LEÓN, GTO.- Insecurity is a latent challenge for cargo operators , since highway robberies are a growing problem that affects both companies and the economy in general, according to specialists in the Mexican logistics sector. 

In this regard, Enrique González, president of the Guanajuato Logistics and Mobility Cluster (CLYMGTO) , announced that the cargo and transportation business chambers are focused on assuming their responsibility and implementing preventive actions , while seeking closer collaboration with the authorities. 

“We are looking for preventive actions that will allow us to reduce the rate of highway robberies,” said González.

González explained that the National Guard ‘s Chimalli program , which seeks to respond immediately to reports of theft from cargo transporters on the country’s highways, has shown initial positive results in some regions of the State of Mexico and Puebla.

However, he stressed that the effectiveness of these measures can only be judged once security is achieved uniformly throughout the country , avoiding what he called the “cockroach effect.” 

“We are not interested in it falling in Puebla and heating up in other states; it is a problem that starts from the Rio Bravo to the Suchiate, and we want to reduce it throughout the republic,” said González. 

Along with the security challenges, González spoke about the shortage of drivers in the country , pointing out that the sector faces a shortage of more than 50 thousand drivers nationwide. 

In Guanajuato, one of the states with the highest density of logistics routes, this problem is especially critical, since four of the five most important trunk axes of the country cross through this region. 

“In Guanajuato we have one of the most outstanding driver training programs, where 90% of the graduates from the last 11 years are working in freight transport companies, mainly in Guanajuato, Nuevo León and Jalisco, but we still need more,” explained González. 

However, he regretted that approximately 10% of these trained drivers choose to emigrate to the United States in search of better opportunities, which worsens the lack of personnel in Mexico. “It is very unfortunate because we need them here,” he added. 

For his part, Cruz Isaac Muñoz Navarro, General Director of Road and Facility Security of the National Guard, highlighted the implementation of an exclusive hotline for transporters , designed to provide a quick response in cases of theft and avoid delays in traditional channels such as 911. 

“This line is exclusively for road transport and allows direct service, without intermediaries,” said Muñoz Navarro. 

He added that collaboration with companies is essential for the correct operation of this tool, which seeks to record incidents in real time for more effective intervention. 

Muñoz Navarro also explained that the National Guard has implemented other security strategies on roads, including coordinated operations in areas with high incidence of crime. 

Given the insecurity situation, González added that the key is shared responsibility and not “assigning blame .” He said that business owners must take an active role in controlling and coordinating the security of their routes, while authorities must comply with effective corrective and preventive measures. 

“It is about self-control and teamwork. It is not just about saying whether the rates have gone down or not, but about maintaining security throughout the logistics chain, from north to south and from coast to coast,” said González. 

In the meantime, the sector hopes that these initiatives can address immediate challenges and pave the way for safer and more efficient transport. 

These statements were made within the framework of the 2024 Transport Logistics Forum held in León, Guanajuato, where González also reiterated that the business sector will continue to implement its own controls to protect routes and ensure the continuity of its activity. 

Comment and follow us on X: @karinaquintero / @GrupoT21

El cargo Highway thefts remain a pressing challenge for Mexico’s logistics sector apareció primero en T21.

The general director of the Coordinator for the Promotion of Foreign Trade (Cofoce) , Luis Ernesto Rojas Ávila, said that although Mexico is close to the US market and has a privileged geographic position, it attracts less than 5% of the companies that have left China , compared to competitors such as India and Vietnam.

“Mexico has a privileged strategic position. However, so far less than 5% of all that has been repatriated outside of China has arrived in Mexico. Nearshoring arises in the midst of the trade war between the United States and China, which has expanded into a national security dispute that is practically at very advanced levels,” explained Roja Ávila.

This context presents a structural change in international trade, with a growing demand for integration in supply chains outside Asia. Rojas Ávila said that November 5 will be a turning point for the global economy , due to the elections in the United States, which could “rewrite a new chapter in the world economy,” affecting import policies and favoring or limiting the entry of Chinese products.

