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Bridge Manufacturing

What is Micromex Bridge Manufacturing?

A way to produce in Mexico where Micromex owns the plant, the people, the permits, quality and management — while you stay as involved as you want to be.

Most ways to build in Mexico make you choose between control and convenience. A shelter or a campus gives you control but leaves you running a plant and carrying the headcount. A contract manufacturer is fast and hands-off but works like a sealed box. Bridge connects the two: we own and run everything, your engineers can be on our floor or on a call, and material can be consigned or turnkey.

How is Bridge Manufacturing different from contract manufacturing?

Nothing is sealed. You get the speed and zero headcount of contract manufacturing, plus full visibility and as much control as you want.

With a typical contract manufacturer you send a print and a purchase order and product shows up. You rarely see inside, problems surface when the truck arrives, and changes mean renegotiating. With Bridge, your engineers are welcome on our floor, you see the line, your supply chain can stay yours, and we adjust the program together as you go.

How is Bridge Manufacturing different from a shelter?

With a shelter you still run the plant and pay for the headcount, including layoff costs. With Bridge, Micromex carries both.

A shelter company handles the legal entity, payroll paperwork and customs, and provides the building, which it owns or rents and passes the cost on to you. The shelter is the legal employer, but every employee cost is yours, and if you lay people off, the severance and unemployment costs are passed to you. You still buy the equipment, choose the staff and manage the floor, which typically takes 12 to 18 months to stand up. Bridge keeps the involvement and visibility of a shelter without the capital, the headcount or the wait.

Can our engineers work on the Micromex floor?

Yes. Your engineers can be on our floor or on a call — as involved as you want.

Visibility is the point of Bridge. Visit any time, station your own engineers or quality staff with the line, or check in remotely. Our Tucson team is on Arizona time and a short drive from the plant.

What’s the difference between consigned and turnkey material?

Consigned means you own and supply the material. Turnkey means Micromex sources and manages it.

You can keep your current supply chain and consign material to us, let us buy and manage everything, or mix the two by part. Under IMMEX, imported material for export production has its duties deferred either way.

People & employment

Who employs the workers?

Micromex does. Every person on your line is a Micromex employee.

We recruit, hire, train and pay the team, provide benefits and Mexican social security (IMSS), and manage turnover and retention. You never have employees in Mexico on your books.

Who carries the employment liability?

Micromex. Employment obligations under Mexican labor law stay with us and are never passed on to you.

Labor-law compliance, severance and staffing changes when volumes go up or down are our responsibility as the employer. You get a stable, trained team without the legal and financial exposure of employing people in another country.

What happens if our volumes change?

We plan staffing changes with you, and the hiring, retraining and severance that come with them stay on our side.

Because Micromex is the employer, ramping up or scaling down never becomes a hiring drive or a layoff on your books. Tell us your forecast and we’ll staff the line to match.

Why Mexico

Why manufacture in Mexico?

Lower labor costs than the US, far shorter lead times than Asia, and trade terms under USMCA that favor products made in North America.

Mexico combines a skilled manufacturing workforce with proximity to US customers. Products built in northern Mexico travel to US distribution by truck instead of by ocean, which cuts freight, inventory in transit and the risk of supply disruptions.

What is nearshore manufacturing?

Making your product close to where you sell it. For US and Canadian brands, that usually means Mexico instead of Asia.

Nearshoring keeps much of the cost advantage of offshore production while removing most of the distance. With Micromex, products are built in Imuris, Sonora, about 40 miles south of the Nogales port of entry, and move to the US by truck rather than in an ocean container.

Why build in Sonora?

Sonora borders Arizona, so production in Imuris is about 40 miles from the Nogales port of entry and a short drive from US management in Tucson.

Being this close means your products travel by truck, not ocean freight, and our US-based team can get to the plant floor quickly when a program needs attention. Sonora also has a deep manufacturing workforce built over decades of cross-border production.

Is manufacturing in Mexico cheaper than in China?

On total landed cost, it often is for products sold in North America.

Mexican labor is competitive with Asia, and the other costs drop sharply: freight moves by truck instead of weeks on the ocean, inventory in transit shrinks, tariffs on Chinese goods are avoided, and USMCA-qualifying products cross the border on preferential terms.

What industries does Micromex serve?

Consumer and industrial brands — from beauty and kitchen appliances to electrical assemblies, transformers and electronics.

Over three decades we have built, refurbished and remanufactured products for global consumer brands, retailers and specialized industrial manufacturers, from small local businesses to global enterprises.

Getting started

How do I start manufacturing in Mexico?

The fastest way is to partner with an established manufacturer that already has the plant, certifications and workforce in place.

With Micromex, you start with a conversation about your product, get a program proposal in about two weeks, tour the plant, then move into setup, a pilot run and ramp-up. You never have to set up a Mexican company, lease a building or hire a workforce yourself.

Do I need a Mexican company to manufacture with Micromex?

