mayo 16, 2023 - by Redacción Comercio, Cuarta Revolución Industrial, Economía, Geopolítica

Operación Estratégica.

In recent years, the term «Industry 4.0» has become increasingly popular in discussions about the future of manufacturing. This concept refers to the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to create more efficient, flexible, and productive manufacturing processes. As the world becomes more connected and the pace of technological change accelerates, the importance of Industry 4.0 and advanced manufacturing cannot be overstated.

One of the key advantages of Industry 4.0, also known as advanced manufacturing, is the ability to improve efficiency and productivity in manufacturing. With advanced technologies, manufacturers can automate many processes and reduce the need for manual labor, which not only reduces costs but also helps improve the quality and consistency of products, leading to significant improvements and increased customer satisfaction.

Another important benefit is flexibility in the production line. With advanced technologies, manufacturers can quickly adapt to changing market conditions, customer demands, and production requirements, allowing them to produce a wide range of products more quickly and accurately, which can help improve the competitiveness and profitability of companies.

One of the most significant regional players in Industry 4.0 is of course China, which has established itself as the world’s factory. As the world’s largest manufacturing economy, China has made significant investments in advanced technologies and has become a leader in areas such as robotics, 3D printing, 5G networks for industrial use that enable IoT devices and aided by AI. Chinese companies are also expanding their presence in global markets, with many of them playing major roles in industries such as electronics, automotive, aerospace, and telecommunications.

Another important region is Europe, particularly Germany, which has long been the leading country in manufacturing industries and where the concept of Industry 4.0 originated. German companies have been at the forefront of the development and implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies, and the country is home to many leading manufacturers in industries such as automotive, machinery, and electronics.

The United States is also an important player, particularly in areas such as aerospace, defense, and electronics. US companies have heavily invested in advanced technologies such as robotics, AI, and IoT, and many of them are implementing these technologies in their manufacturing processes. An undeniable reality now is the process of reindustrialization within the US, with the strategic and national security objective of not losing technological competition with rivals such as China and even the European regional pole.

But what about Mexico? As a center for conventional and advanced manufacturing for North America, Mexico has made progress in adopting the technologies required by Industry 4.0. Many of the world’s leading manufacturers have operations in Mexico, especially in industries such as automotive, electronics, aerospace, and medical instruments, which has favored the fact that given its location in the country, Mexican talent is increasingly immersed and specialized in new technologies such as robotics and IoT to improve efficiency, quality, and flexibility.

One of Mexico’s main advantages as a manufacturing location is its proximity to the United States. With the implementation of the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), manufacturers located in Mexico have even greater access to the North American market, with better trade and tariff advantages. It is also important to note that many US companies have already established operations in Mexico to take advantage of this proximity, and this trend is likely to continue in the future due to the process of nearshoring and the reconfiguration of value chains in regions closer to the markets where goods are consumed (ally-shoring).

In terms of specific industries, Mexico is particularly strong in the automotive manufacturing sector, as most of the world’s major automobile manufacturers have operations in Mexico, including companies such as General Motors, Ford, and Volkswagen, with an increasing number of manufacturers from Asia. Mexico is also a significant producer of electronics, especially in the telecommunications equipment area. The aerospace industry is another growing industry in Mexico, with companies like Bombardier and Airbus expanding their operations in the country.

Therefore, what is expected for Mexico’s manufacturing industry in the future, with the growing adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, is that Mexican and especially foreign manufacturers will be well positioned to continue competing on a global scale. Additionally, Mexico’s strategic location and access to the North American market make it an attractive and strategic location for manufacturers seeking to establish operations in the region.

However, there are also challenges that need to be addressed. One of the key issues facing manufacturing companies in Mexico is the need to develop a skilled workforce capable of operating and maintaining advanced technologies. This will require significant investments in education and training programs, as well as closer and more fruitful collaboration between industry and federal and local governments to ensure that the necessary skills are being developed. This has been a challenge and an activity that has been carried out for several years in the country’s major industrial regions, but it will require the consolidation and creation of new strategic alliances for the creation and management of specialized talent.

Another challenge is the need for greater investment in infrastructure, especially in areas such as transportation, energy, and telecommunications. Improvements in these areas can help reduce costs and improve efficiency, making Mexico even more attractive as a manufacturing location. These will be the main obstacles to effectively and deeply take advantage of the nearshoring process that has opened up as a limited-time opportunity window.

In conclusion, the importance of Industry 4.0 and advanced manufacturing cannot be overstated, and Mexico is well positioned to take advantage of these trends and technologies that will benefit the country’s national development. With its strong manufacturing base, strategic location, and access to the North American market, Mexico has the potential to become a major player in the global manufacturing industry by leveraging regionalization processes of value and supply chains. However, to fully realize this potential, manufacturers and especially the Mexican government must increase the articulation of efforts to continue investing in advanced technologies, develop the necessary skills and infrastructure to compete on a global scale, taking advantage of the newly inaugurated era of North America in a context of no longer so new industrial and technological revolution.

Operational level: I recommend consulting the i4.0 Roadmap called «Crafting the Future: A Roadmap for Industry 4.0 in Mexico» that was developed during the previous federal administration by the Ministry of Economy. It is available to the public at https://www.gob.mx/epn/es/articulos/mapa-de-ruta-i4-0.

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