This situation puts Mexico in a strategic position to become a “ supply hub for the United States and Europe .”

However, according to the director of Cofoce, there are still barriers that limit full integration, which is why he urged strategic decisions to be made so that Mexico is not only an assembly country, but a key player in high value-added supply chains .

“Mexico’s worst enemy is Mexico itself; we need to react. The opportunity is there, but we have to really take advantage of it,” Rojas Ávila said.

During his presentation, Rojas Ávila showed a graph with the US industrial focus projected towards 2030, where sectors such as high technology, artificial intelligence and human transport drones predominate .

He stressed that the United States will begin to abandon the manufacturing of certain basic products, “everything that has to do with manufactured basic products, coal, machinery , even the entire issue of fashion, footwear and clothing,” he explained.

This reconfiguration in the United States opens opportunities for Mexico to become a supplier of these lower-value but high-demand products.

Rojas Ávila also identified strategic sectors, such as aerospace, agriculture and electromobility, which are key to the US economy and offer great opportunities for Mexico.

He explained that these industries depend on skilled labor and a continuous supply of components, due to US restrictions to avoid dependence on China.

Meanwhile, in the agricultural sector, he said that companies in the United States have begun to opt for ready-to-eat products , due to the lack of personnel in the restaurant sector.

“Instead of buying fresh products, they now need products that are ready to serve. Don’t sell me broccoli anymore, don’t sell me asparagus anymore, rather sell it to me in a salad that is already cut and washed,” Rojas Ávila exemplified, on how the American market is looking for alternatives that Mexico could offer.

The director also highlighted the interest of European companies, especially from Spain and other countries of the European Union, in establishing alliances with Mexico in the context of euroshoring .

This trend arises due to high costs and rising inflation in Europe , which is encouraging the relocation of production to more accessible countries such as Mexico.

In this context, Spanish companies began to partner with Mexican producers to develop and export high-value products such as artichokes and other ready-to-eat foods, taking advantage of the logistical advantage offered by Mexico.

Rojas Ávila also highlighted a recent case: “The largest artichoke company in Europe comes to Mexico and says: we are going to develop it, harvest it and sell it as a ready-to-eat product.”

Rojas Ávila also stressed the importance of integrating Mexican micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) into global supply chains, which are currently disconnected from large transnationals.

He mentioned that according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) , 75% of the inputs used by multinational companies in Mexico are imported, which limits the participation of local MSMEs in these value chains.

“If we fail to integrate MSMEs, nearshoring will fail without providing any significant benefits for the country. Companies must acquire certifications and comply with international quality standards to take advantage of this opportunity. The pieces are already there; all we have to do is fit them together,” said Rojas Ávila.

Regarding the aerospace industry, he stressed that Mexico is already emerging as an important center for this industry, especially in the manufacturing of components and advanced technology services.

“Let me tell you that the largest investment in the entire aerospace and aeronautical industry, including engines, interiors, exteriors, is coming to Mexico,” Rojas Ávila shared.

He said the aerospace sector pays high salaries and requires long-term commitments and significant technology transfer.

He said that this represents a boost for Mexican talent, but also demands that the country offer adequate conditions for investment.

Rojas Ávila also urged young people and entrepreneurs to adopt a long-term vision that positions Mexico as a competitive country , capable of taking advantage of the economic transition that nearshoring implies.

“We cannot continue selling ourselves as a country with cheap labor. It is time to go out into the world, prepare ourselves and change the international perception of Mexico,” he said, encouraging those present at the 2024 Transport Logistics Forum to think about how the country can differentiate itself on a global level.

Comment and follow us on X: @karinaquintero  / @GrupoT21

El cargo Mexico must capitalize on nearshoring to boost its economy: Cofoce apareció primero en T21.

