Almost 35 years ago, a change in the US taxcode charging import duties only on the labor-value added on products coming from Mexico, generated the development of the so-called Maquiladora industry, today one of the largest foreign currency and jobs generators for the Mexican economy. Originally intended as "twin plants" near both sides of the US-Mexico Border to allow repetitive low-skill assmebly work to be carried out by low wage labor on the Mexico side, with finishing and quality control on the US side, today a Maquiladora plant as often as not contains state of the art equipment, trained skilled labor, and delivers quality on par or better than any plant in the "developed world".

TTT has for over 10 years promoted the concept of establishing a "Living Wage Maquiladora" Plant to medium/large size firms in the USA and Europe, made even more attractive by the arrival of the NAFTA (North America Free Trade Agreement). TTT firmly believes that the US-Mexico Border separating the "first" and "third" world, can be a place where profitable business can be structured while bring infrastructure, training, technology, education, jobs and self-esteem to the developing Mexican communities.

TTT's focus area for Maquiladora development is the State of Sonora/Mexico, and especially the adjoining cities of Nogales/Arizona/US and Nogales/Sonora. With a combined population of 400,000 the Nogales area is home to more than 100 major maquiladora plants from many Fortune 500 firms (ITT, Baxter, Motorola, etc.). Other cities in Sonora where TTT has project contacts are Hermosillo, Ciudad Obregon and Guaymas/Empalme (deep sea port).

TTT has cooperated with other firms to carry out the development of one of the newest Nogales/Sonora Industrial Parks "Ambos Nogales," headquarters to several major US firms. TTT is also working with BorderLinks to establish Incubator Industrial Parks for small/medius size firms specializing in alternative technologies.

Our Design/Build Turnkey Program includes all project phases:

• Master Planning: site analysis/utilization and land planning

• Architecture: regulatory code/zoning analysis, rezoning and conditional use approval processes, design planning, manufacturing equipment planning

• Industrial Engineering Project Management: advanced Critical Path scheduling methods to assure on-time/in-budget delivery, including:
  • form follows function customized to client specific production needs
  • facility space programming
  • production flow analysis
  • detailed plant layouts
  • budgets and bid packages
  • move planning/implementation
  • materials handling and warehouse design

• Construction Management: Site development, core shell construction, high grade finishes, industrial drops and utility connections, pre-engineered buildings, isolated machine foundations, superflat floors, mechanical/electrical systems, cleanrooms, control centers, equipment relocation/installation services.

• Fast-Track Early Coordination with all Subcontractors to assure firm start-date for each project

• Global Adherence to Highest Quality US standards: NEC, BOCA, FM, UBC, etc.

TTT believes the following industry sectors have a strong future in the Mexico Maquiladora format to serve the North American as well as Mexico markets:

• (alternative) energy generation equipment
• food processing
• environmental cleanup equipment
• low cost housing and construction materials
• specialty medical devices
• select electronics assembly