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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