Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1546383
14 SMT007 MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2026 F E AT U R E A RT I C L E The responses were insightful and differed in emphasis, but we noticed several themes that suggest that Mexico is pondering its future capabilities: • Manufacturers want partners rather than vendors • There is a direct correlation between in- creased sophistication in production and the need for increased local technical capabil- ity; automation and digitalization are creating new opportunities • Talent development is critical • Mexico's next phase will depend on moving further into engineering, innovation, and high- er-value manufacturing Mexico's electronics manufacturing story is often reduced simply to nearshoring. But compa- nies operating within the country's manufacturing ecosystem describe a market moving beyond its reputation for cost-competitive assembly. They see deeper capabilities in engineering, automation, technical services, supplier integration, digitaliza- tion, and advanced manufacturing under develop- ment. And they want the world to know. For SMT007 Magazine, we asked six organiza- tions at different positions along the manufacturing value chain to share their vision. We asked them to describe their companies, the value they bring to customers, where they see growth, and how Mexi- co's place in global manufacturing is changing. Mexico's Manufacturing: A Story Bigger Than Nearshoring BY T H E I - C O N N ECT 0 07 E D I TO R I A L T E A M