Introduction:
Monterrey, the capital city of the state of Nuevo Leon, is known as the national capital of advanced industry in Mexico. With its strategic location just under the tip of Texas, Monterrey has rapidly evolved into a leading manufacturing center, attracting global manufacturers from every major industry, including aerospace, defense, electronics, medical devices, and automotive. One of its major subsectors is domestic electronics, with products like washing machines and other household appliances accounting for 30% of Mexico’s national exports in this sector alone. This article explores the electronic manufacturing industry in Monterrey, focusing on its infrastructure, logistics, and examples of major companies in the area.
Infrastructure & Logistics:
Monterrey’s strategic location offers rapid access to major North American transportation arteries. In 2018, Mexico unveiled the new logistical support facility at the Laredo-Colombia border crossing, which has a capacity for 12,000 daily truck crossings, a bonded warehouse, and advanced technologies for screening cargo shipments.
The Monterrey International Airport, one of the fastest-growing airports in Mexico, offers almost 300 daily flights to national and US destinations. Its 15-acre air cargo terminal serves as a major hub for DHL, FedEx, UPS, and Estafeta.
Monterrey has over 1,433 hectares of industrial space, railroad connectivity, customs, and a bonded warehouse in the Interpuerto Monterrey project, which is considered the largest inland (dry) port in Mexico.
International Companies in Monterrey:
Monterrey’s world-class infrastructure has attracted numerous international companies. For instance, Quanta Computer, a Taiwan-based manufacturer of hardware devices, is investing $130 million to double the size of its plant in Nuevo Leon. The plant, which focuses on electronic manufacturing, is expected to employ 2,000 people by the end of 2022.
Other leading companies headquartered in Nuevo León include Siemens, Daimler, Liebherr, General Electric, Kia, Accenture, Carrier, and Lego, which have been researching and producing in the region for years.
In addition to its industrial prowess, Monterrey also boasts a unique cluster ecosystem, fostering long-term and sustainable economic growth through collaborations between government, industry, and academia. Some of Mexico’s best-ranked private universities, such as the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM) and the Autonomous University of Nuevo León (UANL), contribute to this ecosystem by graduating thousands of technicians, engineers, and advanced-degree holders each year.
The Nuevo León 4.0 initiative further supports the region’s industries by promoting digital transformation actions in universities and innovation centers. This has positioned Monterrey as one of the most attractive sites for Industry 4.0 in America, fostering a growing number of technology startups and the development of key infrastructure for R&D and innovation.
Conclusion:
Monterrey, Mexico, is a thriving hub for the electronic manufacturing industry, attracting major international companies and fostering a collaborative ecosystem between government, industry, and academia. Its strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and commitment to innovation make it an excellent destination for businesses looking to expand into the North American market. As the electronic manufacturing industry in Monterrey continues to grow and evolve, it is poised to become an even more significant player on the global stage.