Aerospace Industry Seeks New Mexican Suppliers
“The manufacturing capabilities that currently serve the metalworking, automotive, and oil industries can also be applied to the aerospace sector,” said Enrique Maldonado, director of supplier development at the Mexican Aerospace Industry Federation (FEMIA).
The specialist cited the example of a five-axis machining center used in the medical, oil, metalworking, and automotive industries, which is very similar to the equipment used in aerospace manufacturing.
“It’s the same equipment; however, its features, certifications, the type of raw material, and equipment configurations determine how it can be used across different industrial sectors,” Maldonado explained.
He noted that while some equipment is highly specialized for aerospace applications, much of it can serve multiple industries. When searching for potential suppliers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) consider the installed capacity of manufacturing facilities and share this information with FEMIA.
Maldonado identified three business opportunities that OEMs are seeking to develop with domestic suppliers: chemical machining, which involves applying a mask to metal plates before removing material through chemical processes; stretch forming; and bridge-type milling, which requires companies to have large machine beds capable of processing oversized aluminum or superalloy components.
Additionally, OEMs are looking to expand their supplier base in Mexico in areas such as casting, high-precision machining, sheet metal, electrical and electronic components, heat treatment, raw materials, forging, and molding.
Maldonado emphasized that companies do not need to meet every requirement from the outset. Having some of the necessary capabilities and a willingness to begin aligning operations with industry standards can be enough to start the process.
“Investing in these quality management systems is not an expense, but rather an investment in attracting new customers,” he said.
Another factor that companies from other industries should consider is their production model.
“The goal is low volume and a high mix—a business strategy that companies in other cross-sector industries sometimes fail to adopt,” Maldonado explained.
He added that this model is particularly well-suited to automation companies that handle low production volumes, one-off parts, or repair work.
Before attending a business meeting, Maldonado recommended having a clearly defined product or service offering, certifications, production availability, and delivery times, as well as being prepared to provide a transparent quotati
