Market Overview

In 2008, the Security and Safety market in Mexico maintained its second place as the most dynamic market in Latin America after Brazil. The government has adopted diverse measures to combat crime and provide citizens with better security, including: increased budgets for law enforcement agencies, internal investigations to assure integrity in federal and state police divisions and groups, participation of NGO’s to report and evaluate progress in the field, and a wider and more coordinated military deployment throughout the country.  

The security market has two main components: the federal government and the private sector. Both sectors have supported the 15% expansion in the market in 2008. Mexico’s total imports during 2008 reached USD$ 4,852 million; U.S. market share was 45.5%.  The is a lower participation level in contrast to previous years, and demonstrating the market’s competitiveness in certain categories, such as alarms, cameras, VCRs and other products.

The economic outlook for 2009 is conservative with anticipated decreased growth. The economy will likely witness a slight contraction. Government consumption will lead the domestic demand, as the government’s security budget was increased 25%.

Best Products/Services

Best prospects for products and services in the security and safety sector include:

• Communication systems: the Mexican government is implementing an Integral Crime Prevention Strategy, including the "Criminal Information System" under the Platform Mexico program 
• Portable bomb detectors, armored doors and tracking devices against kidnappers 
• Tactical products such as body armor, helmets, flashlights
• Armored vehicles (commercial and military
• Sprinklers and smoke detectors
• Armored vehicles
• Biometrics
• Satellite tracking systems in commercial vehicles and private cars (GPS and RFID technology)
• Closed caption television systems (CCTV)

Market Opportunities

Personal security products, protection products and high-tech solutions and services have the most significant opportunities due the demand from the governmental and private sectors. In 2007, some products and services reached spectacular growth: 20% for armored vehicles; 25% for CCTV solutions and 18% for electronic security. Some sources indicated that the local demand of security services in Mexico grew 50% during 2007.

Specific opportunities include: 

• Metal and arms detection systems 
• Explosive detection systems 
• Night vision devices 
• Electromagnetic (EM) technology systems; digital technology to filter noise and diminish false alarms

Trade Events in Mexico

Expo Seguridad 2009, April 21-23, 2009 / Centro Banamex, Mexico City

Expo Seguridad is the most important security equipment exhibition in Mexico. In its 2008 edition, it had more than 8,100 visitors who were able to find systems, solutions and security products suppliers from 220 international exhibitors. 

The USCS in Mexico City will organize a U.S. Pavilion formed by ten companies that are seeking to expand their business in Mexico through end-users, potential trade partners (representatives/distributors), and strategic business alliances. Are you interested in offering high quality products and solutions, including post-sale services and warranties with a competitive price in Mexico? 

Please contact us to participate in the U.S. Pavilion at Expo Seguridad 2009! 

For more information, please contact: Silvia Cardenas, U.S. Commercial Service Mexico City

Upcoming Mexican Buyer Delegation to the U.S.

ISC (International Security Conference and Exposition) West: April 1-3, 2009 - Sand Expo and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada

The US Commercial Service in Mexico City will organize an international buyer program for Mexican firms interested in technological security solutions offered by both manufacturers and distributors during the trade show. In the 2008 edition, the ISC West had 16,000 attendees and more than 1,000 companies displayed new products, services, and systems with state-of-the-art- technologies. ISC West will have a Conference and a Technical program. ICS West has designed two exhibit areas of special interest:

•             Intelligent Homes

•             Urban Security

The US Commercial Service will provide on-the-floor support for the Mexican delegation including arranging one-on-one appointments for the delegation with U.S. suppliers

For more information, please contact: Silvia Cardenas, U.S. Commercial Service Mexico City

Resources

Some useful resources in this sector include:

American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) Mexico Chapter

Citizen Institute of Insecurity Studies, A.C. (ICESI)

Mexican Institute of Intelligent Building, A.C

National Council of Private Security, A.C.

 National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Informatics (INEGI)

 Latin America Security Association (ALAS)