Mirgor

Mirgor

Company type	Public
Industry	Electronics, automotive components, agriculture
Founded	1983
Founder	Nicolás Caputo, Roberto Gustavo Vázquez, Mauricio Macri
Headquarters	Buenos Aires , Argentina
Area served	Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, United States, Dominican Republic, Panama
Key people	José Luis Alonso (CEO)
Products	Electronics, automotive components, mobile phones, televisions, agricultural goods
Number of employees	3000+

Mirgor is an Argentine corporation engaged in the manufacturing of electronics, automotive and mobile components, alongside the export, distribution, and commercialization of agricultural goods. Its corporate headquarters are situated in Buenos Aires, while its manufacturing facilities operate in Río Grande, Garín, and Baradero. Additionally, it manages an agricultural and livestock estate located in Bolívar.

The company's core activities include producing electronics and automotive parts; designing engineering and systems projects; managing commercial channels; conducting retail operations; and since 2018, expanding into the agricultural sector. In 2023, Mirgor reported an annual turnover nearing $2.5 billion.

Mirgor collaborates with internationally recognized brands such as Samsung, Toyota, Ford, Fiat, GM, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen. It ranks within Argentina's top 100 exporters and employs over 3,000 individuals, with an average employee age of 28 years and a workforce composition of 53% women.

At the beginning of 2024, Mirgor’s stock price experienced a rise exceeding 50%, indicating robust investor confidence.

History

Established in 1983 by Nicolás Caputo, Roberto Gustavo Vázquez, and Mauricio Macri, Mirgor's origins trace back to Vázquez’s automotive background at Ford Motor Argentina. The company initially manufactured car air-conditioning units in Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego, launching its first product—the air conditioner for the Peugeot 504—produced for Sevel Argentina. During that period, air conditioning was installed in merely 5% of vehicles in Argentina. Macri divested his shares in 1994 and departed from the board two years later.

Mirgor went public in 1994 on both the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. After enduring the economic crisis known as the 1998–2002 Argentine great depression, the company reorganized and diversified into home air conditioners and mobile phone production. By 2004, it had begun manufacturing residential air-conditioning systems.

In 2009, Mirgor acquired Industria Austral de Tecnología S.A. (IATEC), which was responsible for producing Nokia mobile phones (2010) and LG televisions (2011). The firm broadened its product range to include audio/video devices and microwaves by 2012, followed by Dell notebook assembly starting in 2013. By 2014, IATEC began assembling Samsung mobile phones and televisions alongside automotive electronics for Pioneer. In 2017, Mirgor established the subsidiary GMRA to market consumer electronics and obtained IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 certifications; it currently holds IPC-A-610 Class 3 certification.

José Luis Alonso assumed the CEO role in 2016. In 2019, Mirgor expanded through acquiring Famar Fueguina S.A., a holding entity for Holdcar and Electrotécnica, which specialize in manufacturing automotive electronics components. The group entered the agro-industrial sector in 2018, commencing exports of wheat, soybeans, and corn by 2019. In March 2023, Mirgor secured approximately a 1,500-hectare estate in San Carlos de Bolívar dedicated to agricultural and livestock operations.

In October 2020, Mirgor purchased Brightstar Corporation’s Argentine subsidiary. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it developed the OxiTemp App to track blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and temperature.

By October 2021, Mirgor signed an agreement with FAdeA to manufacture aircraft parts such as those for the Pampa III model in Tierra del Fuego. In November 2022, it acquired Outokumpu Fortinox S.A., a company involved in steel importing and distribution.

Toward the end of 2022, Mirgor proposed constructing a $210 million port facility in Río Grande to enhance logistical capabilities. That December, it partnered with Aerolíneas Argentinas to manage cargo transportation using two B737-800 freighters with a capacity of 22 tons each.

The acquisition of Sauceco in March 2023 marked Mirgor’s full-scale entry into agro-industry. In May that year, it launched Mirgor USA LLC operations based in Miami under contract with Millicom, focusing on cellular phone planning and supply within the United States.

Mirgor is advancing a $380 million port development project in Río Grande aimed at improving regional logistics; construction is planned to commence post-winter fishing restrictions in 2024. In November 2023, it issued a $300 million negotiable debt instrument to attract investment from public markets.

