Megan Richford

October 20, 2021

Mexico has a long manufacturing history, but the industry truly skyrocketed in the mid-20th century after the establishment of the Maquiladora program, now known as the IMMEX program. The IMMEX decree improved and expanded on provisions laid out by the original Maquiladora program and continues to position Mexico as one of the top manufacturing locations […]

October 6, 2021

Economic activity around the world saw, and is still seeing, the negative impacts of COVID-19, and Mexico is no exception. However, despite the largest drop in GDP since the Great Depression, Mexico’s economy has experienced unprecedented growth. While some have been slow to pick up, many sectors that are export-related, such as manufacturing, have been […]

October 4, 2021

Commonly referred to as 3PLs, third-party logistics providers are often used by companies that are looking to outsource elements of their distribution, picking and packing, and fulfillment in Mexico. U.S. companies have typically outsourced to 3PLs with facilities in China, but more and more companies are now choosing to manufacture in Mexico due to advantages […]

September 24, 2021

More and more global manufacturers are setting up operations in Mexico due to the country’s low labor costs, skilled workforce, and various free trade agreements. But along with these benefits come the stress and complexities of establishing a business in a foreign country. It’s possible for companies to navigate these laws and regulations themselves, but […]

March 22, 2021

When we think of the leading names in the auto industry, it’s easy to assume that the most reliable, desirable commercial vehicles are made in Europe, the U.S., and Asia. But the past few decades have seen many leading brands move substantial parts of their car manufacturing to Mexico, which is now the #3 global […]

February 16, 2021

After a year of manufacturing and supply chain challenges due to COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to streamline and diversify your supply chains. An important lesson from 2020 is that a shorter global supply chain provides fewer opportunities for delays and issues. However, many businesses have long hosted their manufacturing in China, enjoying low […]

January 5, 2021

There are numerous benefits of manufacturing in Mexico, from lowering your production costs to accessing Mexico and its trade partners’ markets.  But as with any new business venture, it’s important to create a solid plan before taking action. Even if you’ve offshored manufacturing in the past, Mexican business culture and laws can present different growth […]

November 12, 2020

Since the advent of NAFTA in 1994, the United States, Mexico, and Canada have enjoyed a special relationship with reduced barriers to trade. Now, more and more U.S. businesses are nearshoring their manufacturing to their southern neighbor, Mexico.  But America isn’t the only country with whom Mexico has a trade deal– companies with operations in […]

October 10, 2020

While China and Vietnam were once prominent partners for U.S. brands, wage inflation and changing trade agreements have left many clothing lines searching for new solutions for their manufacturing needs. With COVID-19 continuing to disrupt the garment industry, it’s more prudent than ever to diversify and shorten your supply chain—and, whenever possible, to lower your […]

September 23, 2020

If you’re a business based in the United States considering nearshoring some manufacturing operations to Mexican territory, you will not only want to understand the Mexican business culture itself but how Mexico’s Value Added Tax (VAT) may impact your operations. What is the VAT Tax? Locally referred to as the impuesto al valor agregado tax […]

September 10, 2020

Mexican business culture is distinct from business culture in the United States, which has the potential to present challenges during negotiations. Though there is probably more common ground between business cultures than you realize, it is important to understand the differences as well. Whether you are operating under a Mexico shelter company, or looking to […]

March 30, 2020

The global pandemic began due to the initial outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic in Wuhan, China. With no new deaths in the Hubei province for several days, one might assume that manufacturing in China will soon return to business-as-usual, ending the disruptions to the global supply chain that have affected companies in the U.S. and […]

February 1, 2020

Global e-commerce has drastically increased the number of international shipments sent each day. When consumers and companies buy merchandise online via an e-commerce platform, it may come from anywhere in the world. Entry Type 86, is a new customs entry type intended to help Customs and Border Protection (CBP) manage the flow of goods, creating […]

December 15, 2019

Today, in a world where supply chains are complex and span the globe overseas, many of the fine details become muddied or generalized by those unfamiliar with the industry. For example, laymen often confuse outsourcing vs offshoring by using them as interchangeable phrases. The problem with this mindset lies in the fact that both terms […]

November 10, 2019

In recent years, manufacturing within Mexico has been an increasingly more viable and cost-effective alternative to production in Asia. Businesses not only derive benefits from close proximity to the states but can also find a competitive advantage thanks to favorable trade deals and a skilled low-cost workforce.   Below, we’ll dive into the various factors as […]

November 1, 2019

The goal for every business is to drive revenue while simultaneously decreasing costs. The pursuit of cost savings is one of the many reasons why a growing number of American businesses—particularly within the e-commerce space—have been manufacturing in Mexico.  While most would cite the low hourly costs of labor or the cheaper warehousing fees, many […]

