Sonora Investment Guide

Sonora Investment Background

Sonora is one of the primary states where the maquiladora industry is located, receiving over $256 million of foreign direct investment in 2006. Sonora has a total of 213 maquiladora factories. The aerospace sector is one of the most important economic clusters for Sonora, with automotive and electronics also playing an important role. The state has 15 industrial parks and 39 universities.

Investment Incentives

Type Incentive Description
Federal Reduction of payroll taxes
Federal Fiscal incentives for research and development
State Exemption from the 2% payroll taxes for a given number of years
State Training Programs
State Possible infrastructure improvements depending on project
State Free use of fully equipped office space during startup period
For more information on investment incentives view the Sonora incentives tab

Sonora Average Wage and Salary Information (2008)

The average wage information for a direct employee in a "Maquiladora" in Sonora will fall within the range of $2.00 to $3.00 an hour. Calculating the exact fully loaded cost of a direct employee on an hourly basis involves a complicated formula composed of a daily base salary, paid Sundays, mandatory bonuses, market based compensation schemes (busing, food tickets, etc.) and taxation. UnderstandMexico has prepared an example wage formula to help investors project the cost of investing in Mexico. For more specific data, contact the maquila association or investment promotion agency of the relevant municipality and ask for their wage survey.

Cities and Related Investment Information -
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City Information
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  • Labor - The fully loaded average hourly rate for a new unskilled employee in USD
  • Population - data is taken from the 2005 census
  • Airport - If a comerical airport exists in the city
  • Toll Road - If there is toll road access to the city
  • Sea port - If there is a sea port with 50km of the city
  • Ind. Park - The number of industrial parks within the city
  • Contact - The website for the city's investment promotion agency
CityPopulationAirportToll RoadSea PortIndustrial Parks
Ciudad Obregón432,992No
Guaymas101,507YesYesYes2
Hermosillo641,791YesYesNo4
Navojoa103,312YesYesNo2
Nogales189,759YesYesNo
San Luis Rio Colorado138,796No

Investment incentives for each state will be administered by the state's investment promotion agency. This is a government agency (or non profit organization) whose goal is to encourage investment in the region. At no cost, they will provide guidance on how best to approach setting up a maquiladora in the region including tours, site visits and of course any state related investment incentives.

Investment Promotion Agencies
AgencyShort DescriptionLink
BancomextThe Federal Investment Agency for MexicoView
COPRESONEconomic Development Council for SonoraView
Maquila Association
Association Short Description Link
There are currently no Maquila assocations for this region in the Understand Mexico database.

A maquila association is a city's local manufacturers association. They can be a good source of information on average wages, turnover rates or other positives or negatives of investing in the location.

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Shelter Companies -
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Shelter Companies
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A shelter company is a vehicle by which a foreign company can quickly setup operations in Mexico so long as those operations are for the purpose of export. A shelter service company will hire employees, do pass through invoicing, manage permitting and more on the foreign companies behalf. The foreign company then manages the operations side of the company. For this service, most shelter service companies charge a fee per direct labor hour

ShelterShort DescriptionLink
Amistad Industrial DevelopersReal Estate, Construction and Manufacturing in MexicoView
International Assemblers, Inc.We have been providing shelter programs and labor value-added subcontracting in Mexico since 1980.View
The Offshore GroupYou Manufacture, We Do the RestView
CollectronShelter Services in NogalesView
JavidShelter Services in NogalesView
AtronixNogales based contract manufacturerView
Mo MexMEXICAN MANUFACTURING AND ASSEMBLY FOR AMERICAN MANUFACTURERSView
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Buildings for Lease/Sale
Building Short Description Link
There are currently no available buildings for this state in the Understand Mexico database.
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Real Estate Developers
Real EstateShort DescriptionLink
Verde Corporate Realty ServicesCorporate Facility Solutions for the U.S. - Mexico Border RegionView
IntermexOver 30 years providing services to more than 150 global companiesView
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Consultants
ConsultantsShort DescriptionLink
TriVista Business Group Inc.Project Planning & Manufacturing Relocation SpecialistsView
Consorcio AmbientalEnsuring Environmental Compliance to Industry in Baja CaliforniaView
Understand Mexico ConsultingPlanning, implementing and follow through on Maquila projectsView
North American Production SharingStart Up and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) in MexicoView
Everest GroupTurnkey solutions for successful manufacturing in MexicoView
DinamekAutomotive Industry Consulting AgencyView
Integra Realty Resources de MéxicoProviding Valuation Services throughout México to Industrial, Commercial, Hospitalty, Tourism and Residential sectors.View
AGIM CorporationIndustrial Real Estate Brokerage & Consulting Firm providing Shelter & Relocation ServicesView
Mexico Consulting GroupOur partners have assisted U.S. business and manufacturing development in Mexico since 1968. View
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Law Firms
Shelter Short Description Link
There are currently no law firms for this state in the Understand Mexico database.
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Financial Services
Shelter Short Description Link
There are currently no financial services companies for this state in the Understand Mexico database.

This category includes NAFTA experienced shipping and customs companies to help with the import and export process necessary for manufacturing in Mexico. Our NAFTA guide may be a useful resource in helping to select a suitable logistics company.

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Shipping Companies
Shipping CompanyShort DescriptionLink
The ILS CompanyInternational Logistics SolutionsView
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Miscellaneous Service Companies
Real EstateShort DescriptionLink
SolutionsAbroad.comSolutions Abroad is a web site designed to help people moving to MexicoView
Integra Realty Resources de MexicoProviding Valuation Services throughout México to Industrial, Commercial, Hospitalty, Tourism and Residential sectors.View