México Medical Devices Manufacturing Industry

The main products exported from the sector were instruments and devices for medicine, surgery, dentistry or veterinary medicine, which represented 75.9% of Mexican exports of medical devices. 

  • In terms of global trade in medical devices, México is:
  • The 3rd world exporter of tubular suture needles.
  • The 4th world exporter of instruments and devices for medicine, surgery, dentistry or veterinary medicine.
  • The 6th world exporter of syringes. 

Companies estatablished in México 

In México, 2,493 specialized units in medical devices operated during 2015, mainly located in Mexico City, State of Mexico, Baja California, Jalisco and Guanajuato. 

The most important cluster of the country is in Baja California, its companies approximately 50% of the total national exports of the sector; In addition, it has 75 manufacturing plants. On the other hand, Bio Med Ciudad Juárez, has 20 companies. 

The progressive increase in the number of personnel employed in the medical device industry reflects the growth of the sector and according to the latest figures reported by INEGI, 164,086 people were working in this industry.

Human capital  

México has a highly competitive human capital and development capacity, according to the National Association of Universities and Institutions of Higher Education (ANUIES), annually more than 125 thousand engineering, manufacturing and construction students graduate; likewise, it should be noted that in the country there are around 777 educational programs related to Biomedicine.

Competitive cost   

The Competitive Alternatives study by KPMG shows that México offers 21.2% savings in medical instrument manufacturing costs, compared to the US. In addition, México offers cost advantages in areas such as manufacturing of plastics, metal components and precision manufacturing. 

Medical devices top locations

  • Baja California
  • Chihuahua

Source: Manufacturing firms, industry associations, local, state and federal government and economic development agencies.