Major multinational, Electrolux, said last week that it is consolidating its entire North American laundry manufacturing into its high-tech facility in Juarez, Mexico. The move represents a massive Mexico investment for the Swedish appliance manufacturer.

Electrolux said production will be discontinued at its Iowa factories in 2010/11 and all operations moved to Mexico.

The new Mexico plant near El Paso is huge: some 1.5 million square feet (135,000 sqm) and 3,000 workers.

It is the biggest industrial building ever in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, according to officials from the Juarez Chamber of Commerce.

Electrolux said it would be business as usual in Iowa until 2011, keeping production and employment levels stable.

When it's time to start cutting jobs, the company said it would work with the city, state and employment agencies to help employees find new work.