The logistics ecosystem of the Bajío region continues to consolidate with the training of specialists in the field, which has been reaffirmed with the graduation of the second generation of the Executive Diploma in Logistics , an effort that is part of the alliance between the  Cluster for Logistics Innovation of Querétaro (CILQRO) , the Arkansas State University Campus Querétaro , and the Secretariat of Social Development (Sedesu) of Querétaro . 

On January 8, the second generation of the diploma program, whose godmother was Magdiel Mata, from the company  Dana , graduated 74 people, who are professionals in the sector and received eight months of intensive and high-level training , Carlos Canseco, general director of CILQRO, told T21. 

According to the executive, the program’s model is inspired by the triple helix – industry, academia and government – but he expands it to five pillars, incorporating society as a direct beneficiary and funding as an essential catalyst. 

“Without resources, the best projects remain on paper,” he emphasized, while highlighting that the diploma program is a living example of how crowdfunding transforms ideas into real impact. 

The online diploma program is free for Mexican participants and is sponsored by member companies of the cluster. The initiative covers the instructors’ fees, as they are all active logistics professionals. To enroll, interested individuals must submit an essay explaining their reasons for wanting to participate. 

The program, which is practical and experiential, consists of eight modules and covered various topics to strengthen logistics knowledge, including strategic purchasing, warehouses and distribution centers, customer service, and foreign trade, which were taught by specialists such as César García, from Uber Freight ; Mónica Fragoso, from Unilever ; Aarón Malagón, from DHL Global Forwarding , and others. 

Of the 102 initial enrollments, 74 graduates were able to access the diploma program, surpassing the 55 of the first generation, which reflects the growing interest in strategic logistics in the country. 

“Since it is a management diploma program that covers new global and local trends, we are very selective in choosing who will take it, because only logistics professionals with at least 10 years of experience working in logistics can take it, so we make a selection process that takes into account the profiles,” Canseco pointed out. 

The central objective of this initiative is to standardize the “logistics language” in Mexico and in the region of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) , fostering more robust and competitive supply chains.  

In the regional context, the diploma program fits into the Queretaro cluster ecosystem (automotive, aeronautical, manufacturing, technology, energy, medical and wine).  

Beyond the academic 

The diploma program also serves as a  high-level networking hub . By bringing together executives from companies like Dana, Mabe , and others with local suppliers, it generates synergies that extend beyond the academic sphere. 

These interactions have resulted not only in shared learning, but also in commercial alliances and direct sales between participants, strengthening the regional economic fabric. 

USMCA and a challenging year 

2026 is shaping up to be a challenging year due to the review of the USMCA and economic uncertainty. In light of this, Canseco emphasized that the response must be competitive logistics based on optimized costs and genuine collaboration between industry and suppliers .  

“Whoever best organizes their logistics and collaborates will have the strongest supply chains,” the executive stated.

Despite the global labor market showing signs of slowing, Canseco expressed optimism about Querétaro’s resilience, as this state is distinguished by its advanced cluster structure, which generates a constant demand for logistics services. 

The specialist announced that following the success of the diploma program, the third generation will begin in April 2026 , and highlighted that Mexico is a leader and a benchmark to be replicated in logistical matters. 

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QUERÉTARO, QRO.- This state has become a laboratory where opportunities and risks converge for Mexican logistics. During the monthly breakfast of the Mexican Intermodal Transport Association (AMTI) , specialists agreed that intermodalism —the combination of modes such as rail and trucking—is no longer a complement, but an urgent need in a country whose infrastructure is facing saturation limits and where the shortage of truck operators threatens to hinder competitiveness .

Carlos Ramírez, an economic analyst, outlined the structural framework: “The country’s infrastructure is collapsing, particularly freight trains, which are already saturated .” His warning aligns with the so-called Plan Mexico, which positions logistics as a strategic sector, along with the automotive, energy, and aerospace industries. However, the challenge is financial: “The plan will remain up in the air if the private sector is not brought to the table to invest in logistics and infrastructure,” he emphasized. In this regard, intermodality appears to be an immediate solution to alleviate the pressure on road transport, which is increasingly vulnerable to the lack of skilled labor and rising costs.

