Written By Jeffrey Cartwright | 8 min read
Re-sourcing manufacturing from China to a partner in Mexico (or another location) offers enormous benefits. However, one of the most significant challenges companies face is the lack of complete and accurate documentation—such as up-to-date drawings, specifications, and bills of materials (BOM). Without this information, businesses encounter roadblocks, inflated costs, and delayed timelines, making the transition frustrating and expensive.
MSSA and Shoreview Advisors have recognized this critical issue and now offers a powerful solution through its partnerships with EXPERTiS Custom Embedded Systems Design & Development Services and IPS Services On-Demand Procurement and Supplier Development Solutions. These partners specialize in recreating the missing information, enabling competitive bidding and significantly improving the chances of a successful re-sourcing effort.
Why The Documentation Gap is a Problem
Imagine this scenario:
Company X has worked with a supplier in China for over a decade. Over the years, components have been updated, and the product has evolved, but the documentation has not kept pace. When Company X decides to move production to Mexico, they find themselves with incomplete and outdated specifications. Worse yet, their Chinese supplier refuses to provide updated files, citing intellectual property rights.
This creates an immediate and costly challenge. Without complete BOMs and drawings, most Mexican factories won’t even participate in quoting. Those that do often add a 20% premium to account for the increased risk. Unlike in China, Mexican manufacturing operates on an execution-based model, requiring comprehensive instructions to ensure quality and avoid the liability risks associated with U.S. markets.
This lack of documentation results in delays, higher costs, and a flawed transition process.
The Solution: Meet EXPERTiS and IPS Services
To address these challenges, MSSA and Shoreview Advisors have teamed up with EXPERTiS and IPS Services, two strategic partners that specialize in reverse-engineering and recreation of essential product information. This collaboration ensures businesses can overcome one of the largest obstacles in re-sourcing to Mexico: the documentation gap.
- EXPERTiS Custom Embedded Systems Design & Development Services provides advanced reverse-engineering expertise for electronic and embedded systems. From disassembling finished products to recreating software files, part drawings, and technical specifications, EXPERTiS ensures every detail is meticulously documented.
- IPS Services On-Demand Procurement and Supplier Development Solutions focuses on the mechanical and structural aspects of the product. IPS recreates BOMs and assembly drawings while identifying and qualifying suppliers that meet the necessary technical and quality standards for the product’s production.
- In addition to their technical expertise, EXPERTiS and IPS Services bring an established network of well-qualified factories and sources throughout Mexico. This network allows them to assist in locating difficult-to-find components, helping to localize as much of the bill of materials (BOM) in Mexico as possible. By doing so, businesses can ensure USMCA compliance, enabling zero-tariff advantages and improving supply chain efficiency.
Together, EXPERTiS and IPS Services enable businesses to recreate the exact documentation Mexican factories require for competitive and accurate quoting. This process doesn’t just eliminate roadblocks—it positions businesses for faster, cost-effective transitions that maximize the benefits of near-shoring.
Why Preparation Matters
Re-sourcing to Mexico is achievable and can bring significant benefits, but preparation is key to avoiding unnecessary costs and delays. Accurate documentation allows for:
- Competitive Pricing: Factories can quote without adding a premium for missing or incomplete information, avoiding the common 20% cost increase.
- Faster Time-to-Market: Complete files allow factories to begin production quickly, reducing delays caused by documentation recreation.
- Improved Execution: With precise instructions, factories can execute with accuracy, ensuring high-quality outcomes.
A comprehensive Re-Sourcing Preparation Checklist is essential to determine your readiness. At a minimum, this checklist should include:
- Bill of Materials (BOM): Ensure all components are listed in detail.
- Assembly and Part Drawings: Verify that each BOM item has a corresponding, up-to-date drawing.
- Physical Product Sample: Match the drawings and BOM to a physical teardown of the product to identify missing or outdated documentation.
If gaps are identified during this process, MSSA and Shoreview Advisors, along with EXPERTiS and IPS Services, can help recreate the necessary files, enabling a smooth transition to your new manufacturing partner.
Unlocking Competitive Bidding with Complete Documentation
The key to a successful relocation to Mexican manufacturing lies in complete preparation. Factories in Mexico are capable of delivering exceptional quality, but their execution depends on having the right inputs. Without the proper documentation, competitive bidding becomes nearly impossible, and businesses risk unnecessarily high costs and operational inefficiencies.
By recreating BOMs, drawings, and technical specifications, EXPERTiS and IPS Services empower businesses to secure competitive quotes and ensure accuracy in execution. This capability directly addresses the root cause of delays and inflated costs in re-sourcing efforts, giving companies a strategic advantage in near-shoring their manufacturing operations.
MSSA: Your Partner in Re-Sourcing Success
MSSA and Shoreview Advisors are proud to partner with EXPERTiS Custom Embedded Systems Design & Development Services and IPS Services On-Demand Procurement and Supplier Development Solutions to provide businesses with a complete solution to the documentation challenge. Together, we ensure that companies re-sourcing manufacturing to Mexico are fully equipped to overcome obstacles, secure competitive pricing, and achieve a seamless transition.
If you’re ready to move your manufacturing to Mexico or need assistance addressing gaps in your documentation, contact us today. With the expertise of our team and partners, your re-sourcing process will be efficient, cost-effective, and geared for success.