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Labor Costs and Availability

Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2024 8:41 am
Companies strive to make their supply chain secure and effective in managing risks from natural disasters and global credit crises. Sourcing plastic components in Mexico is one way of cementing its position in the competitive global supply chain. Sourcing will always have a roof.Manufacturers and businesses from different countries seek to expand their operations globally. Thus, choosing the correct country to invest in is challenging. Some of the countries where manufacturers seek to expand are Mexico and China. This paper will argue that Mexico and China, two of the world's biggest production centers, still have different characteristics that make each nation ideal for distinct industries. This discussion considers manufacturability in Mexico and China based on several criteria, such as labor cost, supply chain availability and quality, tariffs and shipping, labor productivity, etc.

Wages and labor resources are two factors that any discuss data firm looking to manufacture its products in either China or Mexico should consider. Both countries remain more or less competitive with Western nations regarding wages. However, they are apparent in terms of regional cost disparities. Wages differ by the distance to the US border. Distances to the US border affect demand and the degree of market access in Mexico. The wages in this country are higher in border cities, such as Tijuana or Ciudad Juárez.

On the other hand, labor is cheaper in central and southern Mexico. These regions provide an opportunity for a company looking for a cheap location.

Wages in China are low in interior provinces but have increased in coastal cities such as Shenzhen and Guangzhou. There are many specialized industries in these areas. Therefore, when firms want to assign work to reduce labor expenses, they should opt for inland China or southern or central Mexico.

Mexico and China have comparatively substantial labor forces, but their employees' qualifications and expertise vary. The labor force in Mexico prioritizes the automobile and aerospace industries. The labor is complementary to vocational education alongside technical colleges responsible for preparing numerous skilled mechanics and engineers. It makes Mexico even more appealing to firms planning to manufacture products with strict technical specifications and quality standards in industries closely connected with US supply value chains.

China has a vast pool of labor. Companies in China can easily upscale and downscale and get access to a labor force with skills in electronics, textiles, and complex assembly. China has been particularly suitable for firms sourcing specialized labor, especially in consumer electronics manufacturing.