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You’ve decided that Mexico is where you want to manufacture your products. There are many benefits to doing so. However, choosing the right manufacturer requires you to consider factors such as the commodities you plan to market, labor rates, and shipping times.
Key Takeaways
If you’re looking for a Mexico-based manufacturer, join us as we review the steps you’ll need to take during the process.
Table of Contents
Mexico produces a wide range of different products. It ranks seventh in the world for automobile manufacturing, and is also the 12th largest supplier of aerospace components.
In 2023, the following products accounted for most of the exports from Mexico into the U.S. by USD value.
Commodity | Value of Exports to the USA (in Millions of USD) |
Vehicles (except railway) | $129,325 |
Electrical Machinery | $85,023 |
Nuclear Reactors, Boilers, Machinery | $81,176 |
Medical and Surgical Devices, Prostheses, Hearing Aids | $20,777 |
Furniture, Mattresses, Seats | $11,257 |
Textiles, including clothing, also account for a significant portion of Mexican exports.
There are a few options U.S. businesses can use to find manufacturing partners in Mexico.
Businesses can use these directories to find the right manufacturer for their desired goods. Directory websites usually allow you to search according to parameters such as country, manufacturing capabilities, and specific keywords and search terms.
MFG.com is an example of an online directory that simplifies searching for manufacturers. While it isn’t specific to Mexico, you can set the parameters to search within that country specifically.
Portals like Google Business can help you find companies that operate in Mexico. You can explore company websites to determine whether one or more have the manufacturing capabilities that you require.
If they do, you can proceed to contact the company via email, online contact form, or phone. We would advise you work with a bilingual team when reaching out.
If you’re unable to meet a manufacturing agent face to face, working with a consultant who can is a great option. Mexican business owners often prefer a more personal approach when building professional relationships than those in the U.S.
Consultants can give you a leg up in ensuring your choice of manufacturer gives you a fair price, transparency in the manufacturing process, and the quality you need to build your customer base.
When choosing a manufacturing facility in Mexico, it’s important to take location into account. This isn’t just a matter of proximity to the U.S. border, but also because certain areas specialize in certain types of manufacturing.
The list below includes major manufacturing sectors within Mexican border states, along with some specific manufacturers who operate within them.
While frequently thought of as a tourist destination, Baja boasts many manufacturing facilities. I’ve listed some of them below on a city-by-city basis.
With its rich mineral deposits, livestock ranches, and busy tourism industry, Sonora is one of the wealthier states in Mexico. It shares a border with Arizona, and some examples of areas with high manufacturing capabilities within Sonora include the following.
Textiles are one of this state’s primary exports, and its direct connection to Mexico City and the U.S. border makes it particularly attractive for stateside businesses. Some of the chief manufacturing locations in this north-central Mexican state are:
This state is home to many manufacturers of vehicles and auto parts. It’s also a logistics hub with a focus on the production of textiles and chemicals.
Going city-by-city, here are just some of the manufacturers found in Guanajuato.
Bordering Texas and New Mexico, Chihuahua employs more engineers per capita than any other state in the country.
Let’s take a look at some of its chief manufacturing sectors and commodities.
Bordering Chihuahua to the east, Coahuila combines a strong manufacturing sector with Mexico’s largest deposits of coal.
The state’s manufacturing sectors include:
Sharing a border with southern Texas, Tamaulipas has a thriving industrial sector in many of its cities and municipalities, including:
These are just some of the thousands of manufacturers located within Mexico.
Let’s say you’ve found a manufacturer that looks like a good fit for your needs. Before you jump in feet first, it’s a good idea to understand some cultural and political distinctions between our two countries.
When sourcing suppliers in Mexico, there are some key differences in business practices with which you should familiarize yourself.
If you meet with a Mexican manufacturer and ask them if they can provide the services you require, they will almost always answer yes, even if your request is actually be beyond their capabilities. This isn’t intended to be a deceptive tactic, but is rather a reflection of the population’s work ethic.
The “never say no” approach to business is a key reason why it is worth exploring a supplier in person and checking their facilities yourself. Failure to take this step may cause you to end up with products manufactured through an outsourcing company. This reduces transparency in the manufacturing process and will likely lead to a poor perception of the quality of your goods.