Regionally, Mirgor maintains offices in Asunción, Paraguay—exploring new business opportunities—and entered Uruguay’s market in 2023 through acquiring Anovo, a prominent aftermarket service provider supporting mobile phone companies. Partnering with Samsung, Mirgor expanded SmartThing retail outlets into both the Dominican Republic and Paraguay. As Hisense’s strategic collaborator in Uruguay, it introduced new Smart TV models featuring QLED and Mini-LED technologies. Operations began in Panama under Mirgor’s international division by November 2023. This division reported revenue of $240 million for the year 2024.

Mirgor Agro received recognition for Export Diversification from Prensa Económica during 2023. In April 2024, it launched the End of Line Tester system to ensure quality control of technological products.

At the "Forbes Reinventing Argentina Summit" held in September 2024, CEO José Luis Alonso highlighted that Argentina’s economic progress depends on exporting "technology, proteins, and talent."

In December 2024, Mirgor announced a collaboration with Spanish hotel chain Meliá Hotels International to develop a $50 million five-star hotel located in Ushuaia scheduled to open by 2028.

Products and services

Mirgor is organized into eight distinct business divisions:

• Manufacturing: production of electronics and automotive components.
• Retail: oversight of commercial outlets and retail operations.
• Innovation: design and implementation of engineering and systems projects.
• Agriculture: development within the agribusiness sector.
• Supply Chain: handling of goods including receipt, storage, preparation, and distribution.
• Distribution: delivery of advanced technology and comfort-related merchandise.
• Services: provision of technical support and comprehensive solutions.
• Global operations.

Within the automotive sector, Mirgor manufactures air conditioning units, infotainment devices, and control modules for various car makers. The company is advancing ONTEC, a facility located in Baradero focused on producing complex plastic and electronic automotive parts.

In the realm of consumer electronics, Mirgor produces mobile phones, televisions, and monitors. It operates Samsung retail outlets throughout Argentina alongside its proprietary store brand, Diggit.

Mirgor Distribution oversees the logistics of its own products and extends commercialization services both domestically and internationally to manufacturers, retailers, resellers, and telecommunications providers.

The Services division delivers equipment refurbishment, protection plans, after-sales support under the Ferbi brand, as well as buyback and exchange initiatives.

Mirgor Innovation specializes in software development alongside mechanical engineering ventures.

By the close of 2023, Mirgor Agro had exported more than one million tons of commodities and specialty products.

Awards

In 2021, Mirgor was honored with Toyota's "Best Performance Supplier Award," followed by the Regional Contribution Award in 2022.

Foundation

Established in 2022, the "Mirgor Foundation: Community development towards the future" concentrates on Education, Health, Culture, and Habitat to aid communities within its operational regions.

Education

The Foundation launched a technological innovation contest for entrepreneurs in June 2023 and initiated professional training programs for operators in Tierra del Fuego. By September of that year, it introduced an artificial intelligence course tailored for educational purposes.

In 2024, it hosted "Codechallenge Tierra del Fuego," which engaged 95 participants with 21 reaching the final round. Additionally, a scholarship initiative was started targeting final-year technical high school students. The Foundation also provided instruction on the 5S methodology along with sustainable entrepreneurship through the CIRCULA.RG program.

July saw the opening of the “School of Innovation, Creativity, and Technology,” designed for primary education teachers. Environmental awareness efforts were promoted through upcycling activities. Collaboration with Tierra del Fuego's government facilitated a workshop aimed at enhancing employment inclusion for individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, TecnoGrande was organized as a showcase event featuring innovative projects from technical schools in Río Grande.

Throughout 2024, more than 2,000 individuals received training from the Foundation’s programs, benefiting upwards of 3,200 people overall.

Educational initiatives undertaken by the Foundation in partnership with Samsung earned recognition from both Buenos Aires and Tierra del Fuego legislatures.

Health

In February 2024, the Mirgor Foundation contributed 300 oximeters to the Municipality of Río Grande to enhance the capabilities of local health centers. Additionally, an artificial respirator was provided to the Regional Hospital Governor Ernesto Campos located in Ushuaia.

Culture

During November 2023, the Mirgor Foundation entered into a strategic partnership with the Joint Antarctic Command (COCOANTAR) aimed at supporting the Argentine community stationed in Antarctica. This collaboration included the donation of electronic equipment. Furthermore, in March 2024, Qüint electric bicycles were gifted for deployment at Esperanza Base.

Habitat

The Foundation initiated the "Transportable Modular House" initiative in 2022, presenting an eco-friendly housing alternative designed to meet the residential demands within the province.