We are KUO, a Mexican industrial conglomerate with presence in more than 70 countries.

We maintain a leadership position in each of the businesses in which we participate.

The diversification of our business model, in sectors and geographies, continues to be successful

We place National Industry at the forefront with Technology, Innovation and Sustainability.

At KUO, we integrate anticorruption policies and practices stated through our Code of Conduct.

Learn about the latest Corporate and Sustainability events

We are KUO

We are KUO

Our business model is based on a constant focus on creating value in all its dimensions: economic, social and environmental.

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We are KUO

Our business model is based on a constant focus on creating value in all its dimensions: economic, social and environmental.

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Our History

’70

  • DESC was founded in 1973 as an industrial development company by Don Manuel Senderos Irigoyen † and a group of Mexican entrepreneurs.

    Originally it grouped seven companies: Negromex, Spicer, Industrias Resistol (IRSA), Petrocel, National DM, Automagneto and Industria de Baleros Internacional.

    From 1975 onwards, became a public company when it was listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange.

’80

  • In 1984 DINE became part of DESC, starting the Real Estate Division, which had already developed the first phase of Bosque de las Lomas.

    In 1989, Fernando Senderos Mestre was named Executive President and Chairman of the Board.

’90

  • The Consumer Sector is consolidated with Keken, Corfuerte and Authentic Specialty Foods businesses. In the Chemical Sector the company Hules Mexicanos is acquired and, from the Joint Venture with Repsol, Dynasol was created. We also acquired Tremec (manual transmissions).

    During this decade DINE began the development of the first stage of Punta Ixtapa, the development of Punta Mita and Bosques de Santa Fe.

    In 1993, DESC opened Santa Fe’s Shopping Center and a year later the Arcos Bosques Corporativo offices project. At the end of this decade the Four Season Hotel in Punta Mita was inaugurated.

’00

  • Resistol is sold and partnerships in some of the auto businesses are terminated. In 2007 DESC splits its real estate division forming DINE and KUO, the latter comprising industrial and consumer businesses.

    In 2008 the Branded Food Business signed a Joint Venture with Grupo Herdez and the year after they signed and additional Joint Venture with MegaMex Foods, the association with Hormel Foods, was created. In 2010, the acquisition of Don Miguel Foods in the United States was completed.

    As of 2010, KUO begins its transformation as a global producer as it grows its business in the United States and Europe.

’10

  • In 2011, an automobile brake business was purchased under the FRITEC® brand.

    The acquisition of Fresherized Foods, a leading company in the production of processed avocado and guacamole, was carried out.

    A business of dual clutch transmissions was integrated. In 2013, significant divestments were made of the following businesses: carbon black, agglomerates and eucalyptus plantations.

    In 2015, KUO consolidates Synthetic Rubber business globally, and focuses on the strategic projects on the Transmissions and Pork Meat businesses.

    In 2018, Tremec began the production of Double Clutch Transmissions (DCT).
 
  • ’70
  • DESC was founded in 1973 as an industrial development company by Don Manuel Senderos Irigoyen † and a group of Mexican entrepreneurs.

    Originally it grouped seven companies: Negromex, Spicer, Industrias Resistol (IRSA), Petrocel, National DM, Automagneto and Industria de Baleros Internacional.

    From 1975 onwards, became a public company when it was listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange.
 
  • ’80
  • In 1984 DINE became part of DESC, starting the Real Estate Division, which had already developed the first phase of Bosque de las Lomas.

    In 1989, Fernando Senderos Mestre was named Executive President and Chairman of the Board.
 
  • ’90
  • The Consumer Sector is consolidated with Keken, Corfuerte and Authentic Specialty Foods businesses. In the Chemical Sector the company Hules Mexicanos is acquired and, from the Joint Venture with Repsol, Dynasol was created. We also acquired Tremec (manual transmissions).

    During this decade DINE began the development of the first stage of Punta Ixtapa, the development of Punta Mita and Bosques de Santa Fe.

    In 1993, DESC opened Santa Fe’s Shopping Center and a year later the Arcos Bosques Corporativo offices project. At the end of this decade the Four Season Hotel in Punta Mita was inaugurated.
 
  • ’00
  • Resistol is sold and partnerships in some of the auto businesses are terminated. In 2007 DESC splits its real estate division forming DINE and KUO, the latter comprising industrial and consumer businesses.

    In 2008 the Branded Food Business signed a Joint Venture with Grupo Herdez and the year after they signed and additional Joint Venture with MegaMex Foods, the association with Hormel Foods, was created. In 2010, the acquisition of Don Miguel Foods in the United States was completed.

    As of 2010, KUO begins its transformation as a global producer as it grows its business in the United States and Europe.
 
  • ’10
  • In 2011, an automobile brake business was purchased under the FRITEC® brand.

    The acquisition of Fresherized Foods, a leading company in the production of processed avocado and guacamole, was carried out.

    A business of dual clutch transmissions was integrated. In 2013, significant divestments were made of the following businesses: carbon black, agglomerates and eucalyptus plantations.

    In 2015, KUO consolidates Synthetic Rubber business globally, and focuses on the strategic projects on the Transmissions and Pork Meat businesses.

    In 2018, Tremec began the production of Double Clutch Transmissions (DCT).

Plants

Global Map
Consumer
Pork Meat
Branded Foods
Chemical
Syntethic Rubber
Polymers
Automotive
Transmissions
23
Plants
16 Mexico
2 USA
1 Belgium
2 Spain
2 China
* Installed capacity. 2019.

Our Mission

To create value in a sustainable and satisfactory manner for our stakeholders through the effective management of a dynamic business portfolio.

