Medical devices manufacturing in Mexico continues to be competitive, with more than USD $9 billion being exported in medical equipment, products, and supplies. Part of the reason for such sustainable growth is the location.
Manufacturing companies across the globe vie to be close to the medical device markets in the U.S. Production in Mexico makes it easier to ship and exchange products while also saving on labor and transportation costs.
Nearshoring manufacturing to reduce dependency on Asia
While manufacturing in Mexico, you can also develop a local market for your products
Adoption of U.S. platforms for hospital IT and monitoring
New hospitals via public-private partnerships
Preference for U.S. products due to quality and compliance advantage
Strong demand for advanced equipment creates opportunities for U.S. suppliers
In 2024, Mexico exported USD $19.3B in medical instruments with the U.S. as the top destination, accounting for $12B. The medical devices industry in Mexico is made up of five different clusters, which together comprise approximately 130 companies. The Baja California cluster is the most important given that its companies represent more than 50% of the sector’s total national exports. Other geographic hotspots include Chihuahua, Guadalajara, Nuevo Leon, and Mexico City.
Conveniently located along the U.S./Mexico border, Tijuana and Mexicali make up the primary clusters for medical devices manufacturing in Mexico, with nearly half of the labor pool concentrated in this area.
The central proximity to the U.S. serves as another region of increased medical device manufacturing activity, with accessibility to qualified labor and state-of-the-art facilities in established hubs.
Emerging as the innovative center of Mexico, this area is known for its niche in high-tech and electronic medical device production and the advances in R&D in the industry.
A rising medical device manufacturing region in Mexico, with increased production in surgical instruments and advanced imaging systems.
Expansive production of a range of medical device manufacturing companies that operate with various functions, including R&D, under the same roof as distribution.
MasimoBeckton DickinsonJohnson & JohnsonMedtronicJabilMedlineIntegerScantibodies LaboratoryWelch AllynBREGSunrise MedicalOssurMedical devices manufacturing in Mexico has boomed over the last decade. Leveraging the advantage of the long established manufacturing infrastructure, today Mexico is home to medical device leaders from around the world. The reasons for this are wide-ranging and include:
The Mexican labor pool offers a number of significant benefits from availability to highly educated, motivated personnel, to reduced salary costs. With abundant universities and vocational schools throughout the country, talented professionals are available in unprecedented numbers with over 110,000 new graduates per year in engineering alone constituting 21% of total graduates.
Manufacturing costs in Mexico are generally 25% to 30% lower than in the United States when considering overall operational expenses. For medical device manufacturing projects, particularly in terms of labor, Mexico can offer average savings of approximately 40% compared to the U.S. Below is a general overview of average monthly wages for typical roles in the medical device industry in Mexico. All figures are presented in USD.
| Position | Hourly Salary USD | Weekly Salary USD | Monthly Salary USD | Annual Salary USD |
| Non-Skilled Operator | $6.44 | $309.33 | $1,340.45 | $16,085.40 |
| Semi-Skilled Operator | $6.98 | $334.96 | $1,451.51 | $17,418.12 |
| Skilled Operator | $7.70 | $369.66 | $1,601.85 | $19,222.15 |
| Forklift Driver | $7.98 | $382.88 | $1,659.15 | $19,909.74 |
| Shipping Receiving Clerk | $8.77 | $421.08 | $1,824.69 | $21,896.27 |
| Line Leader | $9.39 | $450.67 | $1,952.90 | $23,434.85 |
| QA Inspector | $7.88 | $378.12 | $1,638.52 | $19,662.25 |
| Maintenance Tech | $12.21 | $586.30 | $2,540.63 | $30,487.59 |
| Receptionist | $10.77 | $516.81 | $2,239.52 | $26,874.29 |
| Production Supervisor | $21.33 | $1,023.86 | $4,436.73 | $53,240.73 |
| Manufacturing Engineer | $32.65 | $1,567.00 | $6,790.33 | $81,483.98 |
| Quality Supervisor | $22.72 | $1,090.32 | $4,724.73 | $56,696.71 |
| Buyer | $24.57 | $1,179.30 | $5,110.30 | $61,323.63 |
| Production Manager | $54.15 | $2,599.06 | $11,262.58 | $135,151.02 |
All wages are fully burdened and include all the costs the employer is required to pay on behalf of each employee.
Note: Costs include Mandatory Benefits, Additional Benefits that manufacturing operations offer, State Payroll Tax, Federal Taxes, and Social Benefits.
IVEMSA will create labor and benefit packages customized to keep you competitive and make you an attractive employer, regardless of where in Mexico you choose to set up your business.
Mexico has the world class infrastructure that foreign companies seek. While gated industrial parks are available throughout Mexico, both the northern border states and central states have a long history of successful medical manufacturing and are set up to meet the unique needs of international companies.
