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One World, One Industry: Opening New Opportunities in Mexico

IPC and WHMA have long supported the electronics assembly and wire harness manufacturing industries in Mexico, but recent regional growth coupled with supply chain disruptions necessitated a closer relationship. Lorena Villanueva, the new director of IPC Mexico, will be based in Mexico City and her presence will help IPC provide better support, training, and engagement with Mexico-based companies and personnel.

Lorena has more than 15 years of experience in client relationship management, strategic planning, and project management for companies such as Genpact, GMAC, American Express, GE, and Lucent Technologies. She is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt and holds a master’s degree in economics. 

Lorena and I have reviewed each of the 130+ IPC and WHMA members operating 315 manufacturing facilities in Mexico. More than 4,000 IPC certifications have been earned by workers in Mexico, facilitated through our partner certification centers in 12 locations throughout Mexico. The National Statistical Directory of Economic Units (DENUE) in Mexico estimates there are 481 electronics manufacturing sites in Mexico and IPC strives to play a role in each one, including the facilities not yet built. 

The impact of global events on supply chains has opened more opportunities in Mexico. OEMs are expanding the number of suppliers they use, and Mexico has proven it can produce assemblies for verticals like automotive, medical devices, aerospace, and communication equipment. 

As shifting supply chains move to Mexico, the industry needs more trained workers. IPC has always offered IPC standards and certification exams in Spanish, but in 2021 we launched two operator training courses in Spanish to help meet this need. Lorena and I discussed IPC’s commitment to supporting and growing our Spanish-speaking membership. When she accepted the position, she told me that IPC creating education courses in Spanish was a deciding factor. 

Another exciting event is scheduled for September 27–29. IPC and WHMA are producing the M-EXPO Wire Processing Technology show in Ciudad Juarez just across the border from El Paso, Texas. Leading companies in the wire and cable harness assembly industry are exhibiting and we are working to build a series of educational workshops like those at our upcoming Electrical Wire Processing Technology Expo (EWPTE) show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. IPC/WHMA is also providing an instructor-led training session for wire harness operators to help local facilities train effectively. IPC and WHMA are proud to produce M-EXPO and believe it is important for the industry to hold these shows in the regions where the work takes place.   

The executive teams at IPC and WHMA are thrilled to have Lorena join our team. Her commitment to excellence has been illustrated throughout her career and we cannot wait to see her success with IPC/WHMA. If you have operations in Mexico or anywhere in Latin America, feel free to reach out directly to LorenaVillanueva@ipc.org and start the conversation in English or Spanish. 

For additional information, visit mexico.ipc.org, or email us at mexico@ipc.org. 

David Hernandez is vice president, IPC Education and a guest columnist for this month.

This column originally appeared in the June 2022 issue of PCB007 Magazine.