Mexico’s Strategic Advantages for Medical Device Companies: Thuasne’s Success Story

Mexico's medical devices industry is rapidly emerging as a global hub for innovation and production, attracting international manufacturers looking to expand their footprint. As a cost-effective location with a highly skilled workforce, the country is now home to a growing number of medical equipment and healthcare devices companies. Among these, Thuasne, a leading medical equipment manufacturer specializing in medical textiles, compression garments, and orthotics, stands out as a key player. With a rich history in the medical field, Thuasne has successfully expanded its operations to Mexico, leveraging the country's strategic advantages to strengthen its position among the top medical device companies.

Thuasne: A Global Leader Among Medical Device Companies

Maurice Thuasne, who led the Thuasne Group for an impressive 73 years, was pivotal in transforming Thuasne into a major player in textile medical devices across Europe. With a background in engineering and a sharp industrial vision, Maurice strategically shifted the company’s focus toward the medical sector, ensuring its growth and independence. Today, his legacy continues through his granddaughter, Elizabeth Ducottet, who serves as Executive Chairman, and his great-granddaughter, Delphine Hanton, the CEO.

Thuasne’s journey began in 1847, initially as a manufacturer of narrow elastic textiles. Over the years, the company expanded its offerings, becoming a global leader in biomedical devices. Specializing in compression garments, orthopedic products, and sports devices, Thuasne has consistently prioritized innovation, quality, and reliability.

This commitment to excellence is evident in the company's advanced solutions, such as venous compression hosiery and orthopedic devices, which continue to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare sector. Today, the company is based in Saint-Etienne, France, and operates subsidiaries worldwide.

Mexico’s Strategic Advantages for Medical Equipment Manufacturers

Thuasne’s decision to expand into Mexico was driven by several strategic advantages the country offers medical device companies. Mexico’s geographic proximity to the U.S. allows for faster logistics and reduced supply chain disruptions, making it an ideal location for companies like Thuasne.

The country also provides cost-effective labor and a skilled workforce in the medical devices sector, which further enhances its appeal. Moreover, Mexico’s participation in the USMCA (T-MEC) ensures favorable trade conditions and legal certainty for foreign businesses. In contrast, global factors like the U.S.-China trade tensions and labor shortages in North America have made nearshoring to Mexico a more attractive option for companies looking to remain competitive.

How American Industries Facilitated Thuasne’s Growth in Mexico’s Medical Device Sector

Partnering with American Industries, Thuasne successfully navigated the complexities of establishing operations in Mexico. From selecting the right site to managing regulatory requirements, American Industries’ shelter administrative services played a key role in streamlining the expansion process. This collaboration allowed Thuasne to capitalize on Mexico’s structural advantages, such as its young population and well-established network of free trade agreements, solidifying its position among the top medical device companies operating in the region.

With the assistance of American Industries, Thuasne successfully established its manufacturing facility in Mexico, marking a significant milestone in the company’s global expansion. The facility was set up with a focus on optimizing production processes and increasing output to meet the growing demand for Thuasne’s compression garments and orthopedic products. This successful establishment demonstrates Thuasne's operational capabilities and the potential for other companies to replicate its success.

Operating in Mexico has proven highly beneficial for Thuasne, enabling the company to maintain high standards while significantly expanding its production capacity. This strategic move has allowed Thuasne to strengthen its regional presence and reinforce its position among the top medical device companies globally. As a medical equipment manufacturer, Thuasne continues to benefit from Mexico’s favorable business environment, helping the company deliver innovative medical solutions to international markets.

Thuasne's success in Mexico can be attributed to a combination of strategic planning, Mexico's unique advantages for medical device companies, and the essential support provided by American Industries. The country's proximity to key markets, skilled workforce, and robust infrastructure have allowed Thuasne to expand its production capacity and enhance its global competitiveness. American Industries was crucial in facilitating this expansion, guiding Thuasne through the complexities of establishing operations and ensuring a smooth transition into the Mexican market.

Why Thuasne Chose American Industries

Thuasne decided to collaborate with American Industries due to the company’s strong reputation and extensive history as a leading shelter program in Mexico. In addition, the company’s transparency, organizational capabilities, industry knowledge, and responsiveness, combined with its well-established regional connections, were key factors in the decision-making process. The company’s proficiency in market awareness, recruitment, site selection, risk mitigation, and navigating the IMMEX program and cultural barriers has been highly valuable since Thuasne started operations in 2022.

Although the company initially considered establishing operations in Ciudad Delicias, Chihuahua, seeking a highly skilled textile labor force, unforeseen issues during their visit caused them to reconsider, and American Industries recommended Thuasne explore the city of Chihuahua. After a carefully organized visit, including site tours, meetings with state government representatives, and a presentation of shelter services, Thuasne reassessed their options and ultimately decided to set up in Chihuahua.

The region offers significant advantages for manufacturers across various sectors, and American Industries provides not only comprehensive shelter administrative services but also industrial real estate solutions.

Looking ahead, Thuasne is well-positioned for continued growth, both in Mexico and globally, as the demand for innovative medical and orthopedic products rises. The broader biomedical and healthcare devices sectors in Mexico are also set for expansion, driven by nearshoring trends and Mexico’s favorable business environment. Companies looking to replicate Thuasne’s success should explore the opportunities Mexico offers.

Contact American Industries today to learn how they can help your business establish a strong presence in Mexico’s thriving medical devices sector.