The majority of the new available buildings are Class A facilities located in either gated industrial parks or secured and standalone buildings. Existing industrial sites are available in A / new buildings, B / buildings that are 5 to 10 years old, and C / buildings that are 10+ years old. Lease terms are available from 3 to 10 years, with leasing rates ranging from:
| Class A | Class B | Class C |
| $0.65 – $0.75/sq. ft. | $0.59 – $0.64/sq. ft. | $0.55 – $0.60/sq. ft. |
In line with the class of building, sites have systems and capacities that meet both current tenant requirements and accommodate future growth or upgrade demands. Through IVEMSA’s customized site selection process, manufacturers can ensure they lease spaces that meet their manufacturing specifications.
Access to preferential trade through a network of 13 major free trade agreements covering more than 50 countries
IMMEX Program combined with VAT certification enables the temporary importation of materials and equipment without paying VAT at customs
Mexico has some of the most active border crossings and transportation options in the world. There are also multiple efficient, cost-effective transportation options, including:
U.S. companies part of the medical devices industry in Mexico benefit from the rules of origin as laid out in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), as well as other competitive advantages available when manufacturing in Mexico.
The IMMEX Program (Manufacturing, Maquiladora, and Export Services Industry) is essential to manufacturing in Mexico. It allows manufacturers to temporarily import equipment, raw materials, and components as long as they’re used to produce goods for export.
As a companion to the IMMEX program approval, VAT Certification grants 16% VAT exemption on temporary imports of machinery and equipment used in the production, which accelerates cost savings for the medical device manufacturers.
Mexico’s shelter program is a unique way to do business in a foreign country and many international companies choose to operate their manufacturing facilities under this business model. As one of three choices to operate legally in Mexico, working with a shelter company is the safest, fastest, and most cost-competitive way to launch manufacturing in Mexico. Benefits include:
| Working with IVEMSA | Working Alone | |
| Management Team | No need to hire personnel for administrative functions | Hire full administrative team |
| IT Administrative Platform | Included under IVEMSA Shelter Service | Licenses must be purchased and adapted to your MX operation |
| Consulting Advising | All Administrative consulting support included | Need to hire external advisors with different specialties |
| Supervision | Less training & supervision from HQ | Will significantly increase the need for supervision from HQ |
| Risk & Liability | 45+ Years of experience in setting up new operations in Mexico | Longer learning curve higher risk |
| Focus | Your team focus on manufacturing, quality and production | Managers will be distracted with daily administrative issues |
| Timing | Established team expert in manufacturing start-ups, typically 3 months after lease is executed | New team with limited experience on start-ups typically 6 to 7 months |
| Cost | Shelter cost is estimated to cost you 20% to 30% less vs operating alone | Higher overhead cost with less experience |
An additional benefit of operating under the shelter umbrella in Mexico is that it allows for a rapid start-up to operations. In as little as three months, you can be up and running. IVEMSA can provide the following services when you operate under our shelter:
Other companies that are incorporated independently in Mexico can still select individually from the above services to take advantage of the economies of scale offered by a shelter’s administrative services team. Either way, small and large operations receive the benefit of local experts and the cost savings created by a shelter.
Having a knowledgeable expert in Mexico allows your company to tap into networks and resources that assure you are getting the best value for your investment, as well as meeting all local, state, and federal regulations. Many companies start out with the shelter program then transition to a standalone entity. Whatever your choice, IVEMSA will fully support you with compliance and expertise every step of the way.
Is setting up a medical manufacturing operation in Mexico the right step for your company? Only you can make that decision. But if cutting costs or moving operations from Asia or the U.S. to a more strategic location is a factor in your growth, Mexico is an option that deserves to be considered. For a more detailed analysis of cost savings for your operation, or to see for yourself how Mexico can fit into your cost reduction plans, we can help plan a visit tailored to your specific requirements. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
ROBERTO DURAZO
VP Business Development
Email: robertod@ivemsa.com
Call & WhatsApp: +52 646 185 1681
IVEMSA is a comprehensive administrative services provider with nearly 45+ years of supporting foreign companies’ manufacturing operations in Mexico. We offer both shelter and standalone support services with a dedicated team of professionals in six functional areas. Many of the IVEMSA team members have been with the company for many years, building and mining the resources and network necessary to provide the smoothest manufacturing operations and shipping possible for companies from around the world. And no matter how the company has grown, the core values of honesty, integrity, hard work and customer satisfaction, remain at the heart of everything IVEMSA does.
Calzada Abelardo L. Rodríguez 885
Colonia Calles, Mexicali,
Baja California, México 21226
Torre Vinta, Piso 17 Oficina 1701
Blvd. Diaz Ordaz # 3065, Colonia
Santa Maria
Monterey, Nl Cp 64650
Via Corporativo Building
Misión de San Javier 10643, Zona Rio
Suite 421. 4to Piso
Tijuana, BC, Mexico 22010
1111 6th Avenue
Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92101
1778 Carr Road
Suite 1
Calexico, CA 92231
Contact us today and see how we can help you take advantage of all the benefits of manufacturing in Mexico - without the hassle.
