Last February, Super Transporte Internacional (STI) reached its first 33 years of operation, where all the knowledge of its founders, who have a little more experience in the motor transport industry, is imprinted.

And although this anniversary was achieved in a complex industry cycle, the experience of its management team and its collaborators, as well as the company’s fundamentals , have been key to overcoming a challenging 2025 , and remaining solid in the face of an uncertain 2026 , but one that promises a better scenario.

“2025 presented us with a scenario that no one could have predicted, and that impacted the international transit of goods, which is our main market. With tariffs, particularly on steel and aluminum, we were forced to be creative and agile in our response to reposition the team and seek organic growth with clients in other areas,” Ángel Hernández Gaytán, CEO of STI (number 13 in the Top 100 of Autotransport® ), told T21.

The executive noted that although STI has faced other critical moments throughout its history, such as the 2008-2009 subprime mortgage crisis in the United States, which had a global impact, or the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the company’s fundamentals were key to overcoming this period.

“We have a solid client portfolio that allows us to serve them effectively, but we have also built long-term relationships; with some of our clients we have been working for over 20 years . This also extends to our employees ; some have been with us almost since the company began and continue to be involved,” added Ángel Hernández, who joined STI in 2001.

In the context of the trade war, according to figures from the United States Department of Commerce , Mexico contributed 15.3% of the total trade of that country , consolidating itself as the main trading partner above Canada and well above China.

The border crossing remains the main point of entry between the two countries, totaling $353.94 billion in 2025, driven by a 7.7% increase in Mexican exports to the United States, which reached $227.11 billion. Conversely, exports from Mexico to the United States contracted by 1.11%, settling at $126.83 billion.

The positive trend has continued for the first two months, according to comments by Ángel Hernández, and according to STI’s operations in both periods, there is growth compared to the same cycle in 2025.

Given this market, which is expected to recover, some of STI’s strengths, as identified by its CEO, include financial discipline , which is currently a key asset. Since most of its revenue is in dollars, and the “super peso” (a reference to the strong peso) , this has an impact on its financial structure that must be managed with clients.

“It forces us to be close to our clients and make them aware of this reality of currency losses. We have been negotiating especially with those who operate spot routes ; with those whose routes we have contracted, it is more complex, but we are looking for ways to compensate. Ideally, we want to operate within the range of 20 pesos per dollar,” Hernández Gaytán explained.

Based on data from the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) , the highest exchange rate in 2025 was 20.85 pesos per dollar , reached on March 6 of that year, and if compared against the level reached on March 9, 2026, the exchange rate difference is -15.2 percent .

This situation may have an impact on the search to modernize the fleet and keep it current, an effect that for STI was not so profound, since in 2024 they had made the pre-purchase of units considered to incorporate into the fleet in 2025.

In 2025, the company’s focus was on the trailer team , “which served the growth of our divisions, both specialized and dry van for international and local market movements, as well as to support the logistics divisions,” described Ángel Hernández.

In addition, a key aspect of STI’s strategy is the institutionalization of the company, where, although some management positions are held by family members, there is a professional rigor to ensure they remain in their positions.

This factor is fundamental to conveying certainty to customers and various stakeholders about the path the company will follow over time.

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El cargo A 33-year-old chassis allows STI to tackle complex cycles apareció primero en T21.

The 50% increase in tariffs on steel and aluminum imposed by the United States government has begun to generate uncertainty among logistics operators, especially those linked to the movement of materials for heavy industry, according to Ángel Hernández Gaytán , general director of Super Transporte Internacional (STI) .

“We have been affected, especially in the case of steel. We move a lot of raw materials, such as coils and profiles that are exported from Mexico to the United States, and we have noticed a decrease in movements at plants that handle large export volumes, mainly due to the high 50% tariff,” Hernández explained.

The impact also affects aluminum , whose application is transversal to various industries. “So many goods aren’t made with aluminum, always soda cans, beer cans; nowadays, there’s a high tariff on everything,” he added.

Hernández also noted that the trucking industry expects a prompt solution from the Mexican government and recalled statements by “Marcelo Ebrard, Secretary of the Economy, that there was a discussion and a dialogue with the American authorities to reduce the impact of the 50% tariff.”

According to the Ministry of Economy (SE) , in 2024 the total commercial exchange of iron or steel articles reached 20 thousand 694 million dollars (mdd) , with exports for nine thousand 797 million dollars and imports for 10 thousand 897 million dollars .

