Guillermo Padres

Governor of Sonora

WHAT IS THE CURRENT SITUATION FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN SONORA?

Sonora is one of the most industrialized States in Mexico. We have a Ford Stamping and Assembly plant in Hermosillo producing the Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ. This is being done from their brand new CD4 platform and production is reaching 375,000 units per year.
We also host the country's most important aerospace machining cluster for turbine components. In addition, secondary processes for these machined parts can be found in the region. The industry is currently supplying companies such as Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier, Honeywell and Rolls Royce.
There are also other strategic industries for the economic development of the State. These include the electronic, medical equipment, renewable energy, mining and agribusiness sectors.

WHICH ARE THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES THAT SONORA HAS TO ATTRACT FOREIGN INVESTMENT?

Sonora has a robust highly skilled labor force. This derives from 20 years of dynamic involvement in developing effi cient manufacturing practices based on high quality standards. This has been possible through collaborative efforts between the productive sector and an excellent educational system. This collaboration has resulted in the development of practical training focused on involving the implementation of technique and methodology courses designed in accordance with particular competency needs required by the industry.
Important investments in industrial infrastructure have been made to further facilitate the strengthening of the supply chain for our core industrial segments, and also to facilitate connectivity between the main manufacturing centers throughout the state and the destination market for those goods and services.
Proof of such investment can be found in our 1,250 miles of railroad, 22,500 miles of highway infrastructure, 6 modernized ports of entry to the U.S., deep-sea water port and 5 airports.
Sonora has been blessed with a strategic geographic location allowing for the reduction of logistics costs when accessing our main target markets, which are North America and Asia. This competitive advantage has resulted in numerous companies from all around the world who want to pursue setting-up operations in Sonora as they seek to penetrate the Asia-Pacifi c market.
We have successfully developed strategic programs that allow us to identify and approach companies whose needs align with the processes, standards and qualifications of our manufacturing capabilities. Furthermore, we have also set in place the Business Retention and Expansion Program. This is a proactive and reactive aftercare program promoting strong and long-lasting relationships with companies that have already established in Sonora.

WHICH ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS THAT HAVE RECENTLY LANDED IN SONORA?

Among the most important industrial projects that have chosen or ratified Sonora as their home we can highlight Ford's new CD4 platform, Rolls Royce's international procurement offi ce, Latecoere, Reyma Group, and QET Tech's MRO.

IS THERE ANY ADDITIONAL FOREIGN INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT TO BE EXPECTED IN SONORA IN THE NEAR FUTURE?

The State Government is working with several companies that once established in Sonora we believe will trigger an important development in the already formed clusters. As an example, I could mention an MRO operation to be established inside the Free Trade Zone in Obregon City. It will add value to the aerospace industry in our region. The recent establishment of a Rolls Royce procurement office in Guaymas will also promote the growth of the aerospace sector in Sonora.
We can also mention that we just had a letter of intent signed by SunEdison, a worldwide known solar company. They want to build a photovoltaic plant in Sonora.

WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IN SONORA?

As we move further into the future and begin to harvest the fruits of the efforts made to consolidate a strong and stable industrial development, we foresee that Sonora will become an important center for highly specialized manufacturing. This will result in the strengthening of our supply chain. It will allow for the establishment of additional OEM's for both the automotive and aerospace industries.
Moreover, the skills acquired by the labor force derived from such industrial development will pave the path for Sonora to begin its quest towards becoming a design, research and development center.