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Machine Tool and Metalworking Equipment Country: Mexico Page 1 of 8 Machine Tool and Metalworking Equipment Mario Vidana May 12 Summary The metalworking industry is not new to Mexico; this industry began in the late nineteenth century along with the beverage, glass and truck manufacturing industries; first in northern 1 Mexico and later, throughout the rest of that country. A large number of small and medium businesses (SME) settled around the biggest buyers of sheet metal and machined parts. These SMEs survived for a long period using World War II machinery which Mexican businessmen purchased at U. S. auctions, then refurbished in their own shops. The rationale for their actions was based on the premise that “when a machine is well maintained, it will keep working another hundred years”. This worked well for most of them prior to the 1980´s. But by 1985, new types of businesses started to arrive from abroad with large demands for metal parts. That sounded promising to many small Mexican fabricators, however those companies arrived with a new manufacturing requirement, a requirement not many thought much about before: quality. Motorola had introduced a new quality philosophy and methodology that provided a way to assure the highest quality levels. This forced Motorola suppliers to step up their quality standards - including providing training. Moto