4 Myths and facts of doing business in Mexico (The tale of 2 Mexico’s)

Published Categorized as Business in Mexico, Logistics, Manufacturing

If you want to expand your business internationally; you must separate the myths from the facts of doing business in Mexico.

When somebody talks to you about Mexico, you probably have this image in your mind, of mariachis, or people wearing big sombreros, just sitting or sleeping besides a cactus. And while all of that is pretty much part of Mexican daily life, there is what we call the “tale of 2 Mexico’s”. 

Shelter services in Mexico. Myths and facts of doing business in Mexico.

The traditional and stereotypical, are part of the “first Mexico;” but foreign investors, and Canadian companies alike, need to realize that there is also a world-class Mexico. A “second Mexico.”

We are talking about a country that has very advanced types of operations, with very dynamic, and vibrant cities.  

Mexico is the first commercial partner to the US

In terms of economics, Mexico is the first commercial partner to the US. 

As of the beginning of 2021 Mexico surpassed China as being the first commercial partner. So, I think we need to talk about this dichotomy between the traditional Mexico and the world class Mexico which will surprise you. 

If you visit Mexico, you will be surprised to see world class installations, world class manufacturing processes, alongside good living standards and other factors that will give you a clearer and more accurate depiction of Mexico as an economic force.

But to really understand the “Tale of 2 Mexico’s,” we must address the 4 main myths and facts of doing business in Mexico.  

Myth 1: Investing in Mexico is not safe 

When talking about myths and facts of doing business in Mexico; this is always the first one, that we find ourselves having to explain why it is not true.  

First of all, regarding safety, everything is relative. However, if you compare the crime rates of some of the manufacturing cities in the US, such as Detroit or Pennsylvania or other similar places, with the Mexican manufacturing cities such as Monterrey or Queretaro; you’ll find that Mexican manufacturing cities have lower crime rates than their American counterparts.

Detroit on a map
Map of Detroit
City of Monterrey. Manufacturing in Mexico
City of Monterrey, one of the border states.

Despite Mexico facing issues relating to drug dealing, manufacturing operations in Mexico are safe. Canadian and American expats going to Mexico are safe. If you take the proper safety measures, and if you keep a low-profile behavior, and you don’t go into the wrong places at the wrong times, you will be safe.

Legal framework for doing business in Mexico

But also, I would like to talk about the legal framework in Mexico. The country has a strong legal framework to protect foreign investors, and if you have to invest or to open a new company, there will be a strong legal framework to protect your investment. 

Also, in case you were wondering, it is allowed for foreign companies to own 100% of a Mexican company. 

But if you are, let’s say; worried about the legal exposure, and your business case is a cost-centre type of operations, probably, you might explore a legal structure like the shelter operation, but I mean this is really depending on every business case. And it is not for everyone. 

But if you are a profit centre in Mexico, probably the best option is to own your company in Mexico, since day one and do all your operations through your Mexican entity. 

Also, Mexico is part of the World Trade Organization and has been for quite some time, so that means that the country abides by the international rules. And in case there is a dispute, there are mechanisms to protect companies. 

Logo of the World Trade Organization
World Trade Organization

One of the most important facts of doing business in Mexico, is that the country, is also one of the few countries with more trade agreements than most. Mexico has signed more than 50 trade agreements with, important partners such as, of course the USMCA with the US and Canada, but also with the European UnionJapan and with the Trans Pacific alliance.

European Union
Money from all the members of the Pacific alliance
Mexico, Chile, Peru and Colombia are the 4 members of the Pacific Alliance

So really there is a good certainty, that when you invest in Mexico, the rule of law will prevail. 

Even recently, with the signature of the USMCA/CUSMA/T-MEC it provided, added certainty for investors in terms of intellectual property. 

Contrary to what you may experience when doing business and manufacturing in Asian countries. 

There are also, commitments for labour compliance and ethical practices. Recently, even the labour laws changed, to allow the full freedom for workers to unionize, if that’s the case. 

Also, slave work and child work, are strictly forbidden and every labour compliance and ethical practices are already embedded in the treaties and laws signed by Mexico. 

And of course, anti-corruption provisions are also in place to ensure that there is an ethical way of doing business in Mexico.  

Myth 2: Manufacturing in Mexico is only for cheap labor operations 

 This myth is also false.

One of the facts of doing business in Mexico, is that the country is still very competitive, especially when taking into consideration the average price of labour, the hourly cost in average; fully burdened with all the mandatory and other fringe benefits to remain competitive in the market. 

Mexico is very competitive, particularly, for labour operations. So yes, Mexico is not the cheapest any longer, but if you compare these prices and costs with other Asian countries, you’ll see that Mexico is quite competitive. 

