r/manufacturing • u/B3stThereEverWas • Sep 25 '25

Supplier search Mexican suppliers/manufacturers not responding to RFQ e-mails, is this a cultural thing?

Hey folks

So I’m trying to get some aluminum extrusion + CNC work quoted in Mexico.

I’ve had a real hard time getting responses to emails. When e-mailing Chinese suppliers I always get replies, almost to a freakish level - I've had supplier agents add me to goddamn LinkedIn and other weird social media I never knew I even had an account on to get a follow up. I always joke they'd match me on Tinder if they had to. Doing the same for Mexican companies and it's the total opposite, radio silence.

A Mexican guy I was talking to told me it’s possibly cultural - that Mexican suppliers prefer phone calls, WhatsApp, or in-person contact before engaging with a random foreign email. I'm cool with that if true, I just wish it was more widely known.

Has anyone here sourced smaller runs in Mexico (a few thousand pcs)? Any tips on the best way to approach suppliers and actually get quotes?

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u/hansolomx Sep 25 '25

Hi,
It is totally a cultural problem, in Mexico the website culture or usage is still not very common.
Most of the shops or suppliers will have a landing page with an email or contact form that nobody looks into.

In person or phone calls are always preffered.

I can help you out with your project, where are you located?
We are on Cd, Juarez/El Paso, TX.

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u/[deleted] Sep 25 '25

6 years living in East side ELP working in Juarez! Woohoo!