Guillermo Fernandez
Guillermo Fernandez is the Chief Executive Officer of FUMEC, the United States-Mexico Foundation
for Science. FUMEC promotes binational collaboration in science and technology to solve problems
and address opportunities for both Mexico and the United States.
Previously, Fernandez served as Deputy Director of the National Council for Science and Technology
(CONACYT), where he created scientific and technological information services for industry. He
worked as a researcher and engineer at the Federal Electricity Commission in Mexico (CFE). He was
Executive Director of the Electrical Research Institute (IIE) in charge of more than 200 innovation
projects.
Fernandez has actively participated in Mexican and international professional organizations such as the
Mexican Association of University Mechanical and Electrical Engineers (AIUME), Mexican
Association of Mechanical and Electrical Engineers (AMIME) and Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He is Member of the Cross-border Institute for Regional Development
(CBIRD), and Member of the Advisory Board of the National Science Resources Center (NSRC). He
has participated as Advisor for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA).
Fernandez’s education includes Electrical, Mechanical Engineer Bachelor, Physics Bachelor from the
National University of Mexico (UNAM) and Engineering Economics Systems M.Sc. from Stanford
University. He also coursed the IPADE’s Program for CEOs.
The Academy of Science of France has awarded him with the PurKwa Prize 2008, because his
enthusiasm in fostering programs about scientific education for children in Mexico.
Cali-Baja MegaRegion manufacturing issues
(Opportunities for the Jacobs School of Engineering)
Guillermo Fernández de la Garza
Origin of FUMEC
Congressman
George E. Brown Jr.
was Chair of the
Committee on
Science, Space and
Technology of the US
House of
Representatives
(1920-1999).
The Foundation was created in 1992 in
the framework of NAFTA and under the
leadership of Congressman George E.
Brown, as a binational non
governmental body, to promote and
support science and technology
collaboration between both countries.
To achieve its goals, FUMEC organizes
its activities in three programmatic
areas:
1) Innovation Driven Economic
Development,
2) STEM Education; and
3) Health, Environment and Energy.
Binational Board of Governors
Warren Baker, Chairman.
 Juan López de Silanes, Vice-Chairman.
 Karl A. Rüggeberg, Treasurer.
 Francisco Barnés de Castro, Immediate Past
Chairman.
1. Leopoldo Rodríguez, Consultant and Entrepreneur.
2. José Luis Fernández Zayas, Director del SNI.
3. Cristina Loyo Varela, President at LANIA.
4. Silvia Hernández, President-Associate of Public
Strategy Consultants.
5. Cipriano Santos, Senior Scientist at Hewlett-Packard
Laboratories.
6. William Harris, President and CEO of Science
Foundation Arizona.
7. Bernard Robertson, Senior Vice President at
DaimlerChrysler Corp.
8. Misael Uribe, President at Médica Sur
9. Thomas Bowles, Executive Director at New Mexico
Computing Applications Center.
10. Néstor Montoya, Advisor at TIAA-CREF.
11. Pedro Romero Torija, President of the Border
Economic Zone–Tijuana.
Current state of manufacturing innovation in
Baja California,
» Very few companies have formalized innovation
manufacturing processes
» Many have important manufacturing innovations
based on local process improvements
» Several dozen have now formalized design and
engineering processes, employing 1,000+
engineers,
» There are exemplary cases like SKYWORKS and
Robert Bosch
Potential for Cali Baja as a hub for
manufacturing innovation
» The manufacturing experience and the advanced research
capabilities of the region makes it a fertile ground for
manufacturing innovations
» The following trends are having a big influence
 Accelerated shift from jobs intensive to engineering intensive
manufacturing
 Needs for closer links between product design and
manufacturing experience
 Increased dependence of networks involving suppliers,
competitors, Business-Technology support organizations,
universities and research organizations
 Industry – University Consortia that are opening networking
and collaboration opportunities at regional, national and
international levels.
•
Opportunities for the Jacobs School of Engineering
» Leader in building a shared, binational region,
manufacturing innovation vision
 Participating in studies about conditions and trends in
local manufacturing
 Relevant Technology trends analysis
 Participating in regional events like Tijuana Innovadora,
Manufacturing Day, etc.
