Why New Mexico for Advanced Manufacturing
New Mexico has built a diverse advanced manufacturing ecosystem spanning bioscience and medical devices, food and beverage, value‑added agriculture, aerospace and space systems, energy technologies, electronics, and consumer products. The state’s mix of top research institutions, a fast‑growing manufacturing workforce, and pro‑business tax structure positions companies to launch, expand, and reshore operations with lower risk and greater long‑term competitiveness.
What does New Mexico manufacture?
New Mexico’s manufacturing base covers semiconductors and electronics, solar cells and panels, aerospace and defence components, automotive and electric vehicle parts, medical device packaging, precision machined components and industrial equipment. The sector employs approximately 27,800 people and is supported by a 5 to 10 percent investment tax credit on qualified manufacturing equipment.
- Semiconductors and electronics, anchored by Intel’s Rio Rancho campus, the state’s largest private manufacturing employer
- Solar and clean energy manufacturing, including Maxeon Solar Technologies and Ebon Solar
- Aerospace and defence components, supported by the national laboratories and the state’s military installations
- Automotive and electric vehicle components, including Hota Industrial Manufacturing’s first United States plant
- Medical device packaging, including Prent Corporation at Santa Teresa
- Precision components and industrial equipment
Manufacturing in New Mexico by the numbers
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing employment | Approximately 27,800 |
| Investment Tax Credit for Manufacturers | 5 to 10 percent of qualified equipment and property |
| Industrial electricity | 5.43 cents per kWh, against a US average of 8.13 |
| Business inventory tax | None |
| Corporate income tax | Flat 5.90 percent |
| National laboratory employment | Approximately 34,000 combined |
Employment: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2026. Electricity: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2024. Tax rates: Tax Foundation, 2026.
Manufacturing employment of 27,800 is modest in absolute terms, and the useful framing is technical depth relative to size: a state of under a million workers hosting two national laboratories, a major semiconductor campus and the first United States plant of a Taiwanese automotive supplier.
Manufacturers that have chosen New Mexico
| Company | Origin | What they make | Commitment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel | United States | Semiconductors | Rio Rancho campus, 2,500 to 5,000 employees |
| Hota Industrial Manufacturing | Taiwan | Automotive transmission gears for EV makers including Tesla | First US factory, Santa Teresa, 350 jobs |
| Maxeon Solar Technologies | Singapore | Solar cells and panels | Albuquerque, up to 1,800 employees |
| Ebon Solar | International | Solar cell manufacturing | 900 jobs, $942.4 million |
| Prent Corporation | United States | Medical device packaging | Santa Teresa, 85 jobs, $12.5 million |
| Kairos Power | United States | Advanced nuclear reactor technology | 100 jobs, $269.8 million |
Deep, Specialized Talent Pipeline
New Mexico offers a talent pool of more than 180,000 workers with experience in advanced manufacturing, production, logistics, and construction, supported by ongoing upskilling and credentialing programs. Companies also tap one of the nation’s highest concentrations of scientists and engineers thanks to institutions like Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and leading universities that feed directly into manufacturing and R&D operations.
Manufacturing Incentives that Reduce Risk
Targeted incentive programs further lower the cost of new facilities, expansions, and technology upgrades. Key tools include:
Investment Tax Credit for Manufacturers, providing a 5.125% credit on qualified equipment that can be applied against several state taxes.
Alternative Energy Product Manufacturers Tax Credit for companies producing components and systems for renewable and alternative energy.
Additional state and local incentives tailored to job creation, training, and rural or strategic locations, coordinated through the New Mexico Economic Development Department and local partners.
Types of Advanced Manufacturing in New Mexico
New Mexico’s advanced manufacturing landscape includes both established and emerging sectors where companies are finding strong fits for production, R&D, and distribution. Representative focus areas include:
Food and beverage, including value‑added agriculture and specialty products.
Wood, paper, and printing, serving regional and national customers.
Petroleum, coal, chemicals, and advanced materials.
Primary metal, fabricated metal, and machinery components.
Computer, electronics, and semiconductor‑related manufacturing.
Electrical equipment, appliances, and components for industrial and consumer use.
Medicine, medical devices, and bioscience production.
Transportation, furniture, housing materials, and a wide range of consumer goods.
Example Advanced Manufacturing Companies
Leading manufacturers are choosing New Mexico for large‑scale, next‑generation facilities that require reliable talent, strong infrastructure, and competitive costs. Recent announcements include a major solar manufacturing project by Ebon Solar and significant investments in advanced packaging, aluminum can production, and food processing by global and domestic firms.