General News

Devimar Wins Enviro Permits for Crucial ‘Mar 1’ Highway Project in Antioquia

Medellin Herald September 15, 2017

Medellin-based highway concessionaire Devimar announced September 13 that it has obtained two vital environmental licenses that pave the way for construction of the “Autopista al Mar-1” divided highway linking Medellin westward toward current and future Atlantic ports. The project also will

Companies

Gran Colombia Gold Hails Strike Settlement; Continental Gold Launches Ag Aid

Medellin Herald September 5, 2017

Toronto, Canada-based Gran Colombia Gold announced September 5 that a violent strike by illegal gold miners in the Antioquian municipalities of Segovia and Remedios is finally over – benefitting more than 2,500 legal miners affiliated with the company. The 42-days-long strike resulted in several deaths, widespread vandalism and economic suffering for thousands of residents

Colombian economy

Medellin Industrial Production Drops 6.8% in First-Half 2017

Medellin Herald September 1, 2017

The latest report from Colombia’s national Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística (DANE) shows that industrial production in metropolitan Medellin dropped 10% year-on-year in second quarter (2Q) 2017 and has fallen 6.8% through first-half (1H) 2017 (see chart, above). A sharp drop in textiles output (down 25%) and a 19.8% drop in “other manufactured goods”

Congresses & Conferences

SAO Celebrates 5th Annual Medellin Bird Festival October 3-8, 2018

Medellin Herald August 31, 2017

The Sociedad Antioqueña de Ornitologia (SAO, the Medellin ornithological society) announced September 19 that the fifth annual “Festival de las Aves de Medellin” will take flight October 3 to October 8. All local Festival programs — including lectures by national and international experts, special learning workshops and guided, local bird walks — are free. But

Companies

Orbis Trims Net Losses for 2Q 2017 Year-on-Year

Medellin Herald August 24, 2017

Medellin-based paints, chemicals, hardware supplies and pipe manufacturer Grupo Orbis this month posted a second-quarter 2017 net loss of COP$1.5 billion (US$504,000), an improvement over the COP$11 billion (US$3.7 million) net loss in 2Q 2017. Sales improved slightly in 2Q 2017 to COP$369 billion (US$124 million), versus COP$366.9 billion (US$123 million) in 2Q 2016,

Companies

Familia SA 2Q 2017 Profits Soar Year-on-Year

Medellin Herald August 24, 2017

Medellin-based multinational personal hygiene products manufacturer Familia SA announced this month that its second quarter (2Q) 2017 net profits soared to COP$51 billion (US$17 million), up from a COP$51 billion (US$17 million) net loss in 2Q 2016. Sales also rose in 2Q 2017, to COP$583 billion (US$196 million), versus COP$570 billion (US$191 million) in 2Q […]

Companies

Enka 1H 2017 Profits Fall Year-on-Year; Coltejer Losses Mount

Medellin Herald August 24, 2017

Medellin-based Enka de Colombia – producer of fibers and filaments including nylon and polyester – this month reported that its first-half (1H) 2017 net profits fell to COP$1.9 billion (US$641,000), down sharply from COP$9.3 billion (US$3 million ) in 1H 2016. Sales also dropped year-on-year, to COP$84.8 billion (US$28.6 million) in 1H 2017, versus COP$92.5 […]

Companies

Compañía de Empaques Sees 1H 2017 Profits Drop

Medellin Herald August 24, 2017

Medellin-based Compañía de Empaques – makers of fibers for industrial, agricultural, construction and infrastructure sectors – announced this month that its first-half (1H) net profits fell to COP$1.96 billion (US$662,000), compared to COP$13.5 billion (US$4.5 million) in 1H 2016. While sales rose year-on-year — to COP$193 billion (US$65 million) in 1H 2017 versus

Companies

Mineros SA First-Half 2017 Net Profits Dip 2.9% Year-on-Year

Medellin Herald August 20, 2017

Medellin-based gold mining giant Mineros SA announced August 17 that its first-half (1H) 2017 net profits dipped 2.9% year-on-year, to COP$74 billion (US$24.7 million), while operating income dipped 4%, to COP$199 billion (US$66.6 million). Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) fell 12.2% year-on-year, to COP$100 billion (US$33 million),

Profiles

‘Digital Nomads’ Becoming Permanent Medellin Residents: 3 Stories

Medellin Herald August 19, 2017

Until recently, twenty-nine-year-old U.S. expat Steve Marcinuk – who has worked in 30 countries and scores of cities – could be tagged as a “digital nomad” who’s only temporarily in Medellin. But that’s changing as Marcinuk – having just completed his first full year in Medellin — instead is putting down roots, making plans and […]