Jalisco Accelerates Industrial Park Expansion

Summary: Jalisco is undergoing its largest industrial park expansion, combining new manufacturing and logistics capacity with permitting reforms that aim to cut development approval times from 700 to 200 days. The strategy, aligned with Plan México and focused on attracting Tier 2 suppliers, seeks to deepen local supply chains, increase domestic content and strengthen Jalisco’s position as a nearshoring hub for technology-intensive manufacturing. 

Jalisco is experiencing its largest expansion of industrial parks in its history as the state seeks to broaden manufacturing and logistics activity, attract technology-intensive projects and strengthen local supply chains, according to the Association of Industrial Parks of the State of Jalisco (APIEJ).

The expansion follows a sharp increase in demand for industrial space since 2020. Bruno Martínez, outgoing President of APIEJ, said the Jalisco market absorbed about 200,000 m2 of industrial space annually at that time. The state is now competing for larger and more specialized projects as companies continue to reorganize supply chains and seek manufacturing locations in Mexico.

Jalisco's industrial strategy is supported by its connections to the Port of Manzanillo, the Bajío manufacturing region, Mexico City and rail corridors serving northern Mexico. The state also benefits from Guadalajara's international airport and an established technology and manufacturing base that includes companies such as Flex, Foxconn, Sanmina and Jabil.

According to Martínez, this industrial ecosystem has helped position Jalisco as a technology and manufacturing center in Latin America. The state's objective is now to use that platform to attract additional suppliers and increase the local content and productivity generated by industrial investment. 

Jalisco Cuts Industrial Park Approval Times

The expansion of industrial infrastructure is being accompanied by efforts to reduce the administrative time required to develop new parks. APIEJ's recent work with municipal governments has focused on standardizing procedures for industrial developments across nine municipalities.

The initiative covers Tlajomulco, Zapopan, Tala, Tonalá, Zapotlanejo, Juanacatlán, Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos, Villa Corona and Zapotlán. Launched in April, the program seeks to reduce the time required to authorize and establish an industrial development from about 700 days to 200 days.

APIEJ is also working to add two more municipalities to the initiative, including El Salto, one of Jalisco's main industrial corridors and a location for technology companies.

The reduction in approval times is intended to improve Jalisco's position as companies evaluate locations for projects linked to the relocation of supply chains. Martínez said industrial infrastructure alone is not enough to attract investment and that companies also require administrative processes that allow projects to move forward within competitive time frames.

The effort comes as industrial developers across Mexico respond to growing demand for manufacturing and logistics space. Under Plan México, the federal government has established a target of developing 100 industrial parks to expand productive infrastructure and support investment. 

Industrial Developers Support Plan México

Jalisco's expansion is taking place within a broader national push to increase industrial capacity. Developers affiliated with the Mexican Association of Private Industrial Parks (AMPIP) have already brought the first 20 industrial parks associated with Plan México's 100-park target into operation.

The projects represent more than US$711 million in investment and add 3.5 m2 of industrial capacity across 10 states. The parks could accommodate about 245 manufacturing and logistics companies and generate an estimated 62,000 direct jobs, reported MBN. 

Altagracia Gómez, coordinator of the Regional Economic Development and Relocation Advisory Council (CADERR), presented the milestone during AMPIP's first 2026 General Assembly, where 15 industrial real estate developers were recognized for completing the first 20 parks.

The projects are located in strategic manufacturing markets, including Nuevo León, Baja California, Chihuahua, Jalisco and Mexico City. Their operations are expected to support sectors such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, medical devices and logistics.

AMPIP considers the parks operational because each has at least one tenant working on-site. This provides immediate capacity for companies seeking industrial space while creating opportunities for additional tenants and future expansion. 

Jalisco Targets Tier 2 Suppliers

For Jalisco, the next phase of industrial development involves expanding the state's supplier base rather than focusing only on attracting new manufacturing plants.

APIEJ is working with state authorities to organize commercial missions to Asia, North America and Europe. The objective is to present Jalisco's industrial capabilities to potential investors while identifying second-tier suppliers that could establish operations near companies already operating in the state.

The strategy is designed to increase productive integration between manufacturers and suppliers. It also seeks to generate technology transfer, develop local capabilities and increase the share of inputs sourced within Mexico.

Martínez said “the objective of these missions is not only to attract new companies but also to identify second-tier suppliers for existing operations. The approach reflects a broader view of nearshoring in which investment is expected to generate local productivity rather than simply add individual manufacturing facilities.”

This focus could be relevant as companies established in Jalisco seek to strengthen their supply chains and reduce logistics risks. Bringing suppliers closer to manufacturers can also support shorter lead times and greater integration between international and domestic companies. 

Infrastructure Becomes Key to Industrial Competitiveness

The expansion of Jalisco's industrial park network highlights the importance of infrastructure, permitting and supply-chain integration in Mexico's competition for manufacturing investment.

The state's access to Manzanillo provides a connection to Asian trade flows, while its proximity to the Bajío and Mexico City and its rail links to northern Mexico provide additional logistics options. Combined with an established technology and manufacturing base, these factors are being used to position Jalisco for projects requiring industrial space and access to suppliers.

At the national level, the first 20 Plan México industrial parks indicate the scale of private-sector participation in Mexico's industrial policy. The projects demonstrate how public-sector coordination and private investment are being combined to expand the infrastructure available to manufacturers and logistics operators.