Sonora, the Mexican state bordering Arizona to the south, represents a multitude of established and emerging opportunities for businesses and investors stateside. Here we will highlight some of the leading industries and factors contributing to Sonora’s business climate. As a licensed commercial real estate broker in the state of Sonora, PICOR, through its POCIR entity, is positioned to advise on requirements spanning the Arizona-Sonora border region.
Why invest in Sonora, Mexico?
Sonora is the second largest state in Mexico. In addition to a 368-mile shared border with Arizona and the United States, Sonora borders the Mexican states of Baja California, Chihuahua and Sinaloa.
Sonora has six accessible ports of entry on the Arizona-Sonora border. The state boasts 745 miles of coastline, with the Guaymas deep water port offering opportunities for economic development and growth. Sonora’s population totals 2.3 million people, with a median age of 23.
- Skilled Work Force: Population 2.3 million, with median age 23. Host to 31 universities plus Technological Institutes and Technical Schools.
- Location: Proximity to Arizona and California, strategic industrial corridor, and natural access to the Pacific Ocean and deep sea port.
- World Class Infrastructure: 5 International Airports, 2 with cargo capacity. 190 airfields, inland customs facilities in Hermosillo for intermodal transportation. Guaymas Deep Sea multi-modal Port 5 hours from the Nogales, U.S. port of entry (POE). 6 border POEs to the United States. Established interstate, highway, rail, industrial park, and telecommunication services.
- Link to High Level Research Centers: 8 Centers of Technology Research with 248+ annual projects.
- Dynamic Business Environment: Automotive, Aerospace, Manufacturing Investments, government incentives, and intergovernmental agreements.
- Supplier Industrial Development: annual expos for suppliers, commerce, as well as development and technology upgrade programs.
- National Leadership in Economic Sectors: Leading the nation in fishing; gold, copper, wollastonite, graphite, molybdenum and barite production; wheat, cotton, watermelon, grapes and asparagus production; leading exporter of pork meat exports to Asia.
Key Business Opportunities/Industries
Biotechnology – Wide experience in agriculture R&D, an emerging industry in Mexico and Sonora.
Electronics – Five main sectors: consumer electronics, personal computers, telecommunication equipment, electronic components and industrial and medical equipment.
Medical – Cost effective, high quality manufacturing; proximity to California; R&D for medical products by competitive engineers. Medical device manufacturing includes surgical needles and staples, catheter equipment, medical attire, among others.
Automotive – Ford Motor Company and its supplier park represent the region’s largest automotive project with representation from a broad range of parts suppliers.
Aerospace – The northwestern Aerospace Cluster accounts for more than 50% of the total aerospace activity in Mexico and includes 35 aerospace manufacturers. Among activities in Sonora are machining of components, secondary processes, manufacturing & assembly, supply chain integration, design & engineering.
For more details or to pursue specific opportunities in the border region, please contact us.
Mike Hammond SIOR CRE is PICOR’s President, Founder and
Managing Shareholder, and leads the firm’s activity in the border region, specifically, the state of Sonora, Mexico, where PICOR is incorporated and licensed. He has been a sales and marketing trainer for the national Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) for 20 years, is a Counselor of Real Estate (CRE) and is active in regional leadership with the Urban Land Institute (ULI).
Denisse Angulo, A bilingual native of Sonora, Mexico, Denisse began at PICOR in 2005 as an intern, then launched her career as coordinator of the Alpha Group focusing on the industrial market. Today she is a regional marketing specialist advising companies and investors on both sides of the border in both English and Spanish. Denisse is licensed to sell real estate on both sides of the border, and is currently working on her MBA.
Source: Consejo para la Promocion del Estado de Sonora
Photo credits: ITESM building: Ana Encinas; Portraits: Gary Rumack Photography
