The Main Benefits of Shelter Services for Nearshoring to Mexico

Key Takeaways:

• Manufacturers nearshoring to Mexico often partner with a shelter company to expedite the setup process.
• Benefits of Mexico shelter manufacturing include quicker startup time, lower costs, and flexible solutions.
• Talking with a Mexico shelter company can help you determine cost-effectiveness and whether your business is a good fit based on your production goals.

In 2025, Mexico reached a record high of USD $21.4 billion in foreign direct investment in the first quarter. This reflects an upward trend over the past four years, which can be attributed to several factors.

Pandemic recovery, trade conflicts with China, and U.S. incentives through the USMCA and other programs have caused many manufacturers to revisit nearshoring to Mexico as a strategy.

And although nearshoring itself may not be an entirely new concept, partnering with a Mexico shelter company may be.

The value Mexico shelter companies deliver

The shelter model is unique to Mexico, allowing U.S. and other foreign manufacturers to limit their risk and liability when launching production while reaping all the benefits.

Though contract manufacturing and setting up production as a standalone entity are available alternatives, most foreign companies choose Mexico shelter manufacturing as their preferred strategy.

In addition to the lowered risk of manufacturing in a foreign country, other main benefits of shelter services include:

• Quicker startup time – Manufacturers can expect to launch production within 3-4 months compared to the 6-7 months it takes to set up a standalone entity.
• Reduced learning curve – Working with industry experts local to Mexico helps with oversight regarding maintaining compliance with differing rules, regulations, and labor laws.
• Lower costs – Operating under a shelter allows manufacturers to save up to 50% on labor costs alone for administrative personnel.
• Flexible solutions – Mexico shelter companies customize services to grow with manufacturing companies and help them scale or stop production as needed.

What do shelter services include?

Shelter services cover everything manufacturers need for production in Mexico including:

• Industrial site selection
• Trade compliance
• HR and recruiting
• Government and legal compliance
• Taxes and accounting

How do shelter services compare to contract manufacturing in Mexico?

By partnering with Mexico shelter companies, manufacturers maintain full control over their equipment, processes, and intellectual property.

Whereas, those implementing contract manufacturing relinquish oversight and quality control over their production. It’s up to each company to decide what its manufacturing goals require.

Get Started with a Mexico Shelter Company

Manufacturers new to nearshoring to Mexico may not know exactly where to start. The advantage of working with a shelter company is there’s already local experience and expertise in place to guide the process.

From site selection to hiring qualified industrial workers, a Mexico shelter company handles all administrative responsibilities necessary to launch production. This leaves manufacturers to focus on what they do best.

If you’re considering nearshoring to Mexico, let’s discuss whether shelter services make sense for your business. Our team is here to help you make a seamless transition.

Contact IVEMSA today.

Source:

https://mexiconewsdaily.com/business/foreign-investment-mexico-2025/