ABOUT US
Founded in 1999, WAMEX is a pioneer in Mexican private equity, and a leader in the middle market. With an intimate understanding of Mexican industry and the local business environment, WAMEX is uniquely positioned to capture the benefits of Mexico’s macroeconomic environment, ongoing domestic reforms, and favorable demographics.
As such, WAMEX has consistently executed best-in-class investments into increasingly sophisticated family or entrepreneur-owned businesses in fast-growing sectors. To fully capture the upside of Mexico’s position in the global economy, WAMEX further supports the international growth of its portfolio companies, whether in the USMCA market, in South America or in Europe.
PARTNERS
Ernesto Warnholtz
Ernesto Warnholtz is Chairman and Founder of WAMEX Private Equity. He is responsible for investor relations and trade organizations.
In his more than 45 years of experience in the insurance and automotive industry, he has worked as executive for several leading global corporations. He worked for the Munich Reinsurance Co. in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean for 33 years, and at Daimler-Benz Mexico for 15 years, from which he retired as CEO of the Mexican operations.
Mr. Warnholtz has also been shareholder and director in a number of Mexican subsidiaries of foreign auto parts companies, such as Bosch, Siemens, Edscha, Mann+Hummel and Kostal. He was a member of the Mexican Advisory Board of Dresdner Bank Lateinamerika and currently sits on the following Boards: Banorte, Kostal de México, and Club de Industriales as well as philanthropic Boards such as Casa Alianza and Fundación ABC.
Mr. Warnholtz has also being active in trade organizations, serving as past President of the German Mexican Chamber of Industry and Commerce, of the German section of the Mexican Corporate Council for International Matters and of the Mexican National Association of Importers and Exporters. He participated actively in the negotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement and was member of the Board of Bancomext (Mexican Government trade finance bank).
Mr. Warnholtz was honorably distinguished in two occasions by the Federal Republic of Germany with the “Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit” decoration.
He studied Insurance in Munich and London and is fluent in Spanish, English and German.
José Antonio Contreras
José Antonio Contreras joined WAMEX Private Equity in 2000. He is a Senior Managing Partner and is responsible for investment origination, financial analysis, due diligence and investment monitoring. Mr. Contreras currently sits on the board of directors of the following portfolio companies: Hoteles City Express and Productos Medix.
Over his 35 years of experience, he has worked in private equity, investment banking and management consulting. Before joining the WAMEX team, he was a Managing Director of Investment Banking for OBSA Serfín financial group, where he was in charge of M&A, and of implementing cross-border joint ventures and privatizations. Previously, he was Principal of Booz, Allen & Hamilton where he performed consulting assignments in Mexico, the United States, Canada and South America, with emphasis on strategic and financial advice.
Mr. Contreras has an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Universidad Anahuac. He is fluent in Spanish and English.
Christian Warnholtz
Christian Warnholtz is Co-Founder and Senior Managing Partner of WAMEX Private Equity. He is responsible for investment origination, financial analysis and portfolio management. Mr. Warnholtz currently sits on the board of directors of portfolio company Awen Developers.
With 30 years of experience, he has focused in financial services and business development. He previously worked at BBVA Securities (London) in the Capital Markets Group, structuring and selling public and private equity and debt issues. Prior to working in London, he was employed by JPMorgan in New York and Probursa in Mexico, managing a US$100 million portfolio as an international financial advisor. As an entrepreneur he founded, managed and sold ECT, a successful 5 state licensed wire remittances network in the U.S.
Mr. Warnholtz has graduate studies from both, the Webster University Geneva, and from IPADE, he holds a B.S. in Economics from ITAM. He is fluent in Spanish, English and German.
Sergio del Valle
Sergio del Valle joined WAMEX Private Equity in 2001. He is a Managing Partner, responsible for operations, investor relations, and portfolio management.
He has 25 years of experience in M&A and corporate finance. He previously worked for Bankers Trust Mexico and Deutsche Bank, structuring debt in local currency and equity capital markets, private equity and M&A. Before that, he was a member of the internal M&A team of Grupo Televisa, where he worked on several divestitures and analyzed new businesses. He also worked at OBSA Serfin where he participated in the structuring of debt and equity public offerings, and executed sell-side mandates in the steel and financial industries.
Mr. del Valle has top management studies from IPADE and holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Universidad Panamericana. He is fluent in Spanish and English.
Andrés Bonomie
Andrés Bonomie joined Wamex Advisory in 2023. He is the Operating Partner responsible for operations, investor relations, and portfolio management.
He is a Senior Executive with more than three decades of experience in Business Management in the Construction Industry, Electricity, Oil and Energy Sector, in 10 different countries in Latin America (opening operations in 04 of them). Outstanding business career in the Development of International Businesses in the Areas of Construction, Commercial Management, Marketing and Sales. Extensive experience in International Construction Project Management, Finance, International Procurement and Logistics, International Trade, and International Business Development Management, as well as in the Administration of International Construction Contracts.
Mr. Bonomie is an Electrical Engineer, he has a Specialization in Industrial Power Systems, Generation and Control from the Instituto Tecnológico De Monterrey – Monterrey with a Post Graduate in – “Global Leadership Management” by Thunderbird School Of Global Management. He is fluent in Spanish and English with spoken Portuguese and Italian.
Based on our broad experience in México and LATAM, we offer unique solutions professionally crafted. With over 150 years of combined experience, WAMEX provides customized services to meet each client's needs and maximize the value of their operations.
Financial & Strategic Advisory
Debt & Equity Financing
Turn Key
Solutions
Power Infrastructure
International Expansion
Oil & Gas Infrastructure
M&A
Customized Solutions
Construction Projects
Entry
Strategies
Energy
Advisory
WAMEX Advisory Team
40 years experience
35 years experience
30 years experience
25 years experience
NEWS & PRESS
Awen Developers
Awen Developers is a company specialized in the development of state-of-the-art Wellness Lifestyle Real Estate projects primarily located in Mexico’s most renowned and sought-after coasts. Through the integration of the best teams and consultants, cutting-edge technology, and innovative concepts and developments.
Awen seeks to offer the highest quality lifestyle available to the largest number of people through the creation of Holistic Wellness Communities.