Electronics Manufacturing Service (EMS) Companies in Mexico

Electronics manufacturing service (EMS) companies in Mexico offer a nearshoring alternative to electronics manufacturing in China. EMS companies can generally manage prototyping, component procurement, and final assembly – primarily for exports to the United States and Canada.

In this guide, we list some of Mexico’s leading electronics contract manufacturers and explain what buyers must know about their business model.

Supplier Overview

Supplier qualifications

Industry overview

Product development

Most EMS companies can provide technical support during the product development stage. For example, EMS companies often can help you adjust your technical drawings, bill of materials, and PCB schematics. Keep in mind that they often charge for such services.

Prototyping

Electronics manufacturers understand that functional prototypes must be built before mass production. Likewise, injection molds must be made before casing can be produced. EMS companies tend to provide both, either in-house or through subcontractors.

Assembly

The core business of EMS companies is to manage PCB production and final assembly. The pricing model is often based on the component price, with a fixed margin added on top. The margin in turn depends on product complexity and the total order quantity.

Product compliance

As mentioned, EMS companies in Mexico are primarily focused on exports to the United States and Canada. Some electronics manufacturers can provide some support in terms of ensuring that the products are designed for compliance – but this should not be taken for granted. It is therefore essential that you verify that your product is compliant with all applicable regulations and standards.

Country/market

Examples

USA

1. 47 CFR Part 15 – FCC – Radio Frequency Devices

2. 10 CFR Part 430 – Energy Conservation Program for Consumer

Products

3. 10 CFR Part 431 – Energy Efficiency Program for Certain Commercial and Industrial Equipment

4. 10 CFR Part 429 – Certification, Compliance and Enforcement for Consumer Products and Commercial and Industrial equipment

5. 16 CFR Part 305 – Energy Labeling Rule

Canada

1. Canadian Electrical Code – CSA C22.1

2. RSS-GEN

3. Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA)

4. CSA Standards

NovaLink

NovaLink, though headquartered in the USA, was founded in 1988 and has two manufacturing facilities in Matamoros and Saltillo, Mexico. The company is a contract manufacturing partner, manufactures electronics, and provides manufacturing services such as technical design, line layout, wire harness assembly, process engineering, and component assembly.

It provides its services to small companies with limited resources as well as large, blue-chip brands. NovaLink is also a shelter manufacturer, meaning that it allows foreign manufacturers to set up a maquiladora (manufacturing facility) within its facilities.

It has a quick turnaround of at least 5 days.

Per the company’s website, it is ISO, FDA, and UL certified. Its clients include major sports, automotive, and garment companies.

Solutions

Design consultation
Engineering, prototyping and sampling
Technical design
Quality control
Process engineering
Time studies
Line layout
Sub assembly
Wire harness assembly
Component assembly

Location: Matamoros and Saltillo, Mexico

Mapartel

Founded in 1986, Mapartel has more than 3 decades of experience in providing EMS and designing and manufacturing PCBs. The company provides solutions such as rapid prototyping, SMT and PTH assemblies, component manufacturing, as well as inspections and testing.

It provides its services to industries including home appliances (e.g., refrigeration), industrial (e.g., electronic controls), lighting (e.g., LEDs), commercial (e.g., user interface display controls), automotive, and harnesses and transformers. It also provides custom services for clients and can adapt to their requirements regarding electronic cards.

The company is UL and LRQA certified.

Solutions

Engineering and design
Rapid prototyping
Production and post-market
SMT and PTH assemblies
Single and double sideboards
Inspection and testing
Plastic assemblies and PCBAs
Component manufacturing

Location: Mexico City, Mexico

TKR de México

Founded in Tokyo in 1954, TKR de México began operations in Mexico in 2019. The company also has multiple manufacturing facilities worldwide in countries such as Singapore, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, and the USA.

Its Mexico facility provides custom electronic manufacturing services and offers one-stop-shop services that include manufacturing, software development, system integration, and quality and product assurance.

It has surface mount technology and automated through-hole processes. Its latest surface-mount technological equipment includes magazine loaders, printers, inspection conveyors, solder mixers, and ovens.

It serves the automotive, appliances, and industrial markets, and has an ISO 7 clean room. It is certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

Solutions

Manufacturing services
Software development and jig design
System integration and testing
Quality and product assurance

Location: Nuevo Laredo, Mexico

LACROIX North America

LACROIX’s facility in Juarez, Mexico, was established in 2014 and provides EMS to clients in the automotive, consumer electronics, medical, and industrial industries. This facility uses lean manufacturing principles and provides low-cost manufacturing solutions such as automated conformal coating, electromechanical assembly, x-ray inspection, and functional testing.

It also has standardized equipment platforms, and 11 surface-mount technology lines. These lines have 3D inline solder paste inspections (SPI) and automated optical inspection (AOI). It also has reflow capabilities and wave solder systems.

According to the company’s website, it has ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and IATF 16949 certification. Circuits Magazine also deemed it to be the EMS Company of the Year in 2017. The Juarez facility also wins regular supplier awards from its customers.

Solutions

Automated conformal coating
Potting
Electromechanical assembly
Final system assembly
X-ray inspection
In-circuit test
Functional test

Location: Juarez, Mexico