Data standardization, traceability of origin, intermodal efficiency and operational digitization marked the presentations of the winning projects of the 2025 National Logistics Award (PNL) , granted by #SoyLogístico Association , and whose representatives shared the results and lessons learned that led them to obtain this recognition from the sector.

The winning projects of the PNL reflected a clear trend in Mexican logistics as enablers of efficiency, resilience and competitiveness in increasingly complex supply chains.

GS1  Mexico promotes logistics interoperability

Juan Pablo Gómez, Director of Product and Service Development at GS1 Mexico , presented the project focused on creating a standard for the exchange of logistics data , particularly within the framework of the regulation of the Waybill.

He explained that in 2023 around 10 billion CFDI (Digital Tax Receipts via the Internet) were generated , which demonstrates the magnitude of the challenge to structure reliable information on the movement of goods. 

To date, more than 1,500 companies have been trained , strengthening interoperability and reducing time and friction in the logistics chain. GS1 announced that this database enables future initiatives such as Smart Transport , which will centralize traceable information using a single QR code identifier.

Mexican Honey & Bee Company: Traceability from the apiary to the consumer

Eduardo Moreno , general director of Mexican Honey & Bee Company , presented the comprehensive traceability project , which allows the identification of the origin of the product from the hive, the operator and the batch, to the point of sale .

The company  has integrated standards to meet health and regulatory requirements, even in complex logistical contexts such as rural areas with limited infrastructure in Hidalgo.

Moreno highlighted that the digitization of traceability made it possible to reduce operating and auditing costs , as well as facilitate access to international markets.

Grupo México Transportes: intermodal crossdock to reduce port costs

In the logistics provider category, Grupo México Transportes (GMXT) was recognized for its international intermodal crossdock project , presented by Hoshi Jurado , AVP Intermodal.

The model, implemented at the Tepalcates terminal , allows for the transfer of 20- and 40-foot shipping containers to 53-foot rail containers , reducing delays, storage, and congestion at the port of Manzanillo.  The terminal, located 36 kilometers from the port, can move up to 200 containers daily on a single train .

Among the reported benefits are logistical savings of between 20% and 38% , a 71% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions , and a 443% increase in service usage.  GMXT emphasized that this is a pioneering model in Mexico, with plans to replicate it in Veracruz and Altamira.

Daimler Truck Santiago Plant: Digitalization in the face of production complexity

Representatives from Daimler Truck Santiago Plant showed how the incorporation of new truck models , with more than 11,000 additional part numbers , led to the development of digital tools to manage risks and material flows in real time.

The plant created platforms that integrate planning, warehousing, and line fulfillment, which are now also used in other group operations in Mexico and the United States. The use  of kanban, kitting, sequencing, just-in-time, and autonomous robots (AMR) enabled operational continuity in a highly customized environment.

Onest Smart Logistics: growth with a customer -centric approach

Finally, Onest Smart Logistics , through José Antonio García Trejo , Director of New Business Development, presented the Hisense supply chain consolidation project , highlighting that the differentiator was not the infrastructure, a logistics center that grew from 60,000 to 95,000 square meters (m2 ) , but a strategy based on customer centricity .

The operator explained that proximity to the customer, shared risk-taking, and operational flexibility were key to consolidating multiple operations into a single master center, making customer experience the main driver of expansion.

It is worth remembering that the Tameme awards of the National Logistics Prize were presented in November 2025.

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In the logistics industry, talking about digitalization is no longer an option, but a necessity. However, true transformation occurs when technology adapts to the operation and not the other way around, as explained by César Galindo, Director of Technological Solutions at Onest Smart Logistics .

Galindo shared how the company has gone from using Excel spreadsheets to developing its own systems that now manage millions of daily transactions, with a focus on security, flexibility, and empowering its team .

“Everyone talks about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data , but the real challenge is identifying what’s useful and what isn’t. Our customers’ information is precious, and if we upload it to a cloud without control, it can become a risk. For us, the priority is ensuring data security and governance,” he explained.

