At the 2025 North Capital Forum, Emilio Cadena, CEO of Prodensa, joined a panel of industry experts to explore the deeper structural issues shaping the future of North American manufacturing. Alongside other executives from Prodensa, Cadena participated in a conversation that went beyond traditional nearshoring debates. This blog is part of a content series bringing key takeaways and insights from our team and panelists at the North Capital Forum—focused on what international investors, manufacturers, and supply chain leaders need to know now to build long-term success in North America.
Chameleon: Transforming Industries, Empowering Communities. Panelists from telecom, fintech, and emerging tech joined forces to discuss how innovation is transforming industries and communities—highlighting the role of cross-sector collaboration in driving inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Modern manufacturing depends on digital infrastructure—and North America is falling behind. While the region benefits from a strong consumer market and physical logistics backbone, gaps in broadband coverage and spectrum regulation threaten its ability to lead in smart manufacturing.
According to Mónica Aspe, CEO of AT&T Mexico, the region lags significantly behind Asia in digital infrastructure, particularly in 5G readiness. This isn't just about slow Wi-Fi or video buffering.
To support nearshoring and regional competitiveness, Aspe emphasized that North America needs regulatory alignment and investment incentives. The upcoming USMCA review in 2026 presents a critical opportunity to harmonize frameworks across Mexico, the U.S., and Canada—ensuring that data, goods, and infrastructure flow seamlessly across borders.
Connectivity alone won’t secure North America’s nearshoring advantage. Energy availability—and the future of smart grids—is emerging as the next big challenge.
Panelists agreed that North America is blessed with abundant natural resources, but suffers from a lack of coordinated planning. Investors are no longer asking, "Is there power on site?" They’re asking, "Will there be reliable, sustainable power in five years?"
The transition to clean energy and digital manufacturing demands an interconnected grid powered by real-time data. That’s where digital and energy infrastructure intersect. As Aspe noted, "The smart grid needs smart connectivity."
To unlock this, the region must move beyond three separate energy agendas and commit to a unified North American energy strategy.
While AI offers immense promise for industrial automation and productivity, it also introduces serious vulnerabilities. Nick Pickles from Tools for Humanity warned that the rise of deepfakes and machine-generated content threatens business integrity.
In a manufacturing context, this risk touches everything from IP protection to financial fraud. Imagine hiring a remote engineer who turns out to be a synthetic persona or a CFO authorizing a transfer based on a deepfake video call. These are no longer hypothetical scenarios—they’re already impacting multinational corporations.
As nearshoring continues and cross-border digital interactions increase, trust and authentication tools will become essential infrastructure for manufacturers in Mexico and across the region.
The region's education system is not keeping pace with technological change. Nicole Valentine from the Milken Institute and Aspe both stressed the need to rethink how we train the next generation of industrial talent.
For companies doing business in Mexico or setting up a turnkey operation, this means evaluating local talent pipelines and investing in upskilling initiatives. Without a future-ready workforce, the promise of AI-powered manufacturing cannot be fulfilled.
One of the most powerful insights from the panel was the call to move from "country content" to "regional content" in North American manufacturing. Mónica Aspe emphasized that intermediate goods produced anywhere in the region add value to the whole.
This perspective reframes how we think about shelter services in Mexico and the role of each partner country under the USMCA. By embracing a regional mindset, companies can build more resilient supply chains and drive innovation across borders.
Nearshoring success requires digital and energy infrastructure that keeps pace with manufacturing needs.
Cross-border connectivity is essential for a seamless supply chain—and must be addressed in the 2026 USMCA review.
AI readiness includes not just automation, but protection against cybersecurity threats and deepfakes.
Workforce development must evolve to match the pace of industrial innovation.
A shift toward regional trade content can unlock more integrated and efficient supply chains across North America.
Whether you're exploring employer of record solutions, shelter services in Mexico, or a turnkey manufacturing operation, the future of North American competitiveness will depend on the region’s ability to align strategy, infrastructure, and talent.