From a trade union perspective, Yolanda Esquivel, general director of AMTI, emphasized the importance of Querétaro as a key hub for the intermodal network. “We are very happy to come to Querétaro because it is a key hub for our industry. We have representatives from Silao, San Luis Potosí, Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Toluca (…) Querétaro is also a growing industry .” Her vision is that the future of the sector cannot be sustained through isolated efforts. Therefore, AMTI is promoting a strategy of broad collaboration with clusters, chambers, and associations. “Always contributing, which is what we must do more of,” she stated. The message is clear: in an environment of regulatory, fiscal, and labor uncertainty, the only way forward is through inter-institutional cooperation that generates critical mass.

Carlos Canseco, general director of the Querétaro Cluster for Logistics Innovation (CILQRO) , provided a business-regional perspective. He emphasized that the state functions as the “lung of Mexico City” thanks to the convergence of two railroads, Highway 57, and more than 25 industrial parks . These advantages have positioned Querétaro as a magnet for new investment. But Canseco also hit the nail on the head: “Intermodal transport is growing, definitely growing; the lack of trucking operators is driving its use significantly, and more and more companies are considering it as a real alternative for moving their cargo.” The boom, however, faces a cultural obstacle: “There is still a lot of misinformation within the industry about how useful and beneficial intermodal transport can be for logistics chains.”

The consensus among the three speakers is that Mexico cannot miss the wave of nearshoring (the relocation of production lines to consumer centers). Repositioning supply chains toward North America requires reliable and scalable logistics solutions. Without intermodal logistics, opportunities could be diluted by road transport bottlenecks or the tense renegotiation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), where rules of origin and anti-China clauses add uncertainty. “Behind Plan Mexico is the idea of ​​boosting logistics, because without logistics, nearshoring is impossible,” noted Carlos Ramírez.

AMTI has insisted that its mission is to convince more companies to integrate intermodalism into their operations. This requires forums and ongoing training that debunk myths and demonstrate with data the benefits in efficiency, costs, and sustainability . Canseco summarized: “One of the biggest areas of opportunity is to hold more events of this type, where the industry can participate and disseminate the benefits of intermodalism, because we need more companies to see it as a strategic option in their business models.”

The challenge, however, is no small one. Specialists warn that the country’s economic growth has remained stagnant at an average of 2.1% annually for the past three decades, while the fiscal deficit has reached levels not seen in 35 years. Against this backdrop, the consolidation of intermodality will depend on logistics associations, the private sector, and the government articulating a common agenda that ensures infrastructure, financing, and clear rules .

Time is running out: the nearshoring window of opportunity could close faster than Mexico decides whether to seriously commit to intermodal.

With information from Osiel Cruz Galindo / Sent .

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Given the economic uncertainty that marks 2025, the Mexican trucking sector is facing a turning point . The threat of a global slowdown, the volatility of trade relations, and the effects of U.S. protectionism are all factors shaping a complex scenario. But at the same time, this storm can act as a natural filter to eliminate bad practices among both carriers and logistics service users.

There are actors in the sector who warn that more than a visible economic contraction, what we are experiencing is widespread misinformation, as stated by Carlos Canseco, director of the Querétaro Logistics Innovation Cluster (CILQRO).

“There’s talk of a recession, but the numbers don’t reflect it yet. The vehicle fleet is still moving, automakers are requesting service, and operations continue,” Canseco says.

However, he acknowledges that there are tangible impacts, such as pressure from Chinese brands in the automotive sector and the return of Mexican operators from the United States, which could lead to improved local practices and standards.

This slowdown scenario requires professionalizing the sector, according to Enrique González, president of the Guanajuato Logistics and Mobility Cluster (CLYMGTO) .

“We’re training entrepreneurs in finance, communication, the circular economy, and corporate governance. Transportation doesn’t disappear; it transforms. And those who don’t evolve will be left out of the market,” he says.

If you’d like to continue reading this business story, please visit the June 2025 issue of T21 magazine  by clicking here to view the electronic version .

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