Amid the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) , trade uncertainty has become a determining factor for companies operating in the region; however, beyond the political and tariff debate, there is one element that is making a difference: the adoption of technology in supply chains.
According to James Barroso , director of Strategy and Artificial Intelligence at Infor , this new environment is pushing companies to accelerate their logistics maturity , particularly in Mexico, where nearshoring has increased the pressure on operations.
“Volatility is the biggest challenge. Changes in the USMCA, tariffs, and the global context force companies to constantly rethink their logistics strategy,” he explained in an interview.
In this scenario, supply chain planning is no longer limited to moving products, but involves anticipating complex scenarios: from changes in tariffs to decisions such as bringing forward imports or modifying production.
The logistical dilemma
One of the main challenges companies face is deciding whether to bring forward imports to avoid tariffs or accept higher costs. The answer, Barroso warns, is not so simple.
“The problem is that many companies lack visibility into the total logistics cost. Bringing inventory forward means more storage, more transportation, and more management. In many cases, it ends up being more expensive than paying the fee,” he noted.
This dilemma is especially critical in the north of the country, where the availability of storage space is practically saturated, which raises logistics costs.
In response to this, artificial intelligence has become a key tool for simulating scenarios, calculating impacts, and making more informed decisions in real time.
Although Mexico has historically faced a technological gap, the landscape has changed significantly.
“If we compare it to five years ago, Mexico is a different country. Supply chains, processes, and industry have evolved very rapidly,” he stated.
This transformation has been driven by three main factors : migration to the cloud, adoption of specialized supply chain solutions, and the increasing use of artificial intelligence.
For Barroso, the first step is that ” companies that are not in the cloud are already behind .”
The second level involves incorporating solutions that allow for more precise management of the supply chain, while the third is the use of AI to anticipate disruptions and optimize operations.
The end of the “late adopter”
In this new environment, waiting is no longer a viable option.
Unlike in the past, where companies could afford to adopt technology late, today so-called early adopters are capturing clear competitive advantages.
“Companies that adopt technology first are the ones securing their market share. Those that wait end up reacting late and at a higher cost,” he warned.
Another structural change being driven by the review of the USMCA and regulations in Mexico is the requirement for greater traceability.
Sectors such as food and beverages have had to completely transform their processes to ensure the traceability of products from their origin to the final consumer.
“Traceability is no longer just about barcodes. It involves having all the data connected throughout the chain, with batch control, processes, and regulatory compliance,” he explained.
At this point, technology plays a dual role: it not only allows compliance with regulations, but also improves operational efficiency.
In this sense, beyond being a manufacturing destination, Mexico is also consolidating itself as a strategic technology center for the region.
Barroso highlighted that the country has become a hub for talent and technological services that even serves markets such as the United States and Europe.
“Growth has been very strong. Mexico is not only receiving investment, it is also exporting knowledge and technological capabilities,” he noted.
Regarding the direction of the USMCA, Barroso believes the process is moving forward, albeit with uncertainty. However, he emphasizes that companies cannot depend solely on government decisions.
“Waiting for everything to be defined is not a strategy. Companies must focus on where they can grow, on their capabilities, and on building resilience,” he stated.
In that sense, the combination of investment, technological adoption and business vision will be key for Mexico to capitalize on the nearshoring opportunity .
“The country’s growth potential is enormous. But taking advantage of it will depend on how quickly companies can adapt to this new environment,” he said.
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