You Can’t Build What You Can’t See
One of the most dangerous assumptions in supply chain planning is that the parts you need will be there when you need them. That someone, somewhere, is already making them. That all the tools and materials you’ll need to run a backend line — substrates, thermal compounds, packaging kits — are just one purchase order away.
But backend operations don’t work like that. Especially not in a place that hasn’t done them before.
So the first step to building a resilient ATP ecosystem in Sonora isn’t to break ground or court suppliers. It’s to map what matters — and figure out what we’re missing.
The Real Work Starts with a List
This sounds boring. It’s not.
Mapping input needs means sitting down and figuring out — in precise terms — what a backend operation actually consumes. Not in the abstract, but in SKUs, lead times, and dependencies.
What substrates do OSATs need for different packages? Which gases, compounds, and protective films are non-negotiable? What kind of thermal interface materials are used in testing? Who makes them, where are they based, and how often do they run into shortages?
This process doesn’t just populate a spreadsheet. It defines the universe of opportunity for Sonora’s manufacturing sector. It tells us what kinds of capabilities we should be building — and just as importantly, what not to chase.
Why This Matters
Every serious manufacturing strategy starts by asking: What would break us if it didn’t show up?
That’s especially true for ATP, where backend firms live and die by their ability to move fast, integrate globally, and avoid delays. Even small hiccups in the supply chain — a delayed shipment of lead frames, a shortage of traceability-compliant labels — can ripple into major production slowdowns.
It’s not just about what’s missing — it’s also about what’s overly concentrated. Many ATP-critical inputs are sourced from a handful of suppliers in Asia, creating single points of failure. Our map needs to show not only what Sonora lacks, but where North America lacks redundancy.
For Sonora, mapping ATP input needs is how we future-proof the system before it exists. It’s how we:
Spot gaps early — before they become risks to investors.
Identify entry points for Sonoran suppliers with transferable capabilities.
Target high-leverage opportunities for local or regional production.
Give global ATP firms confidence that we know what we’re doing.
And maybe most importantly, it’s how we avoid the trap of building supply chain infrastructure that looks good on paper but doesn’t match what real companies actually need.
From Map to Playbook
This mapping effort won’t just sit on a shelf. It will directly shape:
Supplier audits
Capability assessments
Technical assistance programs
Matchmaking efforts with global buyers
Even the design of industrial parks and logistics hubs
In a world where geopolitics and supply shocks can redraw the map overnight, the regions that stay competitive are the ones who know their inputs cold — and act before others do.
If we want Sonora to become a critical backend node, we need to start by mapping its critical supply nodes. That’s not the sexy part of the story. But it’s the part that makes the rest of the story possible.
Are you a manufacturer in Sonora?
We're mapping the inputs that global ATP companies rely on — and identifying local suppliers who can step in, scale up, or adapt.
If you think your company could play a role, we want to hear from you.
Join the Supplier Mapping Effort →
