Lean Production in Mexico

Abstract:

This paper looks at the development of lean production in Mexico, especially concerning the automobile industry. They present four stages of development in the Maquiladora sector: intensified work to 1982, modernization with lean to 1994, technical centers and knowledge- based work to 2002, and coordination throughout Mexico to the present. The early implementation avoided unions but did so by using younger workers who were lwilling to work under lean conditions. The unions themselves were more corporatist in orientation and did not oppose lean processes. As a result, about 20% to 30% of manufacturing companies use TPS. They conclude that the situation in Mexico does not allow the development of a more complete adoption of lean production in the medium term, especially with disruptions that may come with Industrie 4.0. Nonetheless, the environment is favorable toward lean production in the growing automobile industry.