The company’s evolution has been what its director calls an “organic” process. Like most operators, they started with Excel to control small warehouses, but as they grew into larger warehouses, which today total more than 600 thousand square meters (m2) in Mexico, and thousands of SKUs (code that identifies a product), it was necessary to design a custom solution .

The company decided to invest in developing its own management system, One System , built from the ground up based on its processes, allowing them to respond to the specific needs of each client.

“We don’t depend on third parties. If they ask us for a different arrangement, we do it. Flexibility is key,” Galindo noted.

The company currently operates with Oracle databases in the cloud, with redundancy in Mexico and the United States.

This way, operations remain online even in the event of contingencies, complemented by a robust cybersecurity framework that includes AI filters, facial recognition, geolocation, and biometrics for warehouse access.

On the other hand, far from the view that automation replaces personnel, Onest Smart Logistics seeks to make technology an ally.

“We want to empower our people to work faster, more accurately, and at a lower cost. AI and digital systems are a support, not a replacement,” Galindo emphasized.

To this end, the company has implemented key innovations in its operations, such as real-time dashboards for managers and customers, allowing them to view orders, productivity, and fulfillment times.

Additionally, as part of facilitating the work of its employees and operations, it is in the process of incorporating glasses with vision and voice that provide instructions to operators and allow them to work hands-free.

In addition, it is beginning to use image-recognition drones for inventory , which incorporate software developed by the company itself.

The company’s technological vision focuses on the strategic integration of hardware , software , and artificial intelligence, with a guiding principle of data security and reliability.

“The future of logistics lies in real-time information and the ability to adapt to the extreme customization that consumers demand. Our role is to ensure that customers receive secure, flexible, and scalable solutions,” Galindo emphasized.

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In an increasingly challenging logistics environment, Onest Smart Logistics shared its expertise in areas such as technology and security during a tour of its facilities in Tultitlán, State of Mexico. José Antonio García Trejo, the company’s Director of New Business Development, noted that security is not only a priority, but an urgent necessity given the increase in cargo thefts in Mexico .

According to figures from the Mexican Association of Private Security Companies and Satellite Industry (Amesis) , in 2024, 15,937 cargo transport robberies were recorded nationwide, which represented an increase of 9.15% and 9.18% compared to 2023. García Trejo pointed out that this phenomenon has directly impacted the company and its transport partners, which has motivated a profound transformation in its reaction and prevention capabilities.

Among its strategies are partnerships with technology developers to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its operations. These tools enable predictive routing, machine learning, and safer guidance for operators . Additionally, units have been equipped with smart sensors capable of blocking power flow, automatically closing doors, and issuing SOS alerts without human intervention, all of which seek to reduce risk in critical situations.

Beyond merchandise, the company has expanded its focus to protecting physical assets and, above all, operators, as insecurity has discouraged new generations of operators, he said.

“Each lost unit represents millions of pesos and an operational tragedy, especially in a country with a shortage of operators,” García emphasized.

With more than 40 partner transport lines, equivalent to a fleet of approximately 250 vehicles, Onest Smart Logistics makes nearly 3,000 trips per year . Although this figure represents a fraction of its installed capacity, the company is determined to scale its transportation operations proportionally to its 600,000 square meters (m²) of warehouse space, always with safety as its fundamental pillar.

Security in three parts

For his part, Carlos Gutiérrez Chávez, Transportation Security Manager at Onest Smart Logistics, presented the comprehensive protection model that the company has developed to address the challenges of freight transportation in Mexico, and explained that it is based on an 80-15-5 approach: 80% prevention, 15% reaction, and 5% recovery .

He also noted that security is a joint effort and emphasized the importance of collaboration with the C5 (National Guard), the National Guard , and municipal police. However, he indicated that public patrols are not enough: the key is to anticipate by analyzing routes, schedules, types of cargo, and crime patterns by area .

