Medical Device Manufacturing in Mexico: An Overview
02.19.26Key Takeaways:
- The medical device industry in Mexico is projected to rise 5% year over year and reach approximately US$800 billion by 2030, joining global leaders that already have a strong presence.
- Innovative new medical devices that serve the health and wellness industry will become more prevalent and drive demand, encouraging more foreign companies to explore the benefits of manufacturing in Mexico.
- Manufacturers must stay current with regulation changes and challenges presented by new markets to meet compliance requirements both in Mexico and the U.S.
Medical device manufacturing in Mexico has increased over the past decade, as companies adapt to the emergence of innovative technologies and demand for new medical equipment and devices.
As of 2024, Mexico ranks sixth in medical device exports, equaling US$19.3B, with the U.S. being its top destination.
Companies Leading the Medical Device Industry in Mexico
Currently, there are 250+ companies in Mexico that manufacture medical devices, and foreign direct investment in the sector isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Mexico’s ability to consistently generate specialized labor, coupled with competitive production costs, has attracted numerous multinational corporations that are seeking scalable medical device manufacturing solutions.
Some of the companies in the industry with an established presence in Mexico include:
- Medline Industries – As a global manufacturer and distributor of medical and surgical products, Medline announced earlier this year that it will invest an additional US$250 million for a new facility in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas.
- Medtronic – A well-known medical device leader with 20+ years in Tijuana, manufacturing life-saving medical devices, such as coronary and vascular peripheral materials, Medtronic employs over 5,500 employees across two facilities.
- Becton Dickinson (BD) – Global manufacturer of medical devices and instrument systems, with an investment of US$80 million and the construction of a third plant in Ciudad Juárez, BD is set to begin operations in 2026.
- Abbott Laboratories – Strengthening its long-held footprint in Mexico, the renowned healthcare company inaugurated its new electrophysiology manufacturing plant in Queretaro in January 2026, which represented an investment of US$200 million and a focus on specialized technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac rhythm disorders.
- Stryker Corporation – Fortune 500 medical technology manufacturer with multiple strategically located plants in Tijuana, Stryker leverages the cross-border advantages manufacturing in Mexico provides U.S. companies.
Mexico’s Quality Infrastructure Law (QLI) & Medical Device Regulatory Standards
Medical device manufacturers must meet Mexico’s official standards (Normas Oficiales Mexicanas or NOMs), which are technical regulations, including label200ing requirements, issued by government agencies and secretariats.
This includes an equivalence procedure, which requires basic essential characteristics of a medical device to be identical to those of the medical device authorized by the Reference Regulatory Authorities (RRA) and the World Health Organization.
It also involves proving product origin under the USMCA to receive preferential tariff treatment, among other regulatory standards. U.S. and other foreign manufacturers are tasked with familiarizing themselves with the law and amended regulations in full to ensure that any products manufactured comply with state and federal law.
What Are the Benefits of Medical Device Manufacturing in Mexico?
Global manufacturers, particularly those headquartered in the U.S., choose Mexico as a place to expand production due to the many advantages it provides, such as:
- Accessibility to cost-effective, technically qualified labor
- Steady supply chain and strategic placement for manufacturing facilities
- Strong IP and trademark protections under the USMCA
- Convenient and efficient transportation options
- Competitive costs for industrial leases and support services
Labor Availability for Medical Device Manufacturing in Mexico
As other countries, including the U.S., face a shortage in industrial labor availability, Mexico continuously fills the labor pool with technical talent that manufacturers need for production demand.
Additionally, many U.S. companies partner with universities in Mexico and create specific training programs to ensure recruiting and hiring for highly specialized roles, including those required for medical device manufacturing, is possible.
Medical Device Clusters in Mexico
One of the many advantages of medical device manufacturing in Mexico is the clusters set up throughout the country that are equipped with steady supply chains, local labor, and favorable transportation routes. These areas include:
- Baja California – The majority of the country’s medical device manufacturing is concentrated along the U.S./Mexico border, amplifying the bi-national trade benefits between the two countries.
- Guadalajara – Referred to as the “Silicon Valley of Mexico,” Guadalajara has become the cornerstone for electronic and high-tech medical device R&D and production, sparking innovation within the medical device industry, among other sectors.
- Nuevo Leon – As the leading state for electronic medical equipment manufacturing, it continues to be a hub of growing activity with a solid infrastructure that benefits companies that are expanding production to Mexico for the first time.
IP Provisions Extensive
Mexico maintains 13 free trade agreements with 50 countries, including the USMCA. Intellectual property protection under the USMCA strongly enforces trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, in addition to digital production, with provisions for industrial design terms and enhanced pharmaceutical patent protections.
Extensive, Efficient Transportation Options
Mexico has some of the most active border crossings and transportation options in the world. There are also multiple options to choose from in moving commercial goods in and out of Mexico:
- 65 international airports with an investment plan of over US$72 billion for upgrades to airport infrastructure in Mexico between 2025 and 2030
- 102 ports with 16 international commercial cargo and passenger ports
- 98 million tons of foreign trade moved by train in Mexico (2023)
- 800,000 km of road networks
Site Selection and Shelter Services
Mexico’s shelter program is considered the safest, most cost-competitive way to operate. It alleviates the administrative setup necessary to launch production and allows companies to stay nimble as needs shift when scaling production up or down.
Most U.S. manufacturers choose this mode of entry when setting up production, as it minimizes risk and liability, creates a quicker startup time, and gives companies full control over processes and intellectual property rights.
Partnering with IVEMSA
As the medical device industry in Mexico grows, U.S. and other foreign manufacturers are looking to the support of a shelter company when setting up production. It remains a go-to strategy for initiating a seamless transition to Mexico manufacturing.
Manufacturers benefit from the services, expertise, and experience that a shelter partner provides while saving costs and setup time. From providing a site selection analysis to helping manufacturers navigate compliance complexities, it’s a partnership that has benefited global companies across various sectors for decades.
Whether you’re in medical device manufacturing or another industry, Mexico continues to be a good place for growth. Learn why shelter services may be the right fit for you. Contact IVEMSA today.
Sources:
https://kpmg.com/us/en/articles/2023/medical-devices-2030.html
https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-product/medical-instruments/reporter/mex
https://tijuanaedc.org/medtronic-in-tijuana-success-in-medical-manufacturing/
https://mexico-now.com/becton-dickinson-invests-us80-million-in-juarez/
https://tijuanaedc.org/stryker-in-tijuana-world-class-medical-manufacturing/
https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/mexico-trade-standards