Benchmark has officially inaugurated its new advanced manufacturing facility in Guadalajara, Mexico, marking a significant step in the company’s long-term growth strategy and commitment to serving customers with increasingly complex, regulated, and mission-critical products. The new facility—located in the San Jorge industrial park—represents a 50% expansion in Benchmark’s manufacturing footprint in the region and is poised to become a cornerstone for serving OEMs in medical technologies, complex industrial applications, next-gen communications, and advanced computing.
To commemorate the occasion, Benchmark hosted a grand opening celebration attended by more than 100 guests, including customers, government officials, community partners, and Benchmark leaders. The day’s events featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, facility tours, and product demonstrations, showcasing the site's advanced capabilities and focus on collaboration and innovation. The atmosphere was festive yet purposeful, with local cuisine, and mariachi music underscoring both community connection and long-term vision.
This grand opening is a major milestone for Benchmark. As Chief Operating Officer Dave Valkanoff said at the ceremony, “The opening of our new Guadalajara facility is more than an expansion—it’s a statement of Benchmark’s commitment to our outstanding employees, innovation, quality, and regional partnership. This investment strengthens our ability to deliver world-class solutions for highly regulated industries while deepening our ties to the local community and workforce. We’re proud of what we’ve built and even more excited for what lies ahead.”
Purpose-Built for Complexity and Speed
Benchmark’s Guadalajara facility is designed from the ground up to support high-reliability, high-mix, low-to-medium volume production—exactly the kind of manufacturing that medical, complex industrials, and next-gen communications OEMs rely on for speed-to-market and precision. The site incorporates smart factory practices, real-time data analytics, and agile production systems, enabling a faster and more flexible path from prototyping to full-scale production.
This facility stands apart from traditional manufacturing operations by embedding a robust IT backbone that connects Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems for real-time visibility and control across the production lifecycle. These systems are augmented by cybersecurity protections, cloud integration, and digital twin capabilities, creating a secure and scalable environment that aligns with the highest expectations of global OEMs.
What We Make and Who We Serve
The Guadalajara facility supports a wide range of complex products across several strategic sectors. In medical technologies, the site is already manufacturing critical electronics for automated external defibrillators (AEDs), tissue oximetry systems for oxygen monitoring, and high-performance power systems used in radiotherapy equipment. These are critical, life-saving technologies produced to meet stringent regulatory standards, with more advanced programs on the horizon.
On the industrial side, the site supports the assembly of flow meters and valve controls for the oil and gas industry, as well as telematics and cold chain tracking devices that optimize logistics and supply chain operations. Residential and commercial climate control products—like HVAC thermostats and smart controllers—are also produced here, contributing to the growing market for energy-efficient infrastructure.
In the communications and computing sectors, Benchmark Guadalajara manufactures satellite broadband connectivity systems, VoIP infrastructure, and smart city hardware. With increasing demand for faster and more reliable digital infrastructure, these products support the backbone of modern connectivity.
Faster Time to Market Through Process Innovation
One of the most compelling benefits for customers is Benchmark’s reimagined new product introduction (NPI) model, which was developed at Benchmark Guadalajara. This site serves as an incubator for NPI best practices, which can then be deployed across Benchmark’s global network. Using insights from past medical projects, the site has implemented internal software tools and cross-functional workflows that dramatically reduce qualification and ramp-up times—up to 35%, depending on the project.
Instead of waiting days to align teams or consolidate data, engineers and program managers can now collaborate through proprietary software tailored for process, quality, industrial, test, and IT functions. A site-wide program management system orchestrates tasks across departments in near real-time, ensuring faster decision-making, fewer handoff delays, and more predictable schedules. These tools were on full display during the grand opening tours, offering customers a glimpse into a faster, more integrated way of bringing products to life.
Building a World-Class Workforce
Benchmark is investing deeply in local talent development to support the expected growth of over 500 new positions by the end of 2026. Hiring is already underway across engineering, operations, test, quality, and IT roles, focusing on technical expertise and a culture of continuous improvement.
At the same time, Benchmark is strategically collaborating with universities and technical schools in the Guadalajara region to ensure a robust talent pipeline in the future. Benchmark has forged partnerships with institutions including Universidad Politécnica de la Zona Metropolitana de Guadalajara, Tecnológico Superior de Jalisco Unidad Chapala, and CECYTEJ Plantel 27, among others. These relationships include internship programs, job fairs, student mentorship, and in some cases, specialized technical training delivered directly by Benchmark engineers. The goal is not just to fill roles but to cultivate a skilled workforce aligned with the advanced manufacturing needs of the future.
A Commitment to Community and Customers
The grand opening event symbolized Benchmark’s broader mission: to empower its customers while contributing meaningfully to the communities it operates in. As General Manager Dagoberto Esquer remarked during the ceremony, "This site reflects our commitment to smarter, faster, and more resilient manufacturing—and to the local partners and people who make that possible."
In support of that mission, Benchmark fosters teamwork through collaborative studio projects that support both local and company initiatives. We’ve donated computer equipment to a nearby technical school, helping to strengthen STEM education in the region. Additionally, Benchmark is an active member of the Association of Industrial Companies (AISAC), and our employees lead initiatives like a health-focused race to promote wellness and community spirit.
By combining advanced capabilities, cross-sector expertise, and a human-centered approach to growth, Benchmark’s new Guadalajara facility is not just a new building, it’s a powerful new platform for enabling the products that make the world healthier, safer, and better connected.