When you are sourcing a supplier, make sure that you pick up the phone and call the company. This is a cultural difference compared with stateside businesses.
In the U.S., transactions are usually handled by e-mail or another remote transactional process. Conversely, Mexican manufacturers prefer face-to-face meetings and phone calls.
If you do meet with a manufacturer across the border, you’ll find the following guidelines for interactions with potential business partners in Mexico useful.
These meetings will probably occur later in the day than the traditional noon lunchtime meeting in the U.S., and can take well over two hours, so stay flexible.
Mexico’s manufacturing regulations are set at the federal level. Unlike in the United States, Mexico’s national government has far more control over state legislation
For manufacturing, various regulations exist for, health, safety, and labor. Something that has recently become more significant for manufacturers are environmental regulations, such as:
Ensuring that your choice of manufacturer doesn’t have a history of regulatory violations is one of many reasons to work with a consultant during this complicated process.
Choosing the right manufacturer in Mexico is a complicated process affected by numerous factors, including linguistic and cultural barriers. This is where an experienced global logistics powerhouse like R&L can help.
Our Mexico cross border shipping service is built on over 30 years of experience and knowledge. Through our multilingual specialists, we can assist you with finding manufacturers for your commodities, no matter what you plan to produce.
We also offer a full range of logistics services, including:
Are you ready to partner with Mexican manufacturers to meet your business goals? If so, give us a call at (866) 335-0495 or contact us online today!
I am inquiring dog collars With bow ties and dog leash products. Would your company provide theses products? If not, would you happen to know any manufacturers in Mexico that make products like this instead of going to China
I am looking for a supplier of wooden bowls and small wooden home decor in Mexico
I buy a lot in laredo Texas but looking to do tractor trailers directly from the manufacturer
looking to manufacture precision designed pressure sprayers.
I am looking for a direct manufacturer of home decor specifically natural woven round wall decor in Mexico.
I am looking to manufacture a smell-proof cannabis case. Very premium look, feel, and material. suggestions on a manufacturer?
Hi I’m looking for a manufacturer that’s able to produce a triple spin photo frame
Looking for a factory in Mexico that can produce upholstered/wood bedroom furniture
Looking for clothing and apparel manufacturers that can use hemp supplied by us
Don or Chris 322 240 9939
I am looking for a client in USA that wants to manufacture their product that requires machining, welding or assembly processes in Mexicali, Baja California Mexico, near to the border.
We have a workshop with a lathe, CNC milling machine, grinding machine, MIG welding machine and others.
I am looking for a manufacturing plant that can manufacture carpenter’s pneumatic framing tools.
Hey there, I am looking for a manufacture that can manufacture letter boards. Plastic / wood products in the Baha California region. Thank you.
Looking for a textile company to use a pre-existing design of a baby quilt
Hi,
We need supplier/manufacturer of plastic water containers, bottles 1,3,5 gallons urgently.
I am looking for a supplier of wood and metal wall shelves and other home decor in made in Mexico.
We do a big busness out of asia but am looking to buy tractor trailers full directly from the manufacturer in Mexico.
I am looking for a factory who can produce wood and metal wall shelves and other home decor in made in Mexico. We do a big business out of Asia, but am looking for new sources from factories in Mexico. Experienced agents also welcome.
Looking for a factory in mexico that produces wood and metal wall shelves and other home decor in made in Mexico. We currently do business out of Asia, but am looking for new sources from factories in Mexico. Experienced agents welcome.
Looking for home farmhouse home decor like dough bowls, candlesticks, furniture, architectural pieces and metal farmhouse items.
Looking for manufacturing in Mexico for large, bolted steel Silo’s to ship to Texas and the US.
Hello
We are looking for a supplier in Mexico that can help us with a new teabag packaging made of cardboard. We also need the teabags to be packaged and shipped to New Jersey, US.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Minimum quantity is 30.000 pieces.
Hi, I am looking for a factory in Mexico that produces storage boxes with pp plastic and fabric together. Experienced agent welcome
Looking for the manufacturer in Mexico that produces drinking glasses
I am curious on supplies I could sell and distribute in the USA. I have my own warehouse/ distribution center and transportation company and would like to get involved with importing products from Mexico.