time periods.
? An Anipac Pavilion at Plastimagen México will be aimed at small- and medium-sized exhibitors.
Plastimagen México 2019 is scheduled for April 2-5 in Mexico City.