 Leading cooperative industry – university initiatives
involving local companies, universities and regional
economic development agencies.
Opportunities for the Jacobs School of Engineering
» Key player in advanced regional manufacturing
education and research
 Showing trends
 Facilitating improvements
 Partnerships with Baja California Universities and
companies
Cali-Baja Business Advantages
•
NAFTA Corridor
•
Strong IP protection
•
•
•
Flexible cost structures with just-in-time production
capabilities
Technological innovation driven by the more than 90
public and private research centers
Skilled Bi-lingual Workforce
San Diego’s manufacturers
• Specialize in prototype development and just-in-time
delivery.
• Many of the products that are made in the San Diego region
offer the customer better oversight and more opportunities
for collaborative approaches to product development.
• This makes “near shoring” a viable option (as opposed to “off
shoring”). Additionally,
• China:
» With production costs rising due to higher employee wages,
» Reduction in government subsidies,
» Higher fuel costs,
Manufacturing in China is not as profitable as it was previously.
Baja California
Important Manufacturing Hub
• 81 Industrial Parks
• Over 800 large manufacturing plants
• Electronics, aerospace, automotive, medical
devices, clean energy, biotechnology, food,
furniture,
• Most of the large world companies
FUMEC´s involvement
• Studies about Baja California companies:
» “Análisis Situacional y de Necesidades de la Industria en
Mexicali, en relación a Ingeniería y Diseño”
• Worked with 25 companies in innovation and technology
development projects, looking for Mexican Government
funds.
• Interactions of firms with external research and
development groups of Mexico or the United States.
» has been involved with Skyworks, Honeywell Aerospace,
Ensenada Port Services,
» Thee are others where we have not been involved as
Carefusion and Honeywell Turbo.
• Baja California State Innovation Agenda
Design and Engineering in Baja Calilfornia
• Mexicali, 23 companies in are doing engineering
and design related processes;
» two more are in the process of establishing their
departments
» 1,000 + Engineers working in D&E
• Tijuana, 10 companies
• Ensenada and Tecate 6 more
• These companies have submitted proposals to
CONACYT (PEI, Avance, FIT) and other funds to
support R&D+i
FUMEC - SKYWORKS
• FUMEC has participated in SKYWORKS collaborative programs
with local universities involving:
» Setting up research laboratories
» Research and development projects
» Teachers preparation
» Spin-offs ,
• Some specific results of the SKYWORKS model:
» Improvements in manufacturing processes
» Improvement in suppliers products
 adhesive for electronic components,
» improvements in end customer products such as
 integrated faraday cage,
 multistacking, among others.
A very succesful Industry – University model
The SKYWORKS Scientific Summers
University Researchers spend summer in plant
Work with improvement teams,
After evaluation committee, research projects are selected
Partnerships with universities,
Support of the Mexican government for research proposals
and training of specialists. (funds such as PEI or FIT)
• Results include:
•
•
•
•
•
 Implementation in the plant
 Start ups
 Patents,
Product development
• Robert Bosch Tool division located in Mexicali, is
developing product for end user.
» Their design department is in charge of the entire process,
from gathering design features of the market until the
launch of the product.
• There are some companies that design components
that are integrated to its customers' products using
customer design rules
» Accuride,
» Carefusion,
» Martech, among others.
Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers
I/U CRC - NSF
• Honeywell Aerospace is involving UABC and CETYS in
the I/U CRC on Advanced Non Ferrous Alloys for
Structural Applications (CANFSA)
» projects with Colorado School of Mines and North
Texas University
» a student is already in Colorado
» the MOU is ready to be signed.
• The IUCRC model will bring a new way of generating
collaborative research,
New U.S. – Mexico Programs
• MUSEIC and FOBESII:
»
»
»
»
Dept. of State, Dept. of Commerce, Dept. of Education
NSF, NIH
Universities & Community Colleges
Mexican Couonterparts
• Mexico- United States Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Council (MUSEIC)
• Bilateral Forum on Higher Education Research and
Innovation (FOBESII)
Thank You!
([email protected])