Leaders Drive Alliance Across Key Mexican Industries

Representatives of key industry associations in Mexico met at the Annual Industrial Events Meeting in Mexico to discuss strategies to boost manufacturing, steel processing, transport, and surface finishing.

“Without machinery, there is no transformation; without transformation, there is no industry. Without industry, there is no sustainable growth,” says Ana Vigil, CEO, Mexican Association of Machinery Distributors (AMDM). 

Mexico’s manufacturing, steel, transport, and surface finishing sectors are seeing increased investment, workforce diversification, and technology adoption in 2025. The manufacturing industry represented 20% of Mexico’s GDP in 2024 and employed more than 9 million people, according to data from the AMDM.

The recent Annual Industrial Events Meeting in Mexico brought together four of the country’s leading industrial organizations to present their event schedules for 2025 and 2026. These included the AMDM, the Mexican Association of Surface Finishers (AMAS), the Association for Iron and Steel Technology (AIST), and the Mexican Women Leaders in Transportation Forum (MLA). Upcoming events include TECMA, MLA, SFM 2025, Expoacero, and ExpoMac.

“All the economic resources generated from our events are reinvested in the industry through our courses and scholarships for students interested in metallurgy,” says Mirna Molina, Director, AIST’s Mexico chapter. The organization focuses on preparing students for the steel industry through training and introducing new technologies. She also described the group as “volunteers with steel wills,” committed to improving steel production both in Mexico and globally.

Ruth Rodríguez, General Director, AMAS, reports receiving one to three new projects daily through the association, spanning not only the automotive sector but also renewable energy. “This has allowed us to consolidate as an international reference and create national and international alliances,” says Rodríguez. AMAS also works with the Nuevo Leon research center to develop new materials and chemical pre-treatment solutions that consider sustainability and worker health.

Arlet Casco, Founder and CEO, Mexican Women Leaders in Transportation Forum, says that the sector contributed 7.4% to Mexico’s GDP at, employing nearly 2.85 million people, with women accounting for 11% of the workforce. The forum aims to support women in transportation, challenge gender stereotypes, and recognize female talent through the MLA awards in categories like transport operators, professionals, and logistics.

These developments reflect ongoing efforts across multiple sectors to drive growth through investment, technology, workforce training, and inclusion. As Mexico continues to strengthen its industrial base, coordinated efforts by these organizations and their upcoming events will play a critical role in sustaining momentum.

These organizations have formed a unique alliance aimed at driving development, representation, and visibility across Mexico’s key industrial sectors. Through high-impact events, shared strategic vision, and cross-sector collaboration spanning steel, machinery, surface finishing, and transportation, this partnership seeks to strengthen the country’s industrial competitiveness on both national and global levels.