LEÓN, GTO.- Insecurity is a latent challenge for cargo operators , since highway robberies are a growing problem that affects both companies and the economy in general, according to specialists in the Mexican logistics sector. 

In this regard, Enrique González, president of the Guanajuato Logistics and Mobility Cluster (CLYMGTO) , announced that the cargo and transportation business chambers are focused on assuming their responsibility and implementing preventive actions , while seeking closer collaboration with the authorities. 

“We are looking for preventive actions that will allow us to reduce the rate of highway robberies,” said González.

González explained that the National Guard ‘s Chimalli program , which seeks to respond immediately to reports of theft from cargo transporters on the country’s highways, has shown initial positive results in some regions of the State of Mexico and Puebla.

However, he stressed that the effectiveness of these measures can only be judged once security is achieved uniformly throughout the country , avoiding what he called the “cockroach effect.” 

“We are not interested in it falling in Puebla and heating up in other states; it is a problem that starts from the Rio Bravo to the Suchiate, and we want to reduce it throughout the republic,” said González. 

Along with the security challenges, González spoke about the shortage of drivers in the country , pointing out that the sector faces a shortage of more than 50 thousand drivers nationwide. 

In Guanajuato, one of the states with the highest density of logistics routes, this problem is especially critical, since four of the five most important trunk axes of the country cross through this region. 

“In Guanajuato we have one of the most outstanding driver training programs, where 90% of the graduates from the last 11 years are working in freight transport companies, mainly in Guanajuato, Nuevo León and Jalisco, but we still need more,” explained González. 

However, he regretted that approximately 10% of these trained drivers choose to emigrate to the United States in search of better opportunities, which worsens the lack of personnel in Mexico. “It is very unfortunate because we need them here,” he added. 

For his part, Cruz Isaac Muñoz Navarro, General Director of Road and Facility Security of the National Guard, highlighted the implementation of an exclusive hotline for transporters , designed to provide a quick response in cases of theft and avoid delays in traditional channels such as 911. 

“This line is exclusively for road transport and allows direct service, without intermediaries,” said Muñoz Navarro. 

He added that collaboration with companies is essential for the correct operation of this tool, which seeks to record incidents in real time for more effective intervention. 

Muñoz Navarro also explained that the National Guard has implemented other security strategies on roads, including coordinated operations in areas with high incidence of crime. 

Given the insecurity situation, González added that the key is shared responsibility and not “assigning blame .” He said that business owners must take an active role in controlling and coordinating the security of their routes, while authorities must comply with effective corrective and preventive measures. 

“It is about self-control and teamwork. It is not just about saying whether the rates have gone down or not, but about maintaining security throughout the logistics chain, from north to south and from coast to coast,” said González. 

In the meantime, the sector hopes that these initiatives can address immediate challenges and pave the way for safer and more efficient transport. 

These statements were made within the framework of the 2024 Transport Logistics Forum held in León, Guanajuato, where González also reiterated that the business sector will continue to implement its own controls to protect routes and ensure the continuity of its activity. 

Comment and follow us on X: @karinaquintero / Sent / @GrupoT21

El cargo Highway robberies, a latent challenge for the logistics sector in Mexico apareció primero en T21.

The general director of the Coordinator for the Promotion of Foreign Trade (Cofoce) , Luis Ernesto Rojas Ávila, said that although Mexico is close to the US market and has a privileged geographic position, it attracts less than 5% of the companies that have left China , compared to competitors such as India and Vietnam.

“Mexico has a privileged strategic position. However, so far less than 5% of all that has been repatriated outside of China has arrived in Mexico. Nearshoring arises in the midst of the trade war between the United States and China, which has expanded into a national security dispute that is practically at very advanced levels,” explained Roja Ávila.

This context presents a structural change in international trade, with a growing demand for integration in supply chains outside Asia. Rojas Ávila said that November 5 will be a turning point for the global economy , due to the elections in the United States, which could “rewrite a new chapter in the world economy,” affecting import policies and favoring or limiting the entry of Chinese products.

