UPS Joins “Hecho en México” to Boost SME Global Expansion

UPS is participating in the Hecho en México (Made in Mexico) program, a national branding initiative led by Mexico’s Ministry of Economy aimed at promoting Mexican-made products. Through this collaboration, UPS will roll out a dedicated campaign across its national network of UPS Shipping Centers to highlight and promote local products bearing the Hecho en México mark. 

According to Mexico’s National Customs Association (ANAM), SMEs represent 52% of the national income and employ 27 million people, about 68.4% of the country’s workforce. However, they account for just 7.6% of manufacturing exports, largely due to lack of access to information, financing, and logistics. Mexico has over 4.7 million SMEs operating in commerce, services, and manufacturing, employing nearly seven out of every 10 Mexicans. Despite this, most never break beyond the domestic market, says the Ministry of Economy.

UPS held its first-ever “PyMEs Sin Fronteras” Bazaar in Mexico, an event designed to support the global expansion of Mexican SMEs. This dynamic space blended training, networking, and product showcases to connect entrepreneurs with essential tools, strategic allies, and international market opportunities.

“We are proud to be one of the first companies to join this powerful initiative, which reinforces our long-term commitment to Mexico and our mission to help SMEs expand internationally through our extensive domestic and global network,” says Francisco Ricaurte, President, UPS Latin America.

This initiative is the latest in a series of UPS programs, launched since 2018, to empower SMEs worldwide. Recognizing SMEs as engines of economic growth, innovation, and employment, UPS has supported over 110,000 businesses globally — including 20,000 in Mexico — through training in logistics, digitalization, international market access, and export readiness.

“The Ministry of Economy supports companies with the “Hecho en México” label by giving them access to trade fairs, training, financing through Nafin and Bancomext, and opportunities to sell in supermarkets and department stores. We celebrate initiatives like this, which enable our SMEs to grow, innovate, and compete internationally. Public-private collaboration is essential to strengthen their capabilities and accelerate their global integration,” says Bárbara Botello, Head, Hecho en México National Brand Initiative.

The “PyMEs Sin Fronteras” Bazaar brought together key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Economy, Mexico’s embassies in Canada and the United States, and numerous entrepreneurs. The event provided SMEs with strategic guidance, direct access to global value chains, and visibility in markets like Canada, while also equipping them with logistical solutions to compete in the digital economy.

“MSMEs are truly the engine of our economy, as they generate nearly 70% of investment and contribute more than half of Mexico's gross domestic product. That is why I say they are the driving force behind our economy,” says Esteban Moctezuma, Ambassador of Mexico to the United States.

Entrepreneurs at the event participated in specialized training sessions focused on scaling their products to international markets such as Canada and the European Union. These workshops offered practical export strategies and optimized logistics approaches to help SMEs sustainably grow and scale their global presence. 

“Today, Mexican SMEs must project their talent and innovation globally. Exporting requires strategy, preparation, and vision — but initiatives like this are about changing the belief that internationalization is out of reach,” says Carlos González, Mexico’s Ambassador to Canada.

The event comes at a time of rapid growth in foreign trade and e-commerce in Mexico. According to the AMVO’s 2025 Online Sales Study, the country’s retail e-commerce reached MX$789.7 billion in 2024, a 20% increase from the previous year. With over 60% global penetration among buyers, digital commerce provides a crucial gateway for SMEs to digitize, export, and extend their reach.

“SMEs are Mexico’s economic engine. At UPS, we know that for them to grow and compete, they need more than a shipping service, they need a strategic partner who understands their challenges and delivers customized solutions,” says Rosalva Rivera, Marketing Director, UPS Latin America.

Latin American SMEs face broader structural challenges limiting their growth and internationalization. According to the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), while over 99% of companies in the region are SMEs, they only account for about 5% of export value, compared to 40% in the European Union. The gap highlights a pressing need for greater support, visibility, and integration into international trade networks.

To address these gaps, Mexico’s government launched Plan México, which aims to integrate SMEs into global supply chains and increase local content in key industries like automotive, aerospace, electronics, and pharmaceuticals. A goal of the program is to provide financing access to 30% of SMEs through partnerships between development and commercial banks.