Altos Hornos de México sale process faces demands for transparency

Creditor representatives, led by lawyer Héctor Garza Martínez, have urged Mexican authorities to disclose the profile of companies being precalified to purchase the steelmaker Altos Hornos de México (AHMSA). They argue that knowing whether prospective buyers intend to restart production or focus on scrap trading will clarify the plant’s future and reassure workers, creditors and the surrounding community. The precalification stage is expected to begin in mid‑September, and the group highlighted concerns about Infonavit, a common creditor, whose recovery could be jeopardised if the sale proceeds are insufficient.

The labor defence group of former AHMSA employees, headed by Julián Torres Ávalos, welcomed a judge’s order to publish the sale’s call for offers but criticised the syndic’s handling of the bankruptcy. They objected to proposals to pay a US$200,000 labour‑lawyer fee and a US$2 million external law‑firm retainer, calling the moves opaque. The group is considering filing a formal complaint with federal labour authorities or the attorney‑general’s office and will review the list of labour‑credit claims before the August 28 deadline.