Index Marks 50 Years as Sonora Manufacturing Hub

Summary: INDEX Nogales’ 50th anniversary underscores the evolution of Mexico’s export manufacturing sector from labor-intensive maquiladoras to advanced industries supported by collaboration among manufacturers, government and academia. The article highlights Nogales’ strategic role in North American supply chains, workforce development initiatives and customs digitalization efforts, illustrating how talent, technology and institutional cooperation are strengthening Mexico’s long-term manufacturing competitiveness. 

Nogales continues to strengthen its position as one of Mexico’s key export manufacturing centers as INDEX Nogales celebrates its 50th anniversary, highlighting five decades of collaboration among industry, government, academia and the community. 

The milestone reflects the organization’s evolution from an industry association focused on operational needs into a strategic institution that supports investment, workforce development and regional competitiveness.

Today, INDEX Nogales represents more than 106 manufacturing companies that generate over 48,000 direct jobs, making it one of the main industrial organizations along the US-Mexico border. According to Daniel Rivera, President of INDEX Nogales, the organization’s long-term success has been built on cooperation across the public and private sectors, helping establish a business environment that continues to attract export-oriented investment.

“Our city’s growth has gone hand in hand with the growth of INDEX and our entire industry. Our permanent mission is to serve as the bridge between industry, government, academia and the community,” Rivera said.

Before reaching its current role, the organization underwent a transformation that mirrors the broader evolution of Mexico’s manufacturing sector. 

From Industry Association to Strategic Partner

Originally established as the Sonora Maquiladora Association, INDEX Nogales was created to address the operational needs of export manufacturers operating in the border region. Over the past five decades, however, its role has expanded beyond representing manufacturers to providing strategic support for business development, talent formation and collaboration with public institutions.

The organization now works to strengthen the region’s business environment by promoting workforce training, institutional partnerships and greater certainty for manufacturers operating in Sonora. This collaborative model has contributed to building an ecosystem that facilitates new investment while reinforcing the competitiveness of existing operations.

Rivera said the organization’s approach has been instrumental in creating long-term confidence among companies considering expansion or new projects in the region.

Nogales’ industrial growth has also been supported by structural advantages that continue to position the city as a strategic manufacturing location within North America. 

Border Location Supports Regional Competitiveness

Rivera identified Nogales’ geographic position as one of its principal competitive advantages. Located directly on the US-Mexico border, the city allows manufacturers to integrate closely with US supply chains and reduce logistics times.

Raw materials can cross into Mexico, be transformed within manufacturing facilities in Nogales and return to the United States within hours, enabling efficient production cycles for export-oriented industries.

This logistical advantage is reinforced by five decades of experience in export manufacturing, a specialized workforce and close collaboration among manufacturers, educational institutions and government agencies.

“The combination of strategic location, manufacturing experience and institutional collaboration has been a formula that differentiates us and continues attracting investment,” Rivera said.

As manufacturing processes become more sophisticated, however, maintaining competitiveness increasingly depends on workforce capabilities and access to advanced technical skills. 

Advanced Industries Drive Talent Development

The industrial profile of Nogales has evolved alongside global manufacturing trends. While export manufacturing remains the foundation of the local economy, higher-value industries such as medical devices, aerospace and electronics now represent some of the city’s fastest-growing sectors.

These industries require increasingly specialized production processes and employees with stronger technical capabilities, prompting Index Nogales to expand its workforce development strategy.

The organization works directly with local high schools by providing robotics equipment to introduce students to technical skills at an early stage. It also supports university scholarship programs designed to prepare students for careers involving advanced technologies and rapidly evolving manufacturing processes.

“The industry demands increasingly specialized profiles. We need young people prepared to adapt to new technologies and respond to increasingly complex processes,” Rivera said.

While Sonora reinforces its manufacturing ecosystem through workforce development, Mexico’s export manufacturing sector is also working to modernize the systems that support international trade. 

INDEX Supports Digital Customs Modernization

In Tamaulipas, INDEX Nuevo Laredo is collaborating with Mexico’s National Customs Agency (ANAM) and the Laredo Chapter of COMCE Noreste to support the implementation of the Electronic Value Declaration (Manifestación de Valor Electrónica, MVE), a platform designed to modernize customs operations and improve foreign trade efficiency.

The working session brought together federal authorities, export manufacturers and business organizations to review implementation progress, identify operational challenges and define procedures for an orderly transition to the digital platform, reported MBN. 

The MVE is expected to improve traceability, increase transparency and enhance efficiency in import and export operations while advancing Mexico’s broader customs digitalization strategy.

As authorities prepare for implementation, manufacturers are emphasizing the importance of balancing modernization with operational continuity. 

Manufacturers Seek Gradual Digital Transition

During the discussions, Enrique Morán, president of INDEX Nuevo Laredo, said the Electronic Value Declaration should be introduced through a phased implementation supported by technical assistance and clearly defined operational criteria. He said companies operating under the IMMEX program require legal and operational certainty during the transition.

Morán reiterated the export manufacturing sector’s commitment to complying with customs regulations while supporting the federal government’s modernization efforts. He added that ongoing communication between public authorities and private industry will be essential to the platform’s successful implementation.

The meeting was led by ANAM Director General Héctor Alonso Romero, accompanied by officials responsible for customs modernization, infrastructure, investigations, operations and information technology. Representatives from COMCE Noreste and foreign trade specialists also participated.

Among the main announcements, ANAM confirmed plans to triple the capacity of its technological servers to improve platform stability during the rollout and reduce the risk of disruptions to import and export operations. Federal customs officials also committed to maintaining close coordination with industry and making technical adjustments when necessary to support a smooth transition.