Reynosa wants its supply chain closer to home

Manufacturers in Reynosa are starting to look closer to home for the goods and services they need.

As costs rise and global supply chains become less predictable, maquiladoras are turning to local suppliers to reduce risk and keep more business in the region.

That shift was on display at the Index Reynosa Supplier Expo 2026, where 78 companies met with more than 400 representatives from purchasing and maintenance teams across the maquiladora industry. 

The goal was simple: connect local businesses directly with the companies that might hire them.

The types of suppliers involved show just how wide that opportunity is. Companies ranged from logistics and transportation to industrial catering, legal and accounting services, hospitals, retail, and private security — all services that help factories run day to day.

“The idea is to bring together local suppliers with maquiladoras to generate synergy and greater local economic spillover,” Alfredo Guajardo Jiménez, president of Index Reynosa, said. 

Instead of relying on companies from outside the region, the focus is now on identifying what already exists locally and strengthening those connections.

“It’s about knowing what suppliers are available in the region so it becomes more attractive for companies to come to Reynosa,” Guajardo said.

The approach is already producing results.

“Many suppliers who participated last year are now active suppliers for maquiladoras,” Guajardo said.

Getting in is the hard part

Even with more interest in local suppliers, breaking into the industry is not easy.

Companies must meet strict requirements, including tax compliance, quality standards, and the ability to deliver on time within fast-paced factory operations.

“Those already inside know how things work. The challenge is for new suppliers,” Guajardo said.

He also acknowledged the broader economic pressure facing the sector.

“It is impacting us. There is uncertainty, but we have to face it,” Guajardo Jiménez said.

Reynosa Mayor Carlos Peña Ortiz said bringing more suppliers into the local economy is critical.

“Many suppliers come from outside, and that economic spillover does not stay here,” the mayor said. “We are talking about billions of pesos generated by the industry, and what we want is for more of that to stay in Reynosa.”

He said that keeping more business local can lead to more jobs, better wages, and improved quality of life.

But even companies that meet all the requirements face another major challenge: getting in front of the right people.

Luis Vargas, a representative of Stenum Logistics, said access is often the biggest obstacle.

“The main challenge is accessing the buyer,” he said.

Vargas said reaching purchasing departments inside maquiladoras is difficult due to internal rules and security measures.

“Becoming a supplier can take three months, six months, or even a year,” he said.

Most companies start small, taking on limited work to prove they can deliver before getting larger contracts.

Events like the supplier expo help speed up that process.

“Here you can speak directly with purchasing, human resources, or safety and understand what they need,” Vargas said. “You have to ask more, understand what the client is looking for, and build solutions.”

Standards are getting stricter

From the companies’ side, choosing suppliers has become more detailed and more strict.

Dalila Ríos, a procurement specialist at Kohler, said companies are looking beyond price.

“We look for differentiation: the company’s structure, its size, and its compliance,” Ríos said.

She said suppliers must meet requirements such as certifications, labor compliance, and proper registration with authorities — especially if they are working inside factory facilities.

“If a supplier is going to work inside the plant, compliance is mandatory. It’s about safety and accountability,” Ríos said.

She added that global risks are also pushing companies to look locally.

“We are looking for local suppliers to avoid risks related to imports, permits, or regulations,” she said.

Ríos said cost increases, especially in transportation, are carefully reviewed before being accepted.

“We analyze each increase, request breakdowns, and evaluate the market before making decisions,” Ríos said.

Suppliers are also adjusting.

Antonio Romero Sánchez, business development manager at Almacenes Móviles – A Warehouse on Wheels Company, said rising transportation costs affect nearly everyone.

“We are impacted through transportation costs. Sooner or later, those increases are reflected,” Romero said.

Instead of raising prices directly, his company is focusing on helping clients save money through efficiency.

“We offer flexible storage solutions that help avoid additional costs,” Romero Sánchez said.

He said those solutions allow companies to handle changes in inventory without building new warehouses, reducing transportation costs and wasted space.

“It’s a way to make operations more efficient and help companies avoid unnecessary expenses,”he said.