Pablo Rodriguez was the first of 35 employees hired by Intel in Puerto Rico 20 years ago. When he retires next month as president of Intel Puerto Rico Inc., Rodriguez will leave behind 1,750 co-workers. The story of Rodriguez' success could be told through the company's phenomenal growth over the last two decades under his leadership. But the far more interesting story is how he helped save Intel's Las Piedras plant from all but certain closure. Intel's experience is an important lesson about what the manufacturing industry in Puerto Rico must do to save jobs and compete globally.
Economic success is measured by jobs created.
That's true just about anywhere in the world. However, in some places, especially those dependent on manufacturing jobs like Puerto Rico, success is often measured in jobs saved, not just in jobs created. Five years ago the company employed 3,000 workers at its Las Piedras plant. Global competition and eroding federal tax breaks helped reduce the number to 1,700 today. Another 200 jobs will be pared away by the end of the year, Rodriguez says.