The United States remained the main destination for these Mexican exports, with $7.763 billion , followed by Canada and Saudi Arabia. Nationally, Nuevo León, Veracruz, Coahuila, and Tamaulipas were the states with the highest international sales of these products.

Hernández also acknowledged that the measure has had consequences for the sector:

“Yes, there is an impact. Although we’ve already said it, there’s an imbalance in Mexico, right? The trade balance is in favor of the United States over Mexico. But even so, exports continue to have a significant impact, speaking of our trucking sector and transporters located at strategic border points,” he noted.

The most immediate consequence, according to the executive, is uncertainty in decision-making. “It hasn’t allowed them to develop long-term plans. Today, those plans are changing every 20 or 30 days based on new news and what’s coming.”

Ángel Hernández believed that uncertainty will persist as long as the groundwork for renegotiation is not clearly defined. “Until the basics and a direction are established, that’s when we’ll have the certainty the entire market needs.”

The tariff increase was officially announced by the United States government on June 4, when it doubled the tax on imported steel and aluminum from 25% to 50% .

The measure, promoted by the Donald Trump administration , is intended to strengthen domestic production of these inputs, although it has been described as “unfair” and without legal basis by Mexican authorities.

In response, the Mexican government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has held meetings with U.S. officials seeking a solution that would reduce the bilateral impact.

Meanwhile, industry organizations such as the National Chamber of the Iron and Steel Industry (Canacero) and the National Chamber of the Aluminum Industry (Canalum) have warned of the risks to cross-border trade and the supply chain, especially in strategic sectors such as trucking.

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El cargo Steel and aluminum tariffs slow trucking operations apareció primero en T21.

For more than two years, Expedited Specialized Logistics (ESL) has been moving step by step toward a goal: obtaining AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) accreditation .

It was a task that included audits, observations by the Tax Administration Service (SAT) , meetings between areas, compliance processes, and a constant effort to align the entire operation with the security and traceability standards required by international trade .

The result arrived this year and not only represents a technical validation , but also a strategic tool for the company’s growth.

“It was a long and complex process. From the moment we started until we obtained accreditation, it took two years,” Ángel Hernández , general director of STI México and ESL, explained to T21.

Although it was born as part of STI , a firm initially specialized in maritime and air logistics services , ESL has grown to establish itself as an operator with its own identity , Hernández commented.

In recent years, the company has added ground freight operations , including fifth-wheel units , and has its own customer base.

In that context, having OAS accreditation was more than a goal: it was an operational necessity .

“Many of our clients move merchandise to ports or abroad. For them, security in the logistics chain is a priority,” Hernández noted.

The AEO accreditation guarantees that the company complies with the legal and fiscal requirements imposed by the Mexican Customs Authority (SAT); it also facilitates benefits such as the use of FAST lanes (fast lanes in customs for reliable companies), recognition by other international customs authorities , and better opportunities with large corporations , he explained.

But the journey doesn’t end there. “This accreditation is an important step toward obtaining CTPAT (Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) certification ,” Ángel Hernández said.

With that goal in mind, ESL is seeking to further strengthen its position as a reliable operator with U.S. authorities , aiming to consolidate itself as a fast-paced company with international standards , the executive emphasized.

Looking ahead to the second half of 2025, ESL will focus on accelerating its growth , especially in its specialized cargo and dry van divisions , he explained.

Despite belonging to the STI Group, the company “maintains a conscious effort to operate with its own standards and ensure regulatory compliance , without compromising the reputation of the group to which it belongs,” Hernández emphasized.

The learning process has been cross-cutting. Everyone from the quality department to the traffic department was part of the process.

The accreditation was made possible “thanks to the coordinated work of a specialized security and compliance team , which was responsible for aligning all operational areas (from quality to traffic and dispatch) to ensure that internal processes met the requirements demanded by the authority,” according to Hernández.

Today, with OAS accreditation in hand, ESL is better positioned compared to its competitors , seeking secure, traceable logistics that are prepared for the new challenges of international trade , he emphasized.

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El cargo OEA Accreditation, a key step for ESL growth apareció primero en T21.

The history of this company is not measured in trucks, but in strategic decisions , resilience, and a true passion for service.

