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About Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association

The Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association is a private, voluntary, non-profit organization established in 1928 with the purpose of uniting all Puerto Rico’s manufacturers and service industries into a strong and effective body in order to further their mutual interests as they relate to the private and public sectors of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Mission: Strengthen the industrial/entrepreneurial culture to advance the competitiveness of our members

Vision: We are leaders; we stimulate the economic/social well-being through industrial and entrepreneurial competitiveness integrated to global activity.

Objective: Maximize the competitiveness of member companies to maintain profitability and continuity of business.

PRMA Timeline:

1928	PRMA was established before Operation Bootstrap and PRIDCO existed.
1930	PRMA celebrated its first Permanent Puerto Rico Products Exhibition in San Juan.
1931	PRMA officially incorporates with the Executive Council on June 26. The first members to incorporate were: N. Pasarell, Lupercio Colberg, J.A.E. Rodríguez, Angel M. Méndez, M. Rodríguez-Ema, and F. Krug.
1939	To promote economic development, the PRMA suggested creating the Industrial Development Corp. House Bill 598 was submitted by Miguel A. García Méndez, but it was never signed by Gov. Winship. Three years later, the Industrial Development Co. was created.
1952	The Mayagüez region is established. Two months later, the PRMA organizes all industries on the Island into autonomous local chapters.
1970’s	Environmental and Health & Security committees formed.
1973	For the first time, the PRMA adopts a format that allows manufacturers to talk directly with different government representatives through a caucus.
1975	Position known as executive director changes to executive vice president
1976	Economic Assistance Program for Talented Students is created.
1978	Member Visiting Program is established. EcoNews is published for the first time.
1979	First Industrial Fair
1984	PRExpo is established. This open exhibition was held to familiarize the public with the variety, quality, and complexity of Puerto Rican products and manufacturing processes.
1987	The Faces of Progress Program was established to promote discussion and analysis of positive societal role models for students.
1987	The Adopt A School Program was established to foster a good working relationship between industries and schools to create a new school model.
1989	Manuel Luis del Valle was co-president of Give a Hand to Puerto Rico (“Dale la Mano a Puerto Rico”) to help victims of Hurricane Hugo.
1993	Industry Opens Its Doors (“Industria Abre sus Puertas”) is established. Students have the opportunity for a firsthand look at the manufacturing process.
1993	On March 7, the PRMA organized a rally called Section 936 Puerto Ricans Defend Their Jobs (“936 Puertorriqueños Defienden su Empleo”).
1993	Under the slogan “Búscame que estoy pegao” (Look At Me, I’m What’s Hot), the PRMA launched a campaign to promote sales of products made in Puerto Rico.
1994	During its annual meeting, the PRMA brought together four ex-governors, Luis A. Ferré, Roberto Sánchez Vilella, Carlos Romero Barceló, and Rafael Hernández Colón.
1996	On June 1, the PRMA advocated for Section 936 with a huge gathering at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.
1997	Colin Powell visited the Island for the first time through an invitation from the PRMA and PR 2000.
1999	The PRMA presented a 15-point economic proposal to all gubernatorial candidates, many of which were included in political party platforms.
1999	Henry Kissinger speaks to PRMA members
2000-2002	Lucy Crespo becomes first woman president of the PRMA
2001	Steve Forbes speaks to PRMA members
2003	Carly Fiorina speaks to PRMA members
2003	PRMA begins Speaker of the Month Program
2004	PRMA holds the first Manufacturing Summit
2007	Lionel Fernández speaks to PRMA members
2008	William H. Clinton speaks to PRMA members

Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association Presidents:

	Lupercio Colberg		1928-30
	Nathaniel Pasarell		1931
	Santos Zubillaga		1932-38
	Gabriel de la Haba		1939
	J.A.E. Rodríguez		1940-51
	Angel Suárez		1952
	Juan Suárez		1953-54
	Antonio Rodríguez Géigel		1955-56
	Enrique Castillo		1957-59
	Sabino Valdés		1960-61
	Alfonso Valdés		1962
	Robert P. McQueeny		1963-64
	Antonio Luis Ferré		1965-66
	Sergio Camero		1967-68
	Augusto N. Durand		1968
	Hiram D. Cabassa		1969-70
	Arturo Díaz Jr.		1971-72
	Peter E. Martínez		1972
	Rafael Cebollero		1972-74
	Ramón B. Rodríguez		1974-76
	Herminio M. Brau		1977
	Danol A. Morales		1978-79
	Ernesto A. Castillo		1980-81
	Francisco M. Rexach, Jr.		1982-83
	Vicente Dordal		1984-85
	Manuel Borrero		1985-87
	Rubén Vélez Lebrón		1987-89
	Manuel Luis del Valle		1989-91
	Daniel Lebrón Pitre		1991-93
	Bartolomé Gamundi		1993-95
	Mario S. Belaval		1995
	Samuel Landol Carrero		1995-96
	Enrique Cortés		1996-98
	Miguel Nazario		1998-2000
	Lucy Crespo		2000-2002
	Manuel Cidre		2002-2004
	Reynaldo Encarnación Edgardo Fábregas Josen Rossi Pedro Watlintong		2004 - 2006 2006 - 2008 2008 -2010 2010- Present

Executive Directors / Executive Vice Presidents:

	Héctor Martínez Rigau		Beginning-1962
	Miguel Calzada Matta		1962-1963
	Ramón F. Calderón		1963-1964
	Amadeo I.D. Francis		1964-1973
	Héctor Jiménez Juarbe		1973-1998
	William Riefkohl		1998- 2001
	Jorge Berlingeri		2001- 2002
	William Riefkohl		2002- Present

Description of Activities

Assembly & Annual Convention
This activity is the PRMA’s largest and most prominent. At the assembly, a new Board of Directors is chosen and decisions of interest are made. The convention includes symposia and relevant speeches from high-caliber guests. The products and services exhibitions are another attraction, equal to the social activities, all within an atmosphere of camaraderie.

Caucus With the Government
This activity is for all PRMA members. All government agency heads working with industry are invited so participants have an opportunity to discuss different programs and situations that affect the business community. On occasions, a conference room is assigned to each agency head so PRMA members have an opportunity to meet with them and discuss specific problems.

Industrial Gala
At this activity, the PRMA presents to its members and to the local press the awardees from each of the association’s regions. Awards are presented in the following categories: Manufacturer of the Year, Manufacturing Manager of the Year, Service-Sector Executive of the Year, and Service-Sector Manager of the Year. During this night, the PRMA also announces from its regional awardees, the winners of the prizes of Manufacturer, Manufacturing Manager, Service-Sector Executive, and Service-Sector Manager of the Year which are recognized during the Gala Banquet at the Annual Convention.

Speaker of the Month
This program consists of a series of lunch meetings for PRMA members and the public, with presentations by high-caliber speakers in themes of interest about the Island’s economic and social development.