Industry profile

The Medical Device Industry in Mexico

According to INEGI, the value of production of this sector in Mexico reached 7,783 million dollars in 2010.

According to Global Trade Atlas, Mexico exported close to 6 billion dollars in 2010, ranking eleventh as medical device exporter, globally. During that year, the country also had a 3 billion dollar surplus in the industry trade balance. The medical device industry exports increased at a compound annual growth rate of 11.4% from 2003 to 2010, proving its dynamism and growth potential.

Mexico is the leading medical device exporter in Latin America and the primary supplier to the United States. In 2010, Mexican medical device?s exports to the U.S. reached 5.4 billion dollars.

The main products exported globally by Mexico are medical, surgical and dental instruments; orthopedic items and devices; and X-ray devices.

Companies Established in Mexico

There are more than 2000 companies in Mexico of which around 400 are exporters; the majority of these engage in manufacture and assembly, according to the Ministry of Economy (SE).

The main medical device manufacturing states are: Baja California, Chihuahua, Federal District, Jalisco, Sonora, Nuevo León, Morelos, Tamaulipas and the State of Mexico.

Foreign Direct Investment in the Industry

According to SE, Mexico?s medical device industry captured 927.5 million dollars in foreign direct investment from 1999 to 2010. The main investing countries in the industry were the United States, Switzerland, Germany and The Netherlands.

Strengths of Mexican Medical Devices Industry

• Human Resources.

  According to ANUIES, more than 790 thousand higher-education students are enrolled in engineering and technology programs. In addition, 90 thousand students graduate from those programs every year.

• Competitive Costs.

  KPMG?s ?Competitive Alternatives 2010? study shows that Mexico offers 20% savings in manufacturing costs for medical devices, compared to the U.S. and eight other industry-leading countries. Furthermore, Mexico offers the lowest manufacturing costs for plastics, metal components and precision manufacturing.