Medical Devices Manufacturing in Mexico

Medical device manufacturing in Mexico provides competitive cost advantages, overall operational efficiencies and more flexibility, allowing companies to focus on research & development, sales, customer service and growth management. Baja California, specifically Tijuana, has the largest concentration of medical device manufacturing companies in all of North America (including the United States). A few examples of medical equipment and devices being produced in Baja California are: nebulizers, oxygen sensors, sterile fluid-patch disposables, orthodontic braces, catheters and disposable tools for robotic surgeries.

A competitive alternatives study for medical device manufacturing in Mexico was performed by KPMG in 2010 and concluded that Mexico offers a cost advantage of over 20%, and close to four times the after-tax profit, compared to manufacturing in the U.S. This is just one reason companies in the medical device manufacturing industry such as, Smiths Medical, Cardinal Healthcare, Johnson & Johnson, GE Healthcare, TYCO, Medtronic, Baxter, Greatbatch, and Welch Allyn have expanded their manufacturing footprints to Mexico.

Facts about Manufacturing Medical Devices in Mexico:

  • 3rd largest medical importer (behind U.S. and Canada)
  • Global leader in FDA, CE & ISO 13485 certified manufacturing facilities
  • 70% of plants operate in controlled environments – most having class 10,000 or class 100,000 clean rooms
  • More than 38,000 workers involved in the industry
  • 38% growth in Baja California alone between 2010-2013, expected to continue growing
  • Mexico exports 92% of the medical devices it produces to the United States and Canada (other large markets include the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Columbia)

NAPS has helped Mexico become a global leader in medical device manufacturing, in large part through its Administration and Compliance Management Program. Whether operating under “shelter” or establishing your own Mexican corporation, NAPS provides 100% of the factory’s on-going administration, including Human Resources, Import/Export, Accounting (in Mexico), Environmental Health & Safety and the management of all related compliance with each functional department. This allows our clients to focus on production and quality control with the comfort of knowing the plant’s administration is being handled properly and in full compliance with Mexican and international business laws.