Industry & Mining
From The Report: Mexico 2015
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Since the early years of the maquiladora concept, a cross-border manufacturing government programme, the Mexican manufacturing sector has evolved significantly. Today, the well-established and globalised Mexican industrial sector is a much more specialised and nuanced market, with a stronger regulatory framework. In 2014 the sector saw its GDP increase by 4.22%, according to the National Council of the Maquiladora Industry, with clothing, paper, transport equipment, and machinery and equipment among the best performing sub-sectors. Meanwhile, contributing around 5% to the country’s total GDP in 2013, Mexico’s mining sector is among the top 10 world producers for at least 16 minerals. Though challenges remain, including stagnant local consumption, with a stronger regulatory framework the country is set to strengthen its position as a global player in manufacturing clusters, ranging from the well-established automotive industry to the rapidly developing aerospace manufacturing sector.

This chapter includes interviews with Manuel Herrera Vega, President, Concamin.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Thinking globally: Trade treaties and more sophisticated production techniques encourage participation in international markets
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With 11 international treaties with 46 countries, Mexico boasts commercial agreements with nearly every region in the world, making it one of the most globalised economies. This global connectedness has helped Mexican industry evolve immensely. Prior to the 1990s, the Mexican economy enjoyed relatively low dependence on non-oil exports to the US and the rest of the world. This changed significantly in 1994 with the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement ( NAFTA), which has led to greater…

Analysis

Wealth of possibilities: A rich supply of natural resources supports the burgeoning mining sector
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Contributing around 5% to the country’s total GDP in 2013, Mexico’s mining sector is among the top 10 world producers for at least 16 minerals. The country is the global leader in silver production and is the tenth-largest copper producer, according to the Mexican Mining Chamber (Cámara Minera de México, Camimex). With a wealth of natural resources, the country is dependent on the mining sector as an important source of income. According to the Mining Development Programme (Prodemin) and the…

Interview

A force for innovation: OBG talks to Manuel Herrera Vega, President, Concamin
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Interview:Manuel Herrera Vega How would you characterise the level of sophistication in Mexico’s industrial sector? MANUEL HERRERAVEGA: Mexico has a good level of sophistication in the manufacturing sector. According to studies on the subject by consulting firms and the OECD, 52% of our total exports are of medium to high levels of sophistication. Exports are concentrated on industrial goods in the automotive, aerospace, telecommunication and IT sectors. We are currently taking steps…

Analysis

Made in Mexico: Manufacturing is becoming more focused on high-value production
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Since the early days of NAFTA, the Mexican manufacturing sector has evolved extensively. While the country once positioned itself as a destination for basic cross-border assembly operations for electronics and textiles, it is now developing a highly specialised manufacturing market. In the fourth quarter of 2014, manufacturing represented 17.5% of GDP, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography, indicating 3.4% growth in the first three quarters of 2014. Automotive According…

Analysis

Cracking open new markets: New regulations are helping craft brewers find their stride
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Mexico is the world’s leading beer exporter, producing 86m hectolitres (hl) per year, worth $20bn. The country has topped the list of beer exporters for the past six years, thanks to surging international demand for brands such as Corona Extra, Modelo, Sol and Tecate, with exports growing 9% to reach around $2.4bn in 2014, according to the National Statistics Institute. Tequila exports, meanwhile, were worth $1.17bn in 2014. The market is dominated by two companies, Cuauhtemoc-Moctezuma and Modelo,…

Analysis

Pumping up: North American automotive production shifts to Mexico, while tyre production is drawing attention
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The post-North American Free Trade Agreement ( NAFTA) manufacturing boom has been particularly attractive for the Mexican automotive industry. According to Eduardo Solis Sánchez, president of the Mexican Automotive Industry Association, Mexico will see a fifth consecutive year of increased motor vehicle output. The auto industry now brings in net earnings of some $50bn a year, more than the oil and gas or tourism sectors. Solid Foundation Solis listed five key reasons for the boom. First, Mexico…