COTO CONTRACT MANUFACTURING (CCM) – WHO WE ARE
More than 25 years ago, Coto Technology, the parent company of Coto Contract Manufacturing (CCM), launched its successful facility in Mexicali, Mexico.
Now, through Coto Contract Manufacturing (CCM) – a division dedicated to strategic partnerships – Coto leverages its robust infrastructure, experienced engineering team, extensive product development expertise, and highly skilled workforce to deliver a wide range of precision hand and automated assembly services.
Located just 2.5 hours from San Diego, this site now serves as a central hub for engineering, manufacturing, assembly, and testing of many Coto products.
Couple that with advanced communication systems and an integrated transportation network by air, land and sea, and Mexicali is a mecca for high tech industry.
Mexicali is home to six universities and 12 technical trade schools. Inhabited by nearly one million people, there are 180,000 workers with skills ranging from basic manpower to highly specialized professionals.
OUR PARENT COMPANY – COTO TECHNOLOGY
Coto Technology Inc. provides advanced switching and magnetic sensing solutions to a world-wide customer base. Coto originated in Providence, Rhode Island, USA in 1917 as Coto Coil Incorporated – a company specializing in the design and manufacture of coil windings. Coto’s reed relay & reed switch manufacturing facility is located in Mexicali, Mexico. The company is world renowned for its ingenuity, experience and profound knowledge/understanding of magnetics and switching/sensing.
For more than 60 years, Coto Technology has been providing cutting edge, innovative reed relay solutions including several industry “firsts” such as the low-thermal EMF relay and the world’s first (and smallest!) surface mount relay.
Today, Coto is a leading manufacturer of small signal switching products sold into the Automatic Test Equipment, Data Acquisition, Instrumentation, Process Control, Telecommunications, Medical and Security markets. Non-standard package sizes and pinouts, custom coil and shielding designs, and multi-pole configurations are common variables.
Additionally, Coto’s engineers are continually developing new product designs – supporting customers with new, innovative switching solutions in emerging markets requiring high voltage reed relay solutions such as green energy, EV, high-end medical equipment, etc.
TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Coto has the most advanced testing capability of any reed relay manufacturer. After the relays have been assembled, assurance of their conformity to specifications is accomplished through 100% testing.
From the production line to the executive office of the company President, Coto’s commitment to quality is evident - as manifested by its world class products. Coto is certified to ISO-9001:2008. Additionally, Coto’s environmental policy and controls are compliant with internationally accepted standard manufacturing practices aimed at reducing the effect of manufacturing activities on the environment. All Coto standard products have transitioned to RoHS compliant versions.
Coto operates in an environment of structured problem solving, using cross-functional teams for product development planning and continuous improvement processes. These team efforts combined with active customer involvement ensure product designs that meet or exceed customer needs. Continuous production monitoring is accomplished through the use of Statistical Process Control (SPC) and other quality practices such as FMEA’s (failure mode and effect analysis), PPAP’s (production part approval process) and zero acceptance sampling are used for analysis and monitoring of key parameters. Coto’s quality philosophy and discipline provide the building blocks for its reputation as the world leader in quality small signal switching products.
Coto tests relays to the highest standards in the industry using its proprietary “System 320” Parametric Tester. The System 320 is capable of testing over 20 different parameters of the relay and recording the results of each test for each relay. This information can be retrieved in the form of Histogram graphs, Individual Results reports or Pareto Failure Analysis reports.
Results from the test systems are networked in real time, allowing immediate access to statistical data on product performance and quality. Coto emphasizes Pareto-style graphical ranking of yield data, allowing for quick identification and resolution of problem areas. This aids the analysis of the relay’s performance over time and continuous quality improvement.
Throughout the manufacture of Coto switches, a zero failure acceptance testing system is used for each critical process step.
The mechanical and chemical properties of the switches after process stages such as plating, diffusion, sputtering, sealing and forming are inspected to ensure conformance to required specifications. Prior to shipment, 100% of the switches produced are electrically checked for AT value and contact resistance.
Our life testing laboratories can cycle relays or switches while applying a wide range of load voltages and currents.
Relays are concurrently tested up to one billion cycles. The effects of surge currents from reactive loads can be included. Failure data is analyzed using Weibull techniques to allow accurate prediction of MCBF (mean cycles before failure), and the confidence limits that apply. Coto also has a sweep frequency life tester designed to probe reed switch blade resonance and its effect on long term contact resistance.
More advanced tests include Paschen voltage breakdown to detect switch seal breakdown, and an automated tester designed to determine the contact welding resistance of reed switches. Coto is also equipped with high-end digital oscilloscopes and network analyzers, to meet the increasing demand for relays with RF bandpass above 10 GHz.
Coto also maintains a highly-capable failure analysis laboratory that performs electrical testing, cross sectioning, x-ray, chemical and microscopic inspection, helium leak test and element analysis.
Coto is an ISO-9001 certified company. Our facilities comply with ESD and all pertinent safety and environmental regulations. Our product portfolio meets RoHS international standard and product safety agency approvals from UL and CSA. Additionally, Coto is dedicated to promoting the principles of Lean Six Sigma - a disciplined, data-driven approach and methodology for eliminating defects and systematically removing waste.
Finally, Coto has a robust organizational structure with a highly skilled and qualified staff in all job functions. The company continuously promotes the development of its employees through well-defined training and certification programs.
BENEFITS OF MANUFACTURING IN MEXICALI
Mexicali, Mexico is a well-established center for high-tech manufacturing, recognized for its skilled workforce and cost effective production and assembly of components.

Highlights of What Mexicali Offers:
> Integrated Transportation and Communication Infrastructure: A fully developed transportation network air, land, and sea, alongside robust communication systems including telephone, fax, satellite, microwave, and direct computer networking.
> Reliable Logistics Support: Government and private transportation services ensure efficient movement of goods and services between suppliers and clients.
> Strategic Cross-Border Connectivity: Fast and efficient transportation of imports and exports between the United States and Mexico.
> Higher Education and Technical Training: Mexicali is home to six universities and twelve technical trade schools, with the largest school enrolling over 20,000 students across various disciplines.
> Collaboration Between Industry and Education: Universities and technical institutes partner with companies to develop specialized training programs and projects that align with industry needs.
> Diverse and Skilled Workforce: Approximately 180,000 workers are available, ranging from general labor to highly specialized professionals.
> State-Led Workforce Development: The government supports ongoing training and education programs to continually raise workforce standards.
> School-Industry Partnership Programs: Initiatives that help align labor force development with the evolving requirements of the industrial sector.
> Support for Employer Training: Through the National Employment Service, companies can receive financial support to offset the costs of customized employee training.
The city offers a strong infrastructure and support system that contributes to its reputation as a reliable industrial hub.