BROWNSVILLE, RGV – Brownsville City Commissioner Joel Munguia says his city can become a manufacturing hub for the automotive and commercial trucking industries.
District 3’s representative on the city council pronounced his optimism upon news that CK Technologies, a market leader in providing plastic injection molded and chrome electroplated grilles for the commercial truck and bus industry, was expanding again.
“I am inspired by the collaboration between the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation (GBIC) and CK Technologies. This is just one example of Brownsville becoming a significant player as a manufacturing hub for the automotive and commercial trucking industries,” Munguia said.
“I am proud that CK Technologies has chosen to expand in our city, bringing high-quality jobs to a region that is vital to the growth of our state.”
CK Technologies is part of the Cascade Engineering Company. It opened a manufacturing plant in Brownsville in 2010 and since then has invested over $20 million in modernizing the facility.
“Our project was to have only 120 employees. It has been a very successful project and so we keep hiring people and we are up to 400 employees. The growth has been amazing,” said Griselda Muñoz, assistant plant manager for the Brownsville operation.
Muñoz gave an exclusive interview to the Rio Grande Guardian while attending a luncheon in honor of National Engineering Week, hosted by UT-Rio Grande Valley. Muñoz said CK Technologies is excited to be collaborating with educational institutions in the Rio Grande Valley.
“We have been working with different entities, like UTRGV, Texas Southmost College, Brownsville ISD to create that pipeline of skilled workers so we can hire them at CK,” Muñoz said.
“We want to start an internship program in the summer with the engineering department at UTRGV. I attribute our growth to the partnerships we have built in the RGV. When we work together we can be successful. Here, the people are amazing.”
Asked about Commissioner Mungia’s comment, that Brownsville can become a manufacturing hub for the automotive and commercial trucking industries, Muñoz said:
“The potential in the Rio Grande Valley is great. We just have to work at it. It is like a diamond, we need to polish it and make it shine. I am pleased to have the support of Commissioner Mungia and GBIC. It is a team effort and I think we can get there.”
Muñoz reiterated that her company’s work with educational partners is key. “CK is a big supporter of our local educational institutions. Anything they need we will be here.”
Kenyatta Brame, executive vice president and chief administrative officer of Cascade Engineering, said CK Technologies offers an average hourly rate of over $14 at its Brownsville plant.
“CK Technologies is looking forward to a continued partnership with the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation. Together we are investing in the training and development of local students who will be the future leaders of the manufacturing industry in Brownsville. This is a win for the students, business, and the entire Brownsville community,” Brame said.
GBIC is the economic development arm of the City of Brownsville. Its mission is to promote and increase economic and industrial competitiveness for Brownsville. Its chairman, Steve Guerra said:
“Great things are happening in Brownsville. I am excited to be a part of an organization that is actively helping companies grow and succeed in our community. These types of activities are in direct alignment with the mission of GBIC – to support advanced manufacturing companies that produce higher paying jobs for the citizens of Brownsville.”
Editor’s Note: The main image accompanying the above news story shows CK Technologies assistant plant manager Griselda Muñoz and Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation executive director Mario Lozoya at a National Engineering Week celebration event at UT-Rio Grande Valley in Brownsville.
Editor’s Note: For more information about CK Technologies go to the website: www.cktech.biz