This situation puts Mexico in a strategic position to become a “ supply hub for the United States and Europe .”

However, according to the director of Cofoce, there are still barriers that limit full integration, which is why he urged strategic decisions to be made so that Mexico is not only an assembly country, but a key player in high value-added supply chains .

“Mexico’s worst enemy is Mexico itself; we need to react. The opportunity is there, but we have to really take advantage of it,” Rojas Ávila said.

During his presentation, Rojas Ávila showed a graph with the US industrial focus projected towards 2030, where sectors such as high technology, artificial intelligence and human transport drones predominate .

He stressed that the United States will begin to abandon the manufacturing of certain basic products, “everything that has to do with manufactured basic products, coal, machinery , even the entire issue of fashion, footwear and clothing,” he explained.

This reconfiguration in the United States opens opportunities for Mexico to become a supplier of these lower-value but high-demand products.

Rojas Ávila also identified strategic sectors, such as aerospace, agriculture and electromobility, which are key to the US economy and offer great opportunities for Mexico.

He explained that these industries depend on skilled labor and a continuous supply of components, due to US restrictions to avoid dependence on China.

Meanwhile, in the agricultural sector, he said that companies in the United States have begun to opt for ready-to-eat products , due to the lack of personnel in the restaurant sector.

“Instead of buying fresh products, they now need products that are ready to serve. Don’t sell me broccoli anymore, don’t sell me asparagus anymore, rather sell it to me in a salad that is already cut and washed,” Rojas Ávila exemplified, on how the American market is looking for alternatives that Mexico could offer.

The director also highlighted the interest of European companies, especially from Spain and other countries of the European Union, in establishing alliances with Mexico in the context of euroshoring .

This trend arises due to high costs and rising inflation in Europe , which is encouraging the relocation of production to more accessible countries such as Mexico.

In this context, Spanish companies began to partner with Mexican producers to develop and export high-value products such as artichokes and other ready-to-eat foods, taking advantage of the logistical advantage offered by Mexico.

Rojas Ávila also highlighted a recent case: “The largest artichoke company in Europe comes to Mexico and says: we are going to develop it, harvest it and sell it as a ready-to-eat product.”

Rojas Ávila also stressed the importance of integrating Mexican micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) into global supply chains, which are currently disconnected from large transnationals.

He mentioned that according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) , 75% of the inputs used by multinational companies in Mexico are imported, which limits the participation of local MSMEs in these value chains.

“If we fail to integrate MSMEs, nearshoring will fail without providing any significant benefits for the country. Companies must acquire certifications and comply with international quality standards to take advantage of this opportunity. The pieces are already there; all we have to do is fit them together,” said Rojas Ávila.

Regarding the aerospace industry, he stressed that Mexico is already emerging as an important center for this industry, especially in the manufacturing of components and advanced technology services.

“Let me tell you that the largest investment in the entire aerospace and aeronautical industry, including engines, interiors, exteriors, is coming to Mexico,” Rojas Ávila shared.

He said the aerospace sector pays high salaries and requires long-term commitments and significant technology transfer.

He said that this represents a boost for Mexican talent, but also demands that the country offer adequate conditions for investment.

Rojas Ávila also urged young people and entrepreneurs to adopt a long-term vision that positions Mexico as a competitive country , capable of taking advantage of the economic transition that nearshoring implies.

“We cannot continue selling ourselves as a country with cheap labor. It is time to go out into the world, prepare ourselves and change the international perception of Mexico,” he said, encouraging those present at the 2024 Transport Logistics Forum to think about how the country can differentiate itself on a global level.

Comment and follow us on X:  @karinaquintero  / @GrupoT21

El cargo Mexico must capitalize on nearshoring to boost its economy: Cofoce apareció primero en T21.