Regarding the highest-risk routes, he indicated that although the so-called “red triangle,” which encompasses Puebla, Tlaxcala, and Veracruz, continues to be mentioned, the State of Mexico currently represents the main source of danger.

“Security is not reaction, it is prevention, intelligence, and humanity,” Gutiérrez Chávez emphasized.

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In an environment marked by automation, digital transformation, the internationalization of services, and the impending reduction of the workday in Mexico , logistics and technology companies face a common challenge: attracting, developing, and retaining talent with technical skills, critical thinking, adaptability, and openness to change.

Today, more than specialists, they seek people capable of learning quickly, collaborating in multicultural environments, and staying relevant in a world where the only constant is transformation.

For Américo Flores , Director of Human Development at Onest Smart Logistics , the challenge begins with perception.

“Logistics has been viewed for years as the invisible part of the supply chain. We don’t have a logistics school as such, nor are we on the radar of young people as a sexy industry,” he noted.

This situation has become more critical in the face of direct competition with the manufacturing industry , which typically offers better salaries for workers and technicians.

“Today we are fighting for talent with a sector that has traditionally been stronger in its salary offerings and that also already has a place in the imagination of young people as a symbol of professional advancement,” he said.

Faced with this reality, Onest Smart Logistics has implemented internal training strategies, cross-training, and collaboration with technical schools to strengthen the dual educational model.

“The logistics operator of the future must understand automation, lean manufacturing (optimizing production), control systems, and even some basic programming. If we don’t prepare them for that environment, we’ll lose them,” Flores warned.

A similar view, albeit from a different angle, is shared by José Luis Guasco, partner responsible for the Consulting area at EY GDS Mexico .

This division is a global operation that exports professional services from Mexico to markets such as the United States, Canada, Europe, and Latin America.

“We are part of the knowledge industry. Our focus is on developing the best professionals, not only to serve the local market, but also to compete on a global stage,” Guasco explained.

EY GDS chose Mexico as its regional base of operations after analyzing factors such as talent availability, technological infrastructure, and proximity to key markets .

Today it has nearly 600 professionals in areas such as strategy, technology, advanced analytics, assurance, and quality, all working on projects for multinational clients.

“Multiculturalism is part of our daily work. We have professionals who work in English, but also in Portuguese, Italian, or French. Some even have to travel for weeks or months to collaborate directly with teams in the United States, Canada, or Europe. Therefore, in addition to technical knowledge, we look for people with resilience, proactivity, communication skills, and a desire to constantly grow,” he emphasized.

In this context, the approach to talent development is as important as its initial attraction.

EY GDS has built a mentoring model based on two key figures : one who guides new employees through their first 90 days, resolving basic questions, and the other who designs a personalized career plan with them, connecting them with project, technology, and industry leaders.

“We don’t expect someone to arrive with 100% of the necessary skills. If they have 60% or 70% of the necessary knowledge, we develop the rest with agile training programs and real-world project exposure. This accelerates their learning and prepares them to add value quickly,” Guasco commented.

On the other hand, Onest Smart Logistics works to reduce the learning curve through intensive practical training programs , where operators, supervisors, and technicians are trained in new digital tools and automated processes.

“Collaboration is essential. The ‘lone hero’ who saves the project in the last week no longer works. Today, we need constant communication, information sharing, and acting as a team from day one,” Flores added.

Mexico, still far from digital maturity, but with great potential

Despite the growth of digital initiatives, Guasco warned that only 1% of companies in Mexico have reached the digital maturity they set out to achieve, according to the report Digital Maturity in Mexico 2025 , prepared by EY in collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce .

“This speaks to a great opportunity for Mexican talent and for companies like ours. There’s a huge need for professionals with skills in artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, cybersecurity, application development, and cloud infrastructure management,” he said.

