In a major strategic move to solidify its position in the regional construction materials industry, Cemento Panam — the cement subsidiary of diversified Latin American conglomerate Grupo Estrella — has announced the acquisition of El Salvador-based Cementos Fortaleza. The deal marks a key milestone in the group’s years-long regional growth push.
Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, Cemento Panam takes ownership of Cementos Fortaleza’s fully operational production facility located in Acajutla. The plant boasts an annual installed production capacity of 350,000 tons of cement, giving the acquiring firm an immediate, tangible production foothold in the Salvadoran market. Financing for the transaction was arranged through a collaboration of three major regional financial institutions: the Latin American Foreign Trade Bank (Bladex), BAC, and Global Bank.
Prior to this acquisition, Grupo Estrella’s cement operations were limited to two key markets: the Dominican Republic, and Panama, where the group sells cement under its Cemento Bayano brand. The purchase of Cementos Fortaleza expands the conglomerate’s cement division into a third national market, opening new pathways for growth across Central America.
Giuseppe Maniscalco, president of Grupo Estrella’s Industrial Division, framed the acquisition as a critical step forward for the company’s long-term regional expansion blueprint. In comments on the deal, Maniscalco noted that the transaction will reinforce the group’s entire regional cement production platform, while unlocking untapped business opportunities across both Central America and the broader Caribbean basin.
Beyond cement production, Cemento Panam maintains a diverse product portfolio that includes ready-mix concrete and construction aggregates, allowing it to serve a full spectrum of construction sector clients. Parent company Grupo Estrella, which brings 43 years of industry experience to its operations across 16 countries, has built out a far-reaching business empire centered not only on cement and construction inputs, but also on large-scale infrastructure development, general construction, real estate development, prefabricated concrete products, and steel manufacturing.
The conglomerate’s growth strategy extends far beyond the construction sector, with diversified holdings in energy, healthcare, airport operations, retail hardware, and media. As it continues to pursue strategic acquisitions such as the Cementos Fortaleza deal, Grupo Estrella is steadily expanding its market reach and influence across the Latin American and Caribbean region.