MONTERREY, NL.- Uncertainty in trade policies and changes in tariffs are leading companies to rethink the organization of their supply chains , through diversification strategies and greater operational flexibility, a scenario in which Mexico figures as one of the alternatives to establish manufacturing activities.

This was pointed out by Dale Rogers, an academic at The University of Arizona , in his presentation “Harnessing AI and digitalization to build the supply chains of the future”, framed in the meeting From resilience to new opportunities: Building the North American supply chain of the future , organized by Tecnológico de Monterrey and the National Academy of Engineering .

Rogers acknowledged that one of the challenges for supply chain managers is maintaining planning capacity in the face of constantly changing trade policies . In this regard, he considered the stability of regulatory conditions a key factor in business decisions regarding investment and production location.

Diversification and opportunities for Mexico

The supply chain expert noted that companies need to shorten their planning horizons, diversify their operations, and develop the ability to quickly modify their sourcing and production strategies.

He identified China, Vietnam, and Mexico as potential locations within a diversification strategy, as opposed to a model in which US companies concentrated a large part of their manufacturing activities in Chinese territory.

Regarding the specific case of Mexico, he said that the country can position itself as one of the alternatives for companies seeking to reorganize their operations, although he stressed the importance of having stable government policies that allow for planning investments and developing long-term business relationships.

Artificial intelligence and productivity

Another topic addressed was the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in transforming business capabilities.

In this regard, Rogers shared his experience in companies involved in logistics and technology asset management , where he has observed changes in the development of computer systems following the incorporation of AI tools. He acknowledged that these technologies allow for the automation of activities that previously required large teams of specialists, which can increase productivity and reduce the resources needed to develop certain business capabilities.

According to their observations, the combination of artificial intelligence and cloud computing services is facilitating access to technological tools, which could favor the emergence of new innovative companies in different regions of the world.

Semiconductors, a chain with vulnerabilities

The academic also addressed the challenges of the semiconductor supply chain , an industry he considered fundamental to the development of new technologies. He emphasized that various stages of this chain exhibit a high concentration of suppliers, from the design and manufacture of specialized machinery to the production of advanced components.

However, Rogers indicated that this industry requires considerable capital investment, particularly in its more advanced manufacturing processes, while other activities in the chain have lower investment requirements.

The specialist said that those responsible for supply chains must consider both technological evolution and changes in trade policies and risks arising from climatic phenomena, in order to evaluate their operating and supply decisions in an environment of uncertainty.

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