Shimadzu Mexico, a Hub to Deliver Shimadzu Technology to Central America, Begins Full Operations

Shimadzu Corporation has established a new base in Mexico City called Shimadzu México, S. A. de C.V. (hereinafter SMX). SMX will provide sales and service of analytical and measuring instruments used for automotive parts quality control and for analysis of pharmaceutical and food components, as well as medical systems that support clinical testing, and will operate across the entire Central American region.

The opening ceremony held in Mexico City in February 2026

 

SMX has been established as part of Shimadzu Corporation’s 3-year medium-term management plan launched in April 2023 aimed at “being an innovative company that solves social issues with global partners.”

By operating Shimadzu’s analytical and measuring instrument and medical system businesses from a single location, Shimadzu is creating a structure that allows it to respond seamlessly to customer needs across different fields. Leveraging its comprehensive capabilities to deliver services, Shimadzu aims to enhance customer satisfaction, strengthen its partnerships with key customers—such as universities that use both types of instruments—and raise brand awareness in Central America.

At the reception following the opening ceremony, live mariachi music and traditional Baile Folklórico dance were performed

 

Mexico: A Key Hub for Growth Connecting North and Central America

Mexico, the economic hub of Central America, shares a border with the United States to the north and is bordered to the south by Central American countries, including Guatemala. With a population of approximately 130 million—roughly the same size as Japan—this country has a high proportion of working-age people, and growth is expected to be driven by its young workforce.

In recent years, companies in sectors such as automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and food have established production bases in Mexico. As industrial activity expands, demand is also rising for analytical and measuring instruments and medical systems that support product quality control and healthcare.

Local Base Enables Integrated Support

Until now, analytical and measuring instruments in Mexico have been supplied through Shimadzu’s U.S. sales subsidiary, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments (SSI), while medical systems have been supplied through its Brazilian sales subsidiary, Shimadzu do Brasil Comércio Ltda. (SBL).

With the establishment of SMX, these two businesses can now be run from a single location, enabling it to provide an integrated solution from sales through to after-sales support. Distributors and customers will also be invited to SMX’s analytical and measuring instrument laboratory for instrument demonstrations and training. Using Spanish, the primary language of business in Central America, Shimadzu will provide detailed and attentive support in explaining instrument operation and handling issues.

SMX’s analytical and measuring instrument laboratory

Young Employee Builds Trust Locally

In the commemorative photo of the opening ceremony, it was Tanaka of the Analytical & Measuring Sales Unit, International Sales Department, Shimadzu Corporation who beamed a smile of great satisfaction. Immediately after the launch of SMX, when the sales structure was not yet fully in place, she traveled to Mexico to provide on-site support.

Reflecting on that time, Tanaka said: “With support from expatriate staff, I visited 50 customers—mainly Japanese-affiliated companies—together with local distributors, and was able to build relationships with new customers and distributors.

As Spanish is the primary language in business, I made calls in my limited Spanish and, with help from distributors when needed, arranged appointments. Through these visits, I realized that many customers place strong emphasis on the support structure. I also saw firsthand that the presence of a Shimadzu sales subsidiary in this country itself builds significant trust.

In the Analytical & Measuring Sales Unit, we don’t often have the opportunity to interact directly with customers on a daily basis. Given that, visiting customers in Mexico alongside our distributor and hearing their feedback firsthand was an incredibly valuable experience. In addition, on my days off, I was able to deepen ties with staff at local distributors and experience Mexican culture and customs.”

It was the accumulation of these small, day-to-day efforts at the grassroots level that has enabled SMX to get off to a strong start.

Comment from SMX President Satoru Jimbo