Meximold 2025: Boosting Mexico’s Moldmaking Industry

The sixth edition of Meximold 2025, to be held on Oct. 23 and 24 in Queretaro, aims to boost Mexico’s moldmaking sector amid rising demand for locally produced tooling. Meximold has become a vital platform showcasing Mexico’s mold design and manufacturing expertise to a global audience. Industry leaders at a recent press conference highlight moldmaking’s crucial role in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, medical devices, and consumer electronics.

Moldmaking is “the mother of all manufacturing,” says Eduardo Tovar, Editorial Director, Modern Machine Shop Mexico.

Three major trends are shaping Mexico’s automotive sector, directly affecting moldmaking, says Gabriel Padilla, General Director, National Auto Parts Industry Association (INA). The first is the shift toward advanced manufacturing using high-strength steels, aluminum alloys, and reinforced plastics, which demands specialized molds and dies. Second, rapid growth in electromobility fuels the need for precision tooling for lighter, safer parts. Third, nearshoring and resilient supply chains, accounting for 37% of foreign auto sector investment, offer opportunities to localize mold production amid USMCA trade reviews.

However, most Mexican moldmakers are SMEs lacking the scale to compete internationally, says Jorge Ayala, Director, Evolución en Moldes. “The main gap is that we are SMEs. We need to reach a more scalable, consistent size aligned with global supply demands,” he says. Ayala emphasizes three pillars for growth: technology adoption, nurturing emerging talent, and fostering industry collaboration. 

The Technological Imperative

Adopting advanced manufacturing technology is essential for survival and growth, says Eduardo Medrano, President, Makino Innovation in Manufacturing. He highlights three benefits from their adoption: higher productivity, faster lead times, and improved quality via data-driven decisions.

Most mold shops run only a single shift, leaving equipment idle much of the day. Medrano advocates for “lights-out” manufacturing — leaving machines running unattended overnight — enabled by monitoring, predictive maintenance, and connectivity. “We must do more with the same,” he says.

Many SMEs are investing in advanced machining, EDM, and grinding equipment equipped with sensors supporting Industry 4.0 practices, enabling real-time monitoring and better resource use for higher precision. Medrano also notes AI’s growing role in quoting and production decisions, calling its implementation “an obligation, not a choice.”

Navigating Trade and Investment Dynamics

INA is working with the World Bank to train SMEs, but challenges in financing and aligning education with industry remain. “Increasing local content depends on equipment and better alignment of education with real industry needs,” says Padilla.

While Mexican shops do not yet produce large volumes of new molds, they excel at maintaining complex imported molds, says Ayala. Mold complexity has increased, and local talent has adapted well. However, Mexico has a technological gap compared to China, Japan, and the United States, says Medrano. Mexico has 500–600 mold shops, but many lack full design capabilities. Medrano stresses the need to diversify beyond automotive into medical devices, aerospace, and orthopedics to build Mexico’s brands and tech base.

Tariffs and Trade Policy: A Game Changer

The proposed tariffs on Chinese mold exports included in the 2026 Budget Proposal could be “oxygen” for the industry, says Ayala. It is now less expensive to import finished molds or cavities than raw steel because of a 20% tax on steel imports, while molds largely enter duty-free, compounded by China’s significant export subsidies. This uneven playing field severely undermines the competitiveness of domestic manufacturers, he adds.

Padilla says that tariffs must be paired with alignment with the United States and Canada. The automotive sector relies on high-tech imports involving critical materials like rare earths and lithium. Carefully crafted tariffs and cooperation on rules of origin and industrial roles are vital to protect sectors without disrupting supply chains. 

A Call for Innovation and Cultural Change

Medrano urges entrepreneurs to invest in innovation rather than replication. “Japan and Brazil invest 3%–4% of sales in R&D, but in Mexico that often equals a company’s entire profit,” he adds.

Many Tier 1 suppliers, including Mexican-owned firms, are creating innovation centers focused on advanced CNC machining, metrology, and energy-efficient practices like mold recycling. Demand for CAD, 3D modeling, and new materials is growing. Expanding innovation beyond Tier 1 and 2 suppliers and leveraging talent and industrial parks could position Mexico as a high-tech moldmaking hub.

“This is an opportunity to build on capabilities we already have. There’s no need to reinvent; it is about putting the right pieces together,” says Padilla.