Background on Arturo Nava Guerrero and His Relevance
Arturo Nava Guerrero, the president of the Plastics Cluster in Querétaro, Mexico, is at the forefront of an initiative aimed at increasing local company certifications. His leadership is crucial as the plastic industry in Querétaro faces challenges and opportunities amidst shifting supply chains and regional integration strategies in North America.
Relocalization of Supply Chains and the Need for Certifications
With the relocalization of products from Asia to Mexico, companies are actively seeking local manufacturers as suppliers. This trend has highlighted the necessity for certifications among Querétaro’s plastic companies, as many supply chain requirements from the United States and Canada now include ISO certification.
ISO and IATF Certifications
To address this demand, the Plastics Cluster in Querétaro is working on an initiative to increase company certifications, specifically targeting ISO 9001:2015 and IATF (International Quality Management System standard for the automotive industry).
Supporting Small Businesses
Nava Guerrero emphasized the importance of helping small businesses overcome certification challenges, as these companies often lack specialized certifications like IATF. The cluster plans to offer guidance and support, along with strategies to reduce the costs associated with these regulatory processes.
Strengthening the Supply Chain
By implementing a certification plan, the plastic industry in Querétaro aims to bolster its supply chain and enhance opportunities for securing purchase contracts. Lack of proper certifications can be a deterrent for potential buyers, causing them to choose alternative suppliers.
Challenges for Small Businesses
- Most cluster members possess basic certifications but lack specialized ones like IATF.
- The industry is in a phase of developing suppliers, with cooperative business strategies to create components that eventually integrate into the regional supply chain.
Overcoming Obstacles
Nava Guerrero outlined a plan for parallel certification processes alongside incoming purchase requirements, ensuring that suppliers are ready to deliver products post-accreditation. This approach aims to bolster the competitiveness of Querétaro’s plastic industry amidst evolving market dynamics.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue? Small businesses in Querétaro’s plastic industry face challenges in obtaining necessary certifications, such as ISO and IATF, to meet growing supply chain requirements from North American buyers.
- Why is this important? Obtaining these certifications can increase a company’s competitiveness, improve quality systems, and provide stability to their business units.
- What is the cluster’s solution? The Plastics Cluster in Querétaro is offering guidance, support, and strategies to reduce certification costs for small businesses.
- What are the benefits of this initiative? The initiative aims to strengthen the plastic industry’s supply chain, increase contract opportunities, and help businesses overcome certification obstacles.