In both logistics and technology, talent is the scarcest and most valuable resource. But it’s no longer just about knowing how to operate a machine or program an app; it’s about being able to learn quickly, collaborate in global teams, adapt to constant change, and have a holistic view of the business .

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The nearshoring phenomenon (relocation of production lines to consumption centres) that has gained strength in recent years is redefining the dynamics of trade and production in the region, in which logistics plays a fundamental role.

Aldo López, Commercial Vice President of Onest Smart Logistics , explained that the evolution of nearshoring has led to a substantial transformation in the country’s industrial infrastructure.

Decades ago, warehouses were basic and poorly equipped. Today, Mexico has world-class distribution centers that meet the standards of the United States and Europe.

However, accelerated growth has created challenges, such as the temporary shortage of industrial warehouses in strategic regions such as Monterrey, Guadalajara and the Bajío .

“Mexico has made great progress in terms of the quality of its warehouses. Before, we had old facilities, but today, industrial warehouses in Mexico are first class and we compete head to head with developed countries,” said López.

Onest Smart Logistics has responded to this demand by building and operating technologically advanced warehouses , including bonded warehouses and strategically located distribution centers.

In addition, Lopez pointed out that they are investing in innovative solutions, even studying the use of drones for inventory management and the implementation of intelligent systems to optimize the supply chain .

López stressed that the future of the logistics sector is linked to the adoption of advanced technology .

Warehouse management systems (WMS), transportation management systems (TMS) and artificial intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing the industry, enabling demand prediction, route optimization and improved operational efficiency.

“Using artificial intelligence and our WMS and TMS systems, we can predict which products will move faster and which will remain stuck in inventory. This helps our customers make informed decisions,” Lopez explained.

In this sense, the growth of nearshoring poses challenges for the industry. For example, Aldo López mentioned the need to train personnel in areas far from large cities and improve transportation to connect distribution centers with rural areas.

Furthermore, although Mexico remains competitive in terms of labor costs, it is crucial to maintain a balance between labor reforms and the economic viability of companies.

“The main challenge will be training and logistics to bring workers to the new facilities. Many distribution centers are located outside of large cities, so we need to ensure that people are willing to travel,” Lopez said.

Despite these challenges, López is optimistic about the future of nearshoringin Mexico.

“With our strategic location, world-class infrastructure and advanced technology, Mexico is perfectly positioned to remain a leader in global logistics,” he said.

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The nearshoring trend (relocation of production lines) has enhanced Mexico’s logistics operations, allowing players such as 3PL ( Third Party Logistics ) Onest Smart Logistics to grow their volume and increase their logistics infrastructure.

Vania Imán, Marketing & E-commerce manager at Onest, told T21 that this year they began with approximately 500 thousand square meters (m²) of infrastructure in operation and will culminate with 600 thousand m² .

“We have had a lot of growth, we have several new clients in consumer, technology, fashion, so there are four new clients that help us expand, in addition, current clients that we have are also growing and are asking us for new distribution centers in different places in the world. country and growth in certain places of the (Mexican) Republic. The truth is that this year is very important in growth,” she assured.

Although more than 50% of Onest’s infrastructure is located in the State of Mexico, Vania Imán highlighted that they are currently focusing on Monterrey, where they have a new logistics center focused on nearshoring .

In this sense, the board indicated that this is a strategic market where the business can be expanded, in which there is security and technology.

On the other hand, Imán pointed out that they are also having an important presence in other points such as Tijuana , for example, which is another important point in their logistics.

Likewise, he detailed that Onest Smart Logistics, which began a new chapter characterized by a greater focus on technology, is already advancing in this line, with a team dedicated to developing it .

“Today we have a team of more than 40 systems people in terms of technology, information security technology, racks, picking systems, lighting systems, robotization systems, drones. Today there are many things in the world that we could be using, so we are dedicating a lot of effort, a lot of money to that aspect to see how we can make logistics flow in a simpler, better and faster way,” said Vania Imán.

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