In Mexico, the minimum wage is expressed as the daily-minimum income and during the current administration of President Lopez Obrador; there has been an effort, due to the left-wing agenda, to really improve the purchasing power of people, particularly for the low-income population.  

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in front of Palacio Nacional in Mexico City
President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador

So there have been some increases in the minimum wage which is an indicator of how things are. However, in the manufacturing industry, probably nobody would earn just the minimum wage. Normally, someone would be earning, maybe two or three times the minimum wage in Mexico. 

However, progress is needed, of course there are jobs and they have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but still the forecast for the increase in jobs, in the next few years, will be pretty much indexed with inflation. 

Right now, in terms of wages, there are 2 zones; the first one is the border zone salary in which the salaries are higher. I mean, before 2018 there was just one national salary. Nowadays there is a differentiation between national wage-zones and border wage-zones.  

But still, given the fact that the Mexican currency has been relatively steady, with a normal devaluation of the currency, has allowed Mexico to remain competitive for several years, and probably it’s going to continue to be the case for years to come.  

Myth 3: There are no skilled people to work in manufacturing.  

Well, this one is easy to handle. 

Just take a look at the demographics of the country, because this is one of the facts of doing business in Mexico, that Canadian companies misunderstand.

  • Mexico has a total population of 126 million people. 
  • The average age is 29 years old. 
  • 60% of the population is below the average age.  

In a nutshell, Mexico will have a very good demographic bonus; because, there will be an influx of people coming to work or needing a job in the next 20 to 30 years. And, as we can see, the population growth rate still is positive.

But also take a look at the number of graduated professionals. Specially at engineers and technicians. Right now, Mexico is producing more talent, more engineers, more technicians than even in the United States.  

  • 126, 265 graduated professionals & engineers
  • 20, 784 Technicians

* as of 2020

Steel manufacturing in Mexico and working for the manufacturing industry, is desirable for most young people. I mean, it’s fashionable, or, it’s very appealing to work for an international corporation. 

An example of a thriving sector in manufacturing is of course, aerospace. Mexico has a very thriving aerospace industry. Probably not in the best shape at this point in time, but it serves to give you an idea of the kind of skills that you can find in Mexico. 

By far the automotive sector is the most important nowadays and it’s recovering to the levels of production it had before the pandemic hit.  

Appliances, electronics and medical devices are other thriving industries just to name a few.  

Myth 4: Manufacturing in Mexico is just for border towns.  

This is one of those facts of doing business in Mexico, that has historic roots, concerning the industrialization of the country during the 20th century, and the repercussions of the signing of NAFTA in 1994.

Well, ok, let’s just say that the industrialization of Mexico took place in the northern border towns. Given the proximity with the US border. And yes, still manufacturing in border towns is convenient, particularly for those companies that are very sensitive to logistics, or they really need to be close to the border because they attack the US markets. 

The wage zones in Mexico

But little by little, Mexico has achieved the critical mass of companies and employed people in central parts of Mexico. Particularly in states like Queretaro, Guanajuato, San Jose Potosi; which have a good number of companies, and a good degree of industrialization.  

The reality right now in Mexico is that states in the Gulf of Mexico; such as Veracruz or Yucatan, are also improving and probably; the challenge for Mexico, nowadays is to boost the states in the South of Mexico, such as Michoacan, or Guerrero, or Chiapas, which are lagging behind. 

Myth 5: Nearshoring in Mexico is a solution for troubles with Asian supply chains 

This is a yes or no type of answer.  

Unlike the rest of the facts of doing business in Mexico, It really depends, on your industrial sector and your type of operations.

The answer is yes:

  • If you are in an industry where you have a high mix/low volume of operations, it really makes a lot of sense, given the logistics problems that we are facing with Asian supply chains.  
  • If your products are sensitive to long lead times, and you really need to react fast. Mexico and Canada are in similar time zones; but bear in mind, that even Mexico has Eastern Time zones. 
  • If you are also, in sensitive sectors for the US, like steel or aluminum; with all this “trade war” that was unleashed in the previous US administration, many companies are thinking about, or they are in the midst of relocating to Mexico, just to overcome these hurdles. 
  • And last but not least, there are very good opportunities, for design and engineering companies. I mean, taking advantage of the experience, and the skills that the Mexican engineers are achieving; and for a fraction of the cost, that it would cost a design engineering operation, this is a very good opportunity also for doing business in Mexico.  

The answer is no:

  • In the case of electronic appliances.
  • If you have a low mix/high volume of operations.
  • If your process has a high energy consumption; then the prices of certain utilities, or even electricity, is not as competitive as in Canada or in the US.

These 4 facts of doing business in Mexico, can help Canadian companies, looking to expand their business to Mexico. Of course there are more myths and facts; however, these seemed to us the first ones we should clear up.

Are there other facts of doing business in Mexico that you are interested?