“We don’t want to be the biggest, we want to be the best.” That phrase isn’t an improvised slogan. It’s a motto Hernández learned in the halls of the company his family founded. And he doesn’t just repeat it: he lives it.

Founded in 1993, STI was born from the foresight of Ernesto Gaytán Palomo, who knew how to interpret the new commercial map and decided to establish the company as a public limited company.

Since then, the company’s specialty has been crossing borders, both physical and operational, with its own team, door-to-door solutions, and a binational approach between Mexico and the United States.

Hernández formally joined the team in 2001, after having worked in various areas such as maintenance, administration, customer service, and sales. He earned his academic training while learning in the field, and beyond titles or positions, he developed a leadership style that prioritizes respect , closeness, and balance. “We don’t cross lines here. We walk alongside the team,” he explained.

Under his leadership, STI has weathered economic challenges, the impact of the pandemic, and the ups and downs of political decisions in the United States.

“These are environments that don’t depend on you, but rather on how you decide to deal with them,” he said. From these shocks, lessons have emerged that today allow us to maintain a stable operation with sound finances.

The company currently maintains a fleet of more than 500 units , but its trailer fleet has grown exponentially , especially in the last three years. It was also recognized at the T21 Group’s 2024 Transportation Awards and earned the Drive Is Great certification for its commitment to best practices and continuous improvement.

STI’s operations have historically been linked to specialized transport: open platforms, oversized trucks, and multi-axle modular vehicles , designed for complex loads requiring precision and terrain knowledge. Other segments have been added to this line, such as the dry van segment , which has been growing steadily.

This diversification of services was a natural response to customer demand. Demand spoke, and the company listened. Thus, quietly, it consolidated new routes without abandoning its specialty.

Despite having structure, clients, and growth plans, STI faces a challenge: insecurity and a shortage of operators.

Far from sitting idly by, the company created its own training institute , with top-level simulators and alliances with institutions such as the Industrial Work Training Centers (Cecati) and technological universities.

“We want to train professional operators from within. That’s a very serious commitment,” Hernández stated.

Among the goals for 2025 is the renewal of 15% of the vehicle fleet , and the consolidation of this new generation of professional operators .

In addition, land has been acquired in Monterrey to build a new terminal , continuing the infrastructure investment strategy that has been strengthened in recent years.

But beyond the numbers, there is a line that defines the heart of the company: always being there.

“We don’t disappear when there are problems. We stay. We respond on weekends and holidays, when others don’t,” he said.

That attitude not only generated trust, but also opened doors with clients who hadn’t previously been on their radar.

Today, STI is part of a group that includes more than 13 companies between Mexico and the United States, and has more than 600 employees on the Mexican side alone.

Some measure their success in tons and kilometers traveled, but others, like STI, measure it in trust earned, trained operators, and well-made decisions. They don’t seek to be the biggest, they seek to be the best, and that, perhaps, is the most difficult path, but also the most solid.

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El cargo STI and its commitment to being, serving and supporting apareció primero en T21.

In the cumulative period from January to September of this year, trade between Mexico and the United States that was operated through the Laredo border port accumulated 254.4 billion dollars (mdd) , an increase of 5.74% compared to the same cycle in 2023, according to the United States Department of Commerce .

The commercial dynamics between Mexico and the United States motivate a logistical dynamic in Laredo that is not only manifested in the movement of transport units, but also in storage capacity.

Aware that infrastructure is key to serving a demanding market, Super Transporte Internacional (STI) maintains the dynamic of renewing its fleet of tractor trucks to maintain an average age of four years and even reduce it.

To end the year with this dynamic, STI will receive from now until the rest of the year a total of 30 Kenworth T680 and T880 tractor trucks to renew the fleet of its two market divisions: specialized cargo and dry vans.

Based on information obtained from STI, Kenworth del Río Bravo made the symbolic delivery of the first 30 units that will be integrated into the STI fleet, and which are aimed at renewing the vehicle fleet.

“The units are intended to renew the fleet that we are bringing out, both for the dry box division and for the specialized one,” said Ángel Hernández, general manager of STI. With these deliveries, the color of the tractor-trailers will be defined according to their applications, “the white ones will be to identify the dry box operation, while the black ones will be for our specialized division.”

Given the configuration of STI’s operations, 60% of them are focused on the specialized transport division , while the remaining 40% is concentrated on dry box operations, in all cases with a presence in the commercial exchange between Mexico and the United States.