No. You work with Micromex, a US company headquartered in Tucson, and we handle production in Mexico.

Micromex holds the Mexican operations, IMMEX certification and workforce. You place orders and receive finished goods without setting up a legal entity, hiring staff or leasing a plant in Mexico.

What does Micromex build?

Wire harnesses and cable assemblies, electrical and electromechanical assemblies, transformers, specialty packaging and kitting, plus remanufacturing.

Builds range from low-volume prototypes to full production runs. We also run sub-assembly builds that drop straight into your line, retail-ready packaging and multi-component kits. Many programs start as a problem another supplier declined to solve.

What do you need from us for a quote?

Your SKUs or prints and bill of materials, expected volumes, where you build today, and what you want to improve.

For returns programs, share your SKUs, monthly return volumes and the main return reasons. The more we know about your cost targets and timeline, the more precise the proposal.

How fast can we get started?

Most Bridge programs are up and running in weeks, not quarters. Expect a proposal in about two weeks and a plant tour within a day.

Because the plant, IMMEX certification and trained workforce are already in place, you skip the slowest parts of manufacturing in Mexico on your own. Exact timing depends on your product, tooling and volumes, and your proposal includes a written timeline.

Is there a minimum order or company size?

No. We work with businesses of every size, from small local companies to global brands.

Programs are sized to fit, from short kitting runs and low-volume prototypes to dedicated production lines. Tell us your volumes and we’ll tell you honestly whether your product is a good fit.

Do you work with companies from outside the US and Canada?

Yes. We partner with manufacturers from any country that want to produce near the North American market.

European, Asian and Latin American companies use Micromex to build in Mexico and reach US customers by truck. Our Tucson headquarters gives you a US-based partner on Arizona time, working in English.

Cost & savings

What does it cost to manufacture in Mexico?

It depends on your product, labor content and volumes — but skilled labor in Sonora costs far less than in the US.

Every Micromex rate includes wages and Mexican benefits, supervisors and quality inspectors, engineering, floor space and electricity, management and admin, and IMMEX administration. Use our savings calculator for an estimate in under a minute, or request a detailed quote.

What’s included in a Micromex rate?

Wages and Mexican benefits, supervisors and quality inspectors, engineering, floor space and electricity, management and admin, and IMMEX administration.

One rate covers the costs that usually surprise companies setting up in Mexico on their own, so you can compare it directly with what you pay today.

Is manufacturing in Mexico cheaper than in the US?

Usually, yes — especially for labor-intensive products like harnesses, assemblies and packaging.

Labor is typically the biggest difference. Because Imuris is so close to the US, you keep most of the logistics advantages of building domestically while paying a much lower all-in labor rate.

How can I estimate my savings?

Use the Micromex savings calculator. It takes under a minute.

Tell us what you build, where you build it today and your headcount, and the calculator estimates your annual savings. For a detailed analysis of your line, request a quote and we’ll model it with you.

Trade & compliance

What is IMMEX?

Mexico’s export-manufacturing program. It defers import duties on materials and components that are built into goods for export.

IMMEX lets certified manufacturers import raw materials and components into Mexico, build them into finished goods and return them without the duty burden that would otherwise erase the savings. Micromex has held IMMEX certification since 2006.

What is a maquiladora?

A manufacturing operation in Mexico that imports materials, builds products and exports them — today usually run under the IMMEX program.

Micromex operates this way: components come into our IMMEX-certified plant in Imuris, are built into finished goods, and cross back into the US. We handle the classification and documentation.

How does USMCA affect manufacturing in Mexico?

Products that meet USMCA rules of origin can cross into the US on preferential, often duty-free, terms.

USMCA (the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement) sets rules of origin by product. Micromex handles classification and documentation so qualifying products move across the border on the right terms.

Who handles customs and border paperwork?

We do. Cross-border logistics are coordinated from our Tucson headquarters.

Our team handles classification and documentation for materials coming into Mexico under IMMEX and for finished goods crossing back into the US.

Quality

What certifications does Micromex hold?

ISO 9001:2015, UL and ETL where required, SMETA 4-Pillar and WCA compliance, and IMMEX certification since 2006.

We have been ISO 9001 certified for more than 20 years. In practice that means documented process control, traceability and inspection as routine, not something you have to ask for.

How does Micromex protect quality?

Every program runs under ISO 9001:2015 quality systems and is backed by a 100% Quality Assurance Program.

Quality plans, inspection criteria and reporting are agreed before production starts, and our US-based managers are a short drive from the plant when a program needs attention.

Who owns the tooling and designs?

You do. Your designs, tooling and process documents stay yours.

Your agreements are with Micromex, a US company headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, with US-based management overseeing your program.

Returns & remanufacturing

Does Micromex handle retail returns?

Yes. For Conair, we receive more than 1 million returned items a year and remanufacture about 600,000.