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Our Values

Integrity

Leadership

 

Teamwork

 

Innovation

Institutionalism

Corporate Governance

Fernando Senderos Mestre Board Director Executive President and Chairman of the Board of Grupo KUO and DINE
Javier Arrigunaga Gómez del Campo Independent Member Chairman of the Board of Grupo Aeroméxico and Investment Advisor
José Manuel Canal Hernando Independent Member Independent Director, Commissioner and Advisor on Corporate Governance issues
Arturo D’Acosta Ruiz Board Director Business Consultant
José Manuel del Barrio Molina Independent Member Partner at Integra M&A
Alejandro de la Barreda Gómez Related Member CEO of Grupo KUO and DINE
Valentín Díez Morodo Independent Member Chairman of Grupo Nevadi Internacional
Daniella Gurrea Martínez Independent Member Genworth México CEO
Arturo Elías Ayub Independent Member Director of Strategic Alliances and Contents of América Móvil
Federico Fernández Senderos Related Member Chairman of Grupo Sim and Independent Director of Grupo Chedraui
Carlos Gómez y Gómez Related Member Chairman of the Board of Estudia Más
Víctor Rivero Martín Independent Member CEO of Telehotel
Ernesto Vega Velasco Independent Member Business Independent Director
Ramón F. Estrada Rivero Secretay of the Board Deputy Managing Director of Grupo KUO and DINE
The Board of Directors constitutes the highest management body of Kuo. It is made up of 13 members, 8 of whom are independent and is assisted in the performance of their activities by an Audit Committee and a Corporate Practices Committee.

The members of the Council and Committees are appointed by the Assembly of Shareholders, with one-year terms, which can be unlimitedly ratified and have been proposed and chosen as honorable persons with high experience in the sector, in addition to being free from conflicts of interest.

The Board of Directors meets at least quarterly. In compliance with the corporate bylaws, among its main responsibilities are:


  • Establishing the strategic vision of the Company and to follow up on its compliance
  • Monitoring the performance of relevant managers
  • Evaluating risk management processes, in economic, environmental and social issues
  • Presenting an Annual Report of the Group's performance to the Shareholders' Meeting for review and approval
  • Enabling the mechanisms and channels for communication with stakeholders, who are informed about the overall performance of the Group

Leadership Team

Executive President and Chairman of the Board

Fernando Senderos Mestre has served as Executive Chairman of the Board of KUO and DINE since 1984. He brings extensive experience in the business sector and has led the transformation of both companies for over four decades. He currently serves on the Boards of Directors of Kimberly-Clark de México, Televisa, Industrias Peñoles, Grupo Nacional Provincial, and the Mexican Business Council. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Universidad Anáhuac.

Chief Executive Officer

Alejandro de la Barreda has served as CEO of Grupo KUO since 2016 and of DINE since 2019. He has over 24 years of experience within Grupo DESC, having held leadership roles in Investor Relations, Strategy, Finance, and Business Management. He currently oversees the Group’s industrial and real estate businesses, driving their transformation and sustained growth. He holds a degree in Accounting from UNAM, a Master’s in Finance from Universidad Anáhuac, and executive education from IPADE and Kellogg School of Management.

Deputy Managing Director / General Counsel

Ramón Estrada has served as Deputy CEO and General Counsel of KUO and DINE since 2019. With over 30 years of experience within Grupo DESC, he has built a solid track record in legal affairs and corporate governance. He holds a Law degree from Universidad La Salle, a Master’s in Law from Universidad Panamericana, and completed the D-1 Executive Management Program at the Instituto Panamericano de Alta Dirección de Empresa (IPADE).

Deputy Managing Director & CFO

Jorge Padilla has served as Deputy CEO and CFO of Grupo KUO and DINE since 2024. He brings over 20 years of professional experience, including a solid track record within the Group. He has led Finance and Planning since 2016. He holds a degree in Economics from Universidad Iberoamericana and executive education from IPADE.

Pork Meat Director

Claudio Freixes has led KUO’s Pork Meat Business since 2008. He originally helped launch the Kekén project in 1991, and after an international tenure, rejoined the company in 2001. He holds a degree in Veterinary Medicine from Universidad de Concepción (Chile).

Herdez Del Fuerte Director

Héctor Hernández-Pons has served as CEO of Herdez Del Fuerte since 2009. He joined Grupo Herdez in 1978 and has held several executive positions, including President and CEO. He holds a Law degree from Universidad Anáhuac and an MBA from National University in San Diego.

Polymers Director

Sergio Paredes has served as Director of the Polymers Business since 2019. He has over 30 years of experience within the Group, leading functions in Planning, Production, Operations, and Commercial Management. He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from BUAP and executive education from IPADE.

Synthetic Rubber Director

Felipe Varela serves as Director of the Synthetic Rubber Business since 2015. He joined KUO in 1987 and has held key roles in Process Engineering, Production, and R&D. He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from Instituto Tecnológico de Ciudad Madero, with specializations in Polymerization from McMaster and Akron, and an MBA from IPADE.

Felipe is a graduate of Chemical Engineering Specialized in Processes from the Technological Institute of Ciudad Madero. Additionally, he has a Specialty in Polymerization from McMaster University in Canada and Akron University. He also has an MBA from IPADE for Senior Management of Businesses.

Transmissions Director

Antonio Herrera serves as Director of the Transmissions Business since 2015. He has over 40 years of experience in the automotive industry, having worked at Spicer, Dana, and American Axle. He holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from Universidad de Durango and executive education from IPADE.