Aerospace Sector

Q: What does Horizontec mean for Guanajuato and the Mexican aerospace industry?

A: Although we have several interesting operations within the state, Horizontec is the flagship company for Guanajuato’s aerospace industry. It represents the capabilities of our country. Guanajuato is proud to host Horizontec, a company that designs and manufactures light-sport aircraft (LSA). Horizontec is building manufacturing facilities and will begin production soon. In the next few years, the company will manufacture about 20 airplanes annually. This is encouraging for Guanajuato and Mexico.

Q: What challenges and opportunities does Horizontec’s operations bring to local suppliers?

A: Finding suppliers for Horizontec has been an interesting challenge because the region does not have many companies that sell raw materials or provide specialized processes. Carbon fiber and composite materials, for example, must be imported.

However, Horizontec can generate opportunities for suppliers by certifying its suppliers, facilitating the insertion of new companies into the aerospace supply chain, especially for machining and plastic-injection. This will help companies migrate from other sectors to the aerospace industry. BJXAerospace also drives the diversification of companies, mainly in the transition from the automotive sector to the aerospace industry.

Q: What makes Guanajuato an attractive state for the aerospace sector?

A: Guanajuato is focusing on developing technology, processes and products. In the automotive sector, for example, Mexico is more focused on maquila operations but aerospace focuses on innovation and technology to offer diverse services to airlines.

For example, a company in Guanajuato that made shoe leather saw an opportunity to produce airplane seats. Through R&D, the company developed a tanning process to lower the weight and density of the leather while increasing its resistance. The company now sells its solution to national and international airlines.

Q: What strategies is BJXAerospace implementing to grow the aerospace industry in Guanajuato?

A: BJXAerospace focuses on three main strategies: talent development, supply chain and promotion. To develop the industry, the state requires talent and specialized training. The cluster works closely with academia. The state has campuses where aerospace technicians and engineers are trained, in addition to schools for pilots and flight attendants. We also support the design of programs for those already working in the sector.

Regarding supply chain integration, BJXAerospace puts a great deal of emphasis on supplier development. We evaluate the competencies of suppliers and check if they match demand. We focus on avoiding duplication and we have adopted the good practices of other clusters and of FEMIA, which knows the sector’s needs.