Blog
Sourcing in Mexico, explained
Guides for U.S. engineers and buyers: finding and vetting manufacturers, getting quotes, costs, and moving production from China.
Start here
How to find manufacturers in Mexico
Where to look, which Spanish search terms factories actually use, how to read a plant's capabilities, and how to get from a long list to three solid quotes.
Finding suppliers · · 11 min read · Interactive guide with live search
Quotes and RFQs · · 7 min read
How to compare manufacturing quotes from Mexican factories
The quotes are in, and none of them match. How to check each one is complete, put them on the same lines, compare total cost instead of unit price, and spot a low price that isn't.
Quotes and RFQs · · 8 min read
How to send an RFQ to a Mexican manufacturer (free template)
A free English and Spanish request-for-quotation template, plus what to put in each section so suppliers can quote quickly and accurately.
Finding suppliers · · 9 min read
How to verify a Mexican manufacturer before placing an order
Check that the company is real, that it can make your part, that its certifications are valid, and that its quality system will hold up, before money changes hands.
Costs and trade · · 9 min read
Manufacturing in Mexico: costs, MOQs, tooling, and hidden fees
What drives the unit price, how tooling and minimum orders work, and the costs that never show up on the factory's quote but always show up on your books.
Costs and trade · · 10 min read
Mexico vs. China manufacturing: costs, tariffs, lead times, and quality
A practical comparison for U.S. buyers: factory prices, freight, duties for your specific product, inventory, supplier depth, and quality. Plus a checklist to decide which fits.
Moving production · · 10 min read
How to move manufacturing from China to Mexico
Which products to move first, how to handle tooling and sub-suppliers, how to qualify new suppliers without disrupting supply, and how long a transition really takes.
Regions and industries · · 9 min read
Best manufacturing regions in Mexico: what gets made where
Mexico's manufacturing is regional. A tour of the main industrial areas, what each one is known for, and live lists of manufacturers in each.
Regions and industries · · 8 min read
What can be manufactured in Mexico? Industries, products, and capabilities
An overview of what Mexican manufacturers make, from machined parts and molded plastics to electronics, apparel, and spirits, and where the supply base is thinner.
Costs and trade · · 10 min read
How to import manufactured goods from Mexico to the United States
Who does what at the border, which delivery terms to choose, how USMCA treatment works, which documents you need, and what it costs. A practical overview for first-time importers.
Manufacturing intelligence · · 12 min read
Mexico manufacturing directory: 2026 industry and regional breakdown
656,617 manufacturing establishments, 39,790 with 11 or more employees, and where they are. An original analysis of Mexico's manufacturing base by industry, state, and size, with downloadable data.
Manufacturing intelligence · · 6 min read
Mexican manufacturing by state: an interactive map
Every Mexican state's manufacturing base on one map: establishment counts by size, leading industries, specialties, and top cities, with links to the manufacturers themselves.
Manufacturing intelligence · · 8 min read
Where are Mexico's automotive suppliers concentrated?
3,420 automotive establishments, a third of them with more than 250 employees. Which states and cities they cluster in, what they make, and what that means for buyers.
Manufacturing intelligence · · 7 min read
Mexico's electronics manufacturing clusters
Ciudad Juárez, Tijuana, Monterrey, Reynosa, and Nogales: how Mexico's electronics and electrical manufacturing clusters along the U.S. border, and what each makes.
Manufacturing intelligence · · 8 min read
U.S.–Mexico manufacturing: supplier coverage by industry
Mexico has about 30 mid-size and larger factories for every 100 in the U.S. Industry by industry, where its supplier base is relatively deep, where it's thin, and what that means for nearshoring.
Skip the reading
Describe your part and see which Mexican manufacturers can make it.