Start-up international investment bankers
target emerging markets and emerging technologies for plastics industry

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(Washington, DC. August 16, 2002) -- “The cross-trends of globalization and weak economies necessitates restructuring of companies in the plastics industry. We see growth potential through divesting and acquiring wisely,” says George Muñoz, principal in Muñoz Investment Banking Group, LLC. These remarks signaled the launch of a new investment banking firm, with expertise in the plastics industry that puts emphasis on emerging markets and emerging technologies throughout the world.

The Muñoz Group founders are no strangers to international investment banking or to the plastics industry. George Muñoz has extensive “hands on” experience in International business and finance, including dealing with the foreign governments and institutions. Brother Edward Muñoz has over 30 years of direct experience in the plastics and chemical business worldwide. Similarly, Ed Rivera’s career has been in the plastics, chemical and processing industries.

The Muñoz Group sees a variety of opportunities for US companies to conduct business in other parts of the world and, likewise, for companies from other countries to do business in the United States. “We are currently working for an American company to purchase a German plastics processor,” says Ed Muñoz. “We have been engaged by several US firms who want to expand into Mexico while conversely Mexican entrepreneurs check with us concerning emerging technologies in the US.”

“Successful international business requires financial, market, government and political knowledge. Our experience with key international financial institutions, such as OPIC (Overseas Private Investment Corporation) and the US Treasury Department has provided us with practical knowledge about recognizing potential dealing with individual governments involved," George Muñoz says. 

“One of our greatest strengths is our close ties and ability to work with governments around the world,” says George Muñoz. “When a large project in Mexico went bankrupt, we were retained by a group of investors from the US, Mexico and Canada to extract the real estate from legal and political entanglements. Without having to resort to Mexico’s courts, we developed a strategy and led negotiations that resulted in recovering the clients’ investment.” 

The Muñoz Group is also bullish on the US Hispanic market. “The gross domestic product of Hispanic Americans is already larger than the GDP of either Brazil or Mexico,” says Rivera. “With this kind of growth, this emerging market represents ever increasing potential. Our expertise, contacts and backgrounds can help companies find ways to take advantage of this opportunity.”

The Muñoz Group, formed by brothers George and Ed Muñoz, is working with a variety of clients as a full-service investment banker providing strategic advice, capital acquisition, business partnerships, troubleshooting with foreign governments, and corporate restructuring as well as managing and advising private equity investments.

George Muñoz was the CEO of OPIC, an independent agency of the Federal Government with a $10 billion budget, which facilitates US private sector investment outside the country. Prior to that he was the Chief Financial Officer of the US Treasury Department. George is a CPA, a licensed attorney with a JD from Harvard Law School, an MA in Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government and a Master of Law in Taxation from DePaul University.

Edward Muñoz was most recently the CEO of Ticona and a board member of Celanese AG. He has held senior positions in the US and abroad with Celanese and the Hoechst Corporate Group including Head of Celanese Mexicana SA, President of the Worldwide Pigments Strategic Business unit for Hoechst, and President of Worldwide Technical Fibers at Hoechst. He also held executive positions in plastics at Baxter Travenol and Hoechst Celanese Engineering Resins Company. Ed has a BS in Polymer Chemistry from the University of Texas and an MBA from Texas A&M University.

Before joining the group, Ed Rivera co-founded Conferos (formerly BuyPlastics.com), a collaborative web-based plastics product development service. Ed has worked in several positions including manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing and development with Shell Chemicals, Union Carbide, Amoco Chemicals and Nypro. Ed has a Chemical Engineering undergraduate degree and a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard University.

The Muñoz Group has offices in Washington, New York and Chicago.

For more information go to www.munozgroup.net or call George Muñoz 703/516-4100.

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For more information please contact:
The Muñoz Group Investment Banking 2111 Wilson Blvd. Suite 850
Arlington, VA 22201 Phone: 703/516-4110 Fax: 703/243-2874 www.munozgroup.net