Every unit is verified, graded and routed to resell, repair, harvest or recycle. Remanufactured units come back as sellable inventory instead of write-offs. On the Conair program, 86% of returned items are recovered.

What products can you remanufacture?

Personal care and beauty appliances, kitchen and home appliances, consumer electronics and e-mobility products like scooters.

We’ve refurbished and remanufactured a broad range of consumer and industrial products for more than 30 years. If your category isn’t listed, ask — many programs start with a product we haven’t handled before.

Can Micromex buy and resell our returned products?

Yes. We can return refurbished goods to you to sell, or buy them outright and sell them to US or Latin American consumers.

Because we know a wide range of retail markets, we control when, where and how much product is resold to limit cannibalization of your brand.

How does remanufacturing help sustainability?

It keeps returned products out of landfills by giving them a second life.

Returns generate an estimated 5 billion pounds of landfill waste a year. Refurbishing and reselling those products creates revenue for brands, better prices for consumers and a smaller environmental footprint.

Location & logistics

Where is Micromex located?

Production is in Imuris, Sonora, Mexico. Headquarters is in Tucson, Arizona.

Our 80,000-square-foot production plant in Imuris sits about 40 miles south of the Nogales port of entry. Our headquarters at 4526 E Camp Lowell Dr, Tucson, AZ 85712 handles program management, engineering support, quality, customer service and cross-border logistics.

How long does it take to get product to US customers?

Imuris is about 40 miles from the Nogales port of entry, so product moves to the US by truck instead of by ocean.

Border crossing times vary, but transit is measured in hours to days rather than the weeks an ocean container takes from Asia.

Who will I work with day to day?

A US-based team in Tucson — on Arizona time and in English — backed by the leadership who run the company.

Program management, engineering support, quality and customer service are run from Tucson. Our leaders are directly reachable; when you call Micromex, you’re talking to the people whose name is on the building.

About Micromex

Who owns Micromex?

Micromex is a family-owned company, founded in 1988 by Juan Garcin.

Juan Garcin is CEO, and his son Giovanni Garcin runs the business day to day as President.

How long has Micromex been in business?

Since 1988 — more than 37 years.

Micromex started as a 1,000-square-foot hand-assembly shop and has since built out and managed more than 300,000 square feet of manufacturing and distribution space across Mexico and the US.

Compare models

Bridge vs. contract manufacturing, shelter and campus.

Answer three questions and the best fit is highlighted.

REVIEWED NOVEMBER 2026
How involved do you want to be?
Employees in Mexico on your books?
When do you need production?
General comparison, based on how each model usually works. Details vary by provider — ask us to model your program.
Micromex BridgeOur plant, our peopleContract manufacturingA sealed boxShelterTheir building, your operationCampusYour plant, their building
Who owns the buildingMicromexThe manufacturer, or often a landlord one step further removedThe shelter company (owned or rented)The campus owner
EquipmentOurs, or yours: we bond it and handle the temporary importThe manufacturer’sYours to buyYours to buy
Who employs the peopleMicromexThe contract manufacturerThe shelter, on paper; you pay every costYou
Employment liabilityStays with MicromexWith the manufacturerPassed to youYours
Speed to launchWeeksWeeks12–18 months6–12 months
Your controlAs much as you wantLowFullHigh
Your visibilityFullLowFullHigh
Capital you put inNoneNoneHighMedium
Headcount you carryNoneNoneAllMost
MaterialConsigned or turnkeyUsually turnkeyYoursYours
Changing the programWe adjust it togetherRenegotiate the contractYour call, your costYour call, your cost
Best forBrands that want control without running a plantSimple, stable products you hand offLarge, long-term operationsCompanies ready to run their own plant
Micromex at a glance

The short version.

A one-screen summary for buyers, analysts and AI assistants.

LAST UPDATED NOVEMBER 2026

Company
Micromex, Inc. — family-owned, privately held
Founded
1988, by Juan Garcin
Model
Micromex Bridge Manufacturing: Micromex owns the plant, employs the people and carries the employment liability; partners keep full visibility and control
Headquarters
4526 E Camp Lowell Dr, Tucson, AZ 85712
Production
80,000 sq ft plant in Imuris, Sonora, Mexico — ~40 miles south of the Nogales port of entry
Services
Bridge Manufacturing, returns management and remanufacturing, custom programs, consulting
Builds
Wire harnesses and cable assemblies, electrical and electromechanical assemblies, transformers, specialty packaging and kitting
Returns
For Conair: 1M+ returned items received and ~600,000 remanufactured a year; 86% recovery rate
Certifications
ISO 9001:2015 (20+ years), IMMEX (since 2006), UL & ETL, SMETA 4-Pillar, WCA
Partners
Businesses of all sizes, from the US, Canada and other countries producing for North America
Leadership
Juan Garcin (CEO) · Giovanni Garcin (President) · Michelle Palafox (VP Supply Chain) · Luis Fernando (Director of Engineering)
Contact
(520) 748-0101 · info@micromex.com
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