Japanese manufacturers have been boosting investments in Mexico. Likewise, in the electronic equipment manufacturing industry, surface mount technology (SMT) and electronic manufacturing services (EMS) companies have been actively making inroads into Mexico. 

Moreover, many industries, including the automotive industry, have made inroads into Mexican states. Namely, these states are Guadalajara, Estado de Jalisco; Monterrey, Estado de Nuevo León; Estado de Guanajuato; Querétaro de Arteaga; and Estado de San Luis Potosí.  Japanese companies related to automobiles and other industries have already been operating in Mexico. This landscape in Mexico has prompted Japanese electronic equipment manufacturers to make foray into Mexico aiming to capture demand for automotive electronics. 

Robust Market for SMT, Soldering Robots

Japan Unix Co., Ltd. deploys a soldering business for the global market focusing on soldering robots.  The company opened its second office in Mexico in Monterrey, following Guadalajara. For that reason, the company now has a total of nine bases overseas.  They are in Shanghai and Shenzhen in China, Seoul in Korea, Penang in Malaysia, and Taipei in Taiwan.  In addition, it also has sales bases in New Jersey in the United States, Gurugram in India, and two bases in Mexico. 

Monterrey is the capital of the northeastern state of Nuevo León, Mexico, and the second largest city in Mexico ranking with Guadalajara.  Monterrey lies near the border with the United States. Because of this geological condition, like Guadalajara, Monterrey has many foreign-affiliated automotive-related companies, including electrical equipment systems manufacturers, established in the city.  Thus, the city contributes to the economic development of Mexico. Japan Unix has established the Monterrey Office to enhance services to its customers, including Japanese and other automotive printed circuit board manufacturers. 

Among SMT-related manufacturers, Saki Corporation has expanded into Mexico.  In August, the company opened a new office in Zapopan in the state of Jalisco. 

Situated in the manufacturing base of the Guadalajara urban area, this office is home to the company’s local subsidiary Saki America de México S.A. de C.V. (Saki Mexico). Thus, it is an important base to provide the company’s leading-edge automated optical inspection (AOI) and solder paste inspection (SPI) solutions to customers established in the North and South American continents. 

In addition, MASS Co., Ltd., a trading company of SMT equipment, ventured into Querétaro de Arteaga and is dealing mainly with Japanese companies. 

Production Base for EMS Companies

Among EMS companies, Kaga Electronics Co., Ltd. has built its second manufacturing base in Mexico.  Kaga Electronics, a trading company of electronics, has expanded by positioning the EMS business as its growth strategy. In Mexico, the company established in 2017 TAXAN MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., a wholly-owned subsidiary, in the state of San Luis Potosí, as its production base.  The subsidiary has been assembling mainly lighting units for four-wheeled vehicles destined for the United States market. 

Moreover, the company has strengthened and expanded its production system in Mexico. It is moving to build its second plant in Mexico in San Luis Potosí. 

The new plant will stand on a lot of 80,000sq.m and have a building area of 20,000sq.m.  It will have 700 employees at the start of its operations.  Operations will start in April 2024. 

Also, another Japanese EMS company, SIIX Corporation, is already carrying out business in San Luis Potosí. The company has been packaging circuit boards for on-board units for the North American market.