How Do You Manage the Logistics for Manufacturing in Tijuana, Mexico?
Manufacturing products in Tijuana, Mexico, benefits U.S. companies in various ways. However, with a Tijuana-based facility handling your manufacturing processes, you might wonder how you’ll manage logistics.
The following guide will offer helpful advice on this topic. That said, choosing the right manufacturing partner is among the most effective ways to address logistics during the manufacturing process.
Managing Logistics When Manufacturing Products in Tijuana, Mexico: Tips to Keep in Mind
Various factors can influence your approach to logistics. Details such as volume of products you’re manufacturing and frequency of shipments can play a critical role in the process. Additionally, many Tijuana contract manufacturers actually manage the import/export process across the border so you likely will only be dealing with logistics in and out of San Diego, CA.
That said, certain general pieces of advice will typically always apply in these circumstances. Managing logistics for a manufacturing operation you’ve outsourced to Tijuana is easier when you keep the following tips in mind:
- Understand the options with your manufacturing partner: Many contract manufacturers will receive raw materials and deliver finished goods through their US (San Diego) location, which is typically a broker and/or warehouse site. This option is a great convenience because it allows you to avoid getting involved with international shipments, import/export & Customs issues. You effectively are getting domestic service while accessing international production support.
- Discuss plans thoroughly ahead of time: Discuss topics like how you’ll communicate with a manufacturing partner and who the primary points of contact are. Managing logistics is simplest when you address the topic from the start. Ask a potential partner how they will keep you up-to-date on the status of your project.
- Be communicative: Managing logistics requires doing your part in regard to communication. When sending a new shipment of materials, alert the facility with tracking information and/or packing lists. Doing so guards against delays.
- Determine your shipping options: There are various options when shipping products out of a manufacturing site in Mexico to other locations. While trucks are the primary modality, there are alternate options depending on urgency and final destination. Explore the benefits of each, and thoroughly vet your options ahead of time.
- Insurance: Manufacturing in Tijuana is very safe, partially because of how close Tijuana is to the border. That said, manufacturers are typically advised to obtain cargo insurance for international shipments.
Your manufacturing partner will provide assistance and direction with navigating shipping options. They may help you by explaining what has worked best for their clients in the past.
What Are the Benefits of Manufacturing in Tijuana, Mexico?
Finding manufacturing partners in Tijuana is beneficial in many ways for a U.S.-based company. Advantages of manufacturing in Tijuana include:
- Saving money: Depending on the products are manufacturing, working with a Mexico-based site should be considerably less costly than doing so in the U.S.
- Monitoring the process: Manufacturing your products in Tijuana allows you to strike an ideal balance. On the one hand, you enjoy the savings that come from outsourcing your manufacturing processes to another country. However, Tijuana is close enough that you can monitor manufacturing processes with relative ease. The proximity of Mexico to the U.S. can also help reduce transportation and shipping costs.
- Infrastructure: The infrastructure you need to ship manufactured products from Mexico to the U.S. is already in place. You also have additional options for freight-forwarding or 3rd-party logistics (3PL) to get your product efficiently and reliably to the final destination.
These are just a few reasons to move your manufacturing processes to Tijuana. Remember the advice here when doing so. By keeping an eye on logistics, you’ll more thoroughly reap the rewards of manufacturing in Tijuana, Mexico.
Coastline International has been a Tijuana-based manufacturing partner since 1982.
