The Essential Guide To Wire Harness In Mexico

 Breaking down the basics of wire harness in Mexico might seem like a pursuit of technical jargon the likes of which are clear only to those in certain industries. However, manufacturing of any kind in Mexico comes down to understanding the country itself, its people, and how Mexico fits into the global commercial picture.

If it comes across as a bit of a complex matter, that's because it is. For far too long, strategists have taken to looking at the manufacturing sectors of Mexico as nothing more than just pockets of inexpensive labor used by U.S. companies (though not limited to just the U.S.) for bigger profit margins. It should come as no surprise that manufacturing in Mexico is a highly regulated industry in and of itself, with certain areas of the country dedicated solely to certain types of manufacturing. A look at many of the most widely-used & highly-visible goods in the United States are emblazoned with one variation of the 'Made in Mexico' or 'Assembled in Mexico' label.

Wire harnesses, some may argue, are a highly technical item used in some of the most important technology used in modern computation. From personal computers & communication devices all the way to aerospace & military vehicles, wire harnesses serve as the main innards of what makes the modern world go round. Critics of Mexican manufacturing may argue that it's one thing to acknowledge the quality of assembly work done south of the border. It's another thing altogether to believe that the technically precise work of wire harness manufacturing could also be done there. These criticisms, at the very least & most politely noted, would be ignorant at best & would ignore decades of successful wire harness manufacturing in Mexican facilities.

However, it still is important to remember that in order to fully understand manufacturing in Mexico, it's important to understand Mexico as a country. For example:

Political Turmoil - While political strife has been a part of the relationship between Mexico & the United States for generations, the last decade has certainly felt like its most difficult. With the rise of faux 'strongmen' at the helm trying to outdo each other regarding who is to blame for the other country's issues, it's the citizens that suffer. What's more, political firestorms arise due to policy aimed at undermining the other's economy. Essentially, it becomes a silly game of 'chicken' worth billions of dollars at the expense of each country's citizens.

Language Barriers - This isn't so much an issue of whether English & Spanish being a problem. Wire harnesses are, as noted before, highly technical, which means that accurately communicating technical details in a different language is crucial to product integrity & customer satisfaction.

Global Upheaval - It is no surprise that the global health crisis of the last eighteen months has affected every aspect of life. Manufacturing has been dealt quite a blow as the workforce was affected both by illness and a shortage of materials with which to work. For many industries, manufacturing as a whole was brought to a near standstill. Without a contingency plan in place, many companies folded citing an inability to pivot. However, Mexico became quite unique on this front in that it provided a manufacturing gem close to home for U.S.-based companies who had relied heavily on Far East labor. Because of the pandemic, their China-based facilities had ground to a halt, leading many U.S. companies to re-examine their facilities in the Far East. That said, it bears noting that the pandemic impacted & continues to impact Mexico to this day.

Understanding Borders - Over the course of the last few years, Mexico has faced an influx of individuals moving across the country seeking political asylum. There has also been an upheaval of crime due to cartel territory establishment. Let us not forget that the country has also worked hard to rehab negative images of itself for the sake of its tourism industry, with these areas of the country often blurring the lines between being Mexican in geography but American in population.

On the surface, it may come across to some that manufacturing wire harness in Mexico is too much of a hassle. On the contrary, Mexico has one of the most well-educated & highly-prized workforces in the world when it comes to industries like computers & other technology, as well as the auto industry. They are also highly touted for their protection of intellectual property, something every industry holds quite dear. Why is any of this pertinent to wire harness manufacturing in Mexico? Manufacturing successfully in Mexico can be complex. Assumptions about the country & its people can lead to major errors. Understanding this from the start is the first step to a successful manufacturing partnership.