Recently, STI integrated 10 International LT tractor trucks , which are focused on the growth of the specialized division.

As part of the delivery of the Kenworth tractor-trailer fleet, the occasion was taken to unveil the commemorative plaque in honor of Felipe Gaytán Palomo, founder of STI, who passed away last June. As part of the recognitions made, the plaque is located on the classic 1971 Kenworth tractor-trailer, the date that coincides with Felipe Gaytán’s birth.

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El cargo MODERN FLEET, KEY TO PROGRESS IN THE STI MARKET apareció primero en T21.

Imports of capital goods used to increase productive activity in Mexico are maintaining a positive pace. According to figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), for the period January to April, imports of capital goods total 20.5 billion dollars (USD), marking an increase of 16.4% compared to the same period in 2023 and 41.6% compared to 2022.

This situation has led to an increased demand for services at Súper Transporte Internacional (STI) in the open equipment segment, which is geared towards specialized services, particularly during the second quarter of 2024 (2Q24). Ángel Hernández Gaytán, Deputy General Director of STI, mentioned to T21 that there has been a rise in these operations during this period.

Open equipment pertains to machinery and instruments used in manufacturing or maintaining equipment, such as robotics, presses, and generators, all essential for plant openings or expansions,” Hernández Gaytán elaborated.

Within STI’s structure, 60% of its operations are generated by the specialized equipment division, while the remaining 40% is contributed by the dry van unit, which is also involved in Mexico’s trade with North America.

“The movement of dry van for regular cargo in import/export activities has been balanced during the first five months of the year, despite not experiencing exponential growth, the flow has been maintained,” highlighted Ángel Hernández.

Regarding exchange rate movements, where the peso has depreciated against the dollar, the executive recalled a long period of adverse relations, thus benefiting primarily companies operating on the border.

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El cargo STI takes Advantage of Increase in Manufacturing Plant in Mexico apareció primero en T21.

Fatalities and serious injuries caused by road safety incidents have been considered a pandemic, due to the results seen internationally, and Mexico is no exception.

By 2030, road safety objectives aim to reduce fatalities and serious injuries by 50%, as part of the Decade of Action for Road Safety. This goal requires efforts on all fronts.

Super Transporte Internacional (STI) Mexico is on this path. “Since the end of 2023, STI began its operational restructuring, with the aim of improving and establishing a comprehensive approach to road safety, making a significant investment in training, strategic business partners, and better incentive plans for operators,” commented Ángel Hernández Gaytán, deputy general director of STI Mexico.

In an environment where road safety is increasingly prioritized, STI Mexico (No. 16 in the Top 100 of Autotransporte®) has undertaken a significant process towards ISO 39001 certification for road safety management. Recognizing the need to adopt international standards, a strategic partnership with Quálitas was established to strengthen their efforts in this area.

STI Mexico’s commitment to road safety is reflected in the creation of a Road Safety Committee, responsible for directing and supervising all initiatives related to safety in their cargo transportation operations, where the alliance with Qualitas has been fundamental, for their support in specialized road safety training for the operator staff.

“We are firmly committed to road safety, recognizing it as a fundamental pillar for the protection of our drivers and the preservation of the integrity of our customers’ cargo. We believe that the rigorous implementation of road safety measures not only optimizes the efficiency and punctuality of our operations but also strengthens our customers’ trust in our services. Safety is undoubtedly an essential component in all our activities,” specified Hernández Gaytán.

On the road to ISO 39001, STI operators receive specific instruction on regulations and best practices in road safety. Training sessions, facilitated by Quálitas experts, not only enhance the technical skills of drivers but also promote a culture of safety on the roads.

In this way, Quálitas collaborates in the design and implementation of strategies to reduce the risks of traffic accidents. Their experience in road safety complements STI Mexico’s efforts to comply with ISO 39001 standards.

Thus, the alliance between STI Mexico and Quálitas marks a significant advancement in improving road safety in cargo transportation, which will result in obtaining ISO 39001 certification. “With this, it reaffirms its commitment to road safety and the well-being of all those involved in cargo transportation in Mexico,” highlighted Ángel Hernández Gaytán.

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El cargo Sti Mexico Ramps up Road Safety Efforts, Pursuing Iso 39001 Certification apareció primero en T21.