October 15, 2019

The past decade has ushered in an era of unprecedented economic growth and development within Mexico. Viewed as an emerging market, particularly in the commodities and manufacturing sectors, it now has the 15th largest economy in the world with a 2018 GDP of $2.6 trillion. Economists suggest that the recent growth within the Mexican economy’s […]

September 25, 2019

According to the US census, 34.8% of the United States’ imports in 2018 were from two countries: China and Mexico. Both countries are manufacturing hubs that can export goods at a reduced rate. And American businesses rely on partnerships with manufacturing plants in both countries to reduce labor, shipping, and infrastructure costs. Keeping these expenses […]

September 20, 2019

China is quickly losing its stronghold as the manufacturing superpower of the world. The reason this is occurring is a topic of much controversy, but when you start to compare data—then factor in the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China—you realize that China is not the cheapest nor the easiest offshore territory to […]

September 18, 2019

When someone thinks manufacturing, usually it’s China that comes to mind. North America is all familiar with the iconic “Made in China” stamp that accompanies the many products we know and love. In fact, U.S manufacturing output in Asia has been large enough that during the Cold War, American media campaigns waged war against the […]

September 8, 2019

The past decade has ushered in an era of unprecedented economic growth and development within Mexico. Viewed as an emerging market, particularly in the commodities and manufacturing sectors, it now has the 15th largest economy in the world with a 2018 GDP of $2.6 trillion. Economists suggest that the recent growth within the manufacturing sector […]

June 27, 2018

Content was last updated for relevancy and accuracy on September 30, 2019.  Will Tariffs Benefit or Hurt U.S. Manufacturers? The primary intent of applying a tariff on raw materials is to help domestic producers of such materials be more competitive with their global counterparts, thus creating (or protecting) domestic jobs. And while this strategy can […]

January 15, 2018

Manufacturing In Guanajuato Located in central Mexico just northwest of Mexico City, Guanajuato is currently the fastest growing state for manufacturing in Mexico. The automobile industry in Mexico is fueling the growth of Guanajuato with the opening of four new plants in Mexico in 2014 from Honda, Mazda, Volkswagen and, just to the north in […]

December 21, 2017

For over two decades, NAPS has revolutionized the administration and compliance management industry in Mexico by providing expert advice, outstanding service and effective tools to help companies successfully manufacture in Mexico.

December 11, 2017

November 7, 2017

Determining Where to Manufacture – A Guide As a business, one of the most crucial decisions to make is where to locate manufacturing operations, as this can have a tremendous impact on the profitability of the enterprise. In recent years, there has been a seismic shift in how companies are doing business as more and […]

August 29, 2017

Offshoring manufacturing is an option many companies consider in order to reduce operating expenses, while maintaining a high-quality end product. If you are considering manufacturing offshore, you may be wondering what offshoring is, where the best place is for offshore manufacturing, and the pros of offshoring. Below is a comprehensive guide to why you should […]

January 9, 2017

Cost is of the utmost importance to companies considering expanding or moving their manufacturing operations to another country. When analyzing the cost of manufacturing, many companies choose to relocate their manufacturing to Mexico for a number of reasons. These reasons vary from lower labor rates to the availability of qualified workers, but each reason is […]

January 2, 2017

As the manufacturing industry continually shifts to nearshoring operations in Mexico from China, the preponderance of products made in Mexico is steadily increasing. As a consumer, the first concern is whether or not the quality of the product made in Mexico is commensurate with those made in the United States and China. In addition to […]

December 19, 2016

Outsourcing and offshoring are often used synonymously, however, the terms in fact have two very different meanings and implications. Outsourcing is when a company negotiates a contract with a third party to perform a specific function. When outsourcing a process or operation, it is vital to find a company or person that specializes in the […]

December 12, 2016

This content was last updated on July 17, 2019. Maquiladora Definition A Maquiladora is a factory or manufacturing operation in Mexico run by a foreign company and exporting its products to the country of that company. These factories import certain raw materials on a duty-free and tariff-free basis for manufacturing and then export the manufactured […]

December 5, 2016

Content was last updated for relevancy and accuracy on September 30, 2019.  China and Mexico are two of the most popular choices for manufacturing because of the low production costs and high volume environments. In order to choose between manufacturing in these two locations, an analysis of the pros and cons of manufacturing in Mexico […]

November 10, 2016

  Globalization has truly changed the economic landscape, leading to diverse growth all over the world. In recent years, Mexico has become a hub for major companies, particularly those with manufacturing needs. The new factories, experienced workforce, low labor costs, and improved trade agreements—particularly NAFTA—have contributed to the growth of new businesses in Mexico. NAFTA […]