Service Brief 5: Mexico as a Strategic Manufacturing Location
Advantages, limitations and what really matters when manufacturing electronics in Mexico for the North American market
Mexico has developed into an important location for electronics manufacturing in recent years. Established clusters in Baja California, Jalisco, Chihuahua and Monterrey, the USMCA and the country's geographic proximity to the US market make Mexico attractive to many OEMs. At the same time, Mexico is not a one-size-fits-all solution. This service brief examines the concrete potentials, risks, and necessary steps when selecting a manufacturing location.
Publisher: EMS Strategy Group | Date: November 5, 2026 | Format: PDF Service Brief
Key Focus Areas of the Service Brief
- 1. Mexico's Advantages: USMCA market access, shorter supply routes, the IMMEX program, and experienced electronics clusters.
- 2. Limitations and Risks: Rising labor costs, product-specific rules of origin, USMCA review, infrastructure constraints, and regional security differences.
- 3. Our Approach: Sound location and cost comparison, USMCA customs assessment, and structured local partner qualification.
How EMS Strategy Group Supports You
- Product-specific location and cost comparisons with Asian and international options based on total cost of ownership (TCO) and risk
- USMCA and customs assessments to ensure compliance with relevant rules of origin and preferential treatment
- Location selection within Mexico (clusters such as Tijuana, Guadalajara, Chihuahua, or Monterrey)
- Identification, auditing, and qualification of suitable local EMS partners
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