Introduction
Querétaro, Qro. The reconfiguration of global supply chains presents opportunities for Mexico to become a hub for molds and dies, serving both North America and Latin America, according to Gabriel Padilla Maya, Director General of the Mexican National Industry of Auto Parts (INA).
Current State and Importance
Mexico currently relies on imports for molds and dies, making the expansion of this sector crucial. This growth would lead to the creation of thousands of specialized jobs and added regional value, Padilla Maya explained.
“Every new investment announcement by Tier 1 companies and automakers requires new molds, dies, and new suppliers. If we capitalize on this moment, Mexico can become a hub for molds and dies, not just for strengthening integration with North America but also as a significant market for Latin America,” he stated.
Meximold 2025 and INA’s Vision
During the inauguration of Meximold 2025, Padilla Maya emphasized that the sixth edition of the event should mark the beginning of Mexico transitioning from a chronic importer to a strategic global producer of molds and dies.
“The future of Mexico’s industry is being shaped, and today, the future of Querétaro’s manufacturing industry is being molded… Every die made in Mexico brings us closer to technological independence,” he declared.
Industrial Transformation and Key Aspects
Padilla Maya outlined three key aspects driving Mexico’s deep industrial transformation: the transition to electromobility, reconfiguration of supply chains (driven by nearshoring), and the upcoming review of the Mexico-United States-Canada Agreement (T-MEC). The latter will test the industry’s ability to integrate more regional content.
The Mexican automotive parts industry generates nearly $121 billion annually, providing 880,000 direct jobs and positioning Mexico as the world’s fourth-largest producer. However, behind every exported vehicle or part lies a foundation of engineering – molds, dies, and tooling – essential for production, innovation, and competitiveness.
“Without them, there is no production, no innovation, and no competitiveness. Electromobility is transforming not only the cars we produce but also how we produce them, as electric vehicles demand new materials like aluminum, polymers, and advanced steels… Each lighter, more efficient component requires a more sophisticated mold,” Padilla Maya explained.
Current Market and Challenges
Mexico’s annual consumption of molds and dies ranges from $5 billion to $6 billion, but most are imported. Moreover, Mexico is the second-largest global importer of injection molds and dies.
Regarding the upcoming T-MEC review in 2026, Padilla Maya warned that continued reliance on imported molds could pressure the regional content value score, increasing key automotive industry export costs.
Actionable Steps
INA identifies four key areas to boost the Mexican mold industry:
- Import substitution, requiring $7 billion to $9 billion in investments over the next 5 to 10 years for each mold-making workshop’s equipment needs.
- Addressing skilled labor shortages and enhancing industry linkage for heavy and light vehicles.
- Local contracts enabling national workshops to become direct suppliers for Tier 2 and Tier 3 companies.
Jorge Ayala, President of the Mexican Association of Dies and Mold Manufacturing (AMMMT), emphasized that Mexico imports over 90% of its molds and dies. The country’s status as a major buyer reflects the opportunity to bolster design and production capabilities.
“This is a significant opportunity for sales but also an opportunity to produce, design, and establish mold and die industries in Mexico through talent development and both local and foreign investments targeting this market,” Ayala stated.
In this context, Querétaro hosts Meximold 2025, expecting 3,000 attendees at the Convention Center on October 22-23. The event focuses on mold, tooling, and high-precision manufacturing solutions.
