# The Success of Mexico's Manufacturing Industries Amidst Geopolitical Shifts with Ivan Romo of SMarTsol

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2023-10-04
- Length: 16m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-04-the-success-of-mexicos-manufacturing-industries-amidst-geopolitical-shifts-with

## Summary

Ivan Romo, founder of SMarTsol, discusses how geopolitical shifts and reshoring are driving manufacturing investment into Mexican states like Chihuahua, Nuevo León, and Jalisco, with a specific focus on the automotive and EV sectors. He explains that while labor costs have risen, a demographic bulge of young workers and heavy investment in automation and digital transformation mitigate talent shortages. Romo highlights SMarTsol’s strategic shift from simple distribution to providing integrated solutions, supported by significant inventory investment and a new demo room in El Paso to serve US clients.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-04-the-success-of-mexicos-manufacturing-industries-amidst-geopolitical-shifts-with#t=8) Introduction: Ivan Romo and SMarTsol
- [1:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-04-the-success-of-mexicos-manufacturing-industries-amidst-geopolitical-shifts-with#t=73) Investment Regions in Mexico: Chihuahua, Nuevo León, Jalisco
- [2:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-04-the-success-of-mexicos-manufacturing-industries-amidst-geopolitical-shifts-with#t=123) EV and Automotive Investment Clusters: Monterrey and Bajío
- [3:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-04-the-success-of-mexicos-manufacturing-industries-amidst-geopolitical-shifts-with#t=212) Talent Availability, Wage Costs, and Exchange Rates
- [5:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-04-the-success-of-mexicos-manufacturing-industries-amidst-geopolitical-shifts-with#t=351) Automation Integrators and Torchless Assembly Lines
- [7:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-04-the-success-of-mexicos-manufacturing-industries-amidst-geopolitical-shifts-with#t=444) Digital Transformation and Real-Time Management
- [10:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-04-the-success-of-mexicos-manufacturing-industries-amidst-geopolitical-shifts-with#t=633) SMarTsol’s Solution-Based Model and Customer Relationships
- [12:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-04-the-success-of-mexicos-manufacturing-industries-amidst-geopolitical-shifts-with#t=753) Inventory Investment and Logistics Efficiency
- [14:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-10-04-the-success-of-mexicos-manufacturing-industries-amidst-geopolitical-shifts-with#t=851) El Paso Demo Room and US Market Expansion

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Logistics & fulfilment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/logistics-and-fulfillment)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- SMarTsol (company)
- Koh Young (company)
- Global Electronics Association (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ally shoring: Expanding manufacturing operations into Mexico](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-11-15-ally-shoring-expanding-manufacturing-operations-into-mexico) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Ep. 15: Can Mexico Become Robotics’ Next Powerhouse? | The Robo Success Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robo-success-podcast/2026-08-25-ep-15-can-mexico-become-robotics-next-powerhouse-the-robo-success-podcast) (The Robo Success Podcast)
- [Nearshoring Manufacturing from Asia to Mexico: Risks, Rewards, and Realities w/ Matt Hannula](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-10-07-nearshoring-manufacturing-from-asia-to-mexico-risks-rewards-and-realities-w-matt) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Change How American Manufacturing’s Perceived In Our Nation w/ Terry Iverson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-09-26-change-how-american-manufacturings-perceived-in-our-nation-w-terry-iverson) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Smarter Manufacturing in an Evolving Ecosystem w/ Chris Lupfer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-02-04-smarter-manufacturing-in-an-evolving-ecosystem-w-chris-lupfer) (The Manufacturing Executive)

## Citing this page

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