The second edition of the Freight Forwarder Awards will take place on June 4, 2027 , an event that will once again seek to evaluate and recognize the work of freight forwarders, key players in international trade who develop logistics engineering by coordinating and optimizing the movement of goods between different modes of transport.
During the 6th Edition of the Forwarder Conversation , organized by the Mexican Association of Freight Forwarders (Amacarga) , Osiel Cruz, CEO of Grupo T21 , highlighted that there is still a wide lack of awareness about the relevance of freight forwarders within value chains, so initiatives like these awards seek to give greater visibility to their contribution to foreign trade.
Recalling the origin of the first edition of the awards, held in May 2016, he explained that the objective was never solely to create a ranking of companies, but to generate spaces of recognition for the sector .
“It wasn’t just about ranking who’s who among the freight forwarder players; we also sought to generate additional recognition beyond a ranking that, due to volume, is usually dominated by the big players. We also envisioned a recognition event, a gala, with special categories where medium and small companies could stand out for their actions and contributions to the sector,” he noted.
Osiel Cruz added that this type of award is already given in different regions of the world to companies involved in cargo movement, so it was necessary to have a platform in Mexico that would allow the identification and recognition of the main players in this activity.
As part of the discussion, award-winning companies shared their experiences and lessons learned from participating in the first edition of the awards. Among the benefits highlighted were the adoption of new technologies, increased professionalization of their teams, and greater visibility for freight forwarders within the logistics chain and international trade.
The testimonials agreed that this type of recognition helps to promote better practices in the industry, as well as reinforcing the strategic importance of freight forwarders as integrators of logistics services in an increasingly complex and competitive environment.
Antonio Prakash, CEO of Mexproud Shipping , a firm that won several awards in the first edition of the prize, highlighted that freight forwarders are of great importance in the supply chain .
“At the governmental or macroeconomic level, we talk about import and export figures, whether we have a surplus or a deficit, but we don’t talk about who is playing a leading role in bringing these products to our daily lives. This is a watershed moment for our industry to truly shine and for people, including our customers, to know who is helping them bring these products to their businesses,” he emphasized.
He indicated that being part of the first edition of the Freight Forwarder Awards gave them a greater vision of other sectors where they can start services such as air freight.
For his part, Xchel Mancilla, from Mablo Forwarding , pointed out that the nomination in five categories allowed them to affirm that they have done important work in the sector and increase the professionalization of their services .
“We were already working on diversifying our services; we are very focused on maritime services, and a couple of years ago we decided to diversify into other services. Now we are pursuing certifications to continue improving; that was one of the things we realized,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Daniel Ramos, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer at Universal Cargo , explained that being in the ranking allowed them to identify their areas of opportunity , but also a level of growth that depends not only on technology but on how to leverage it, promote it through talent, and simplify their processes.
“It’s not just about having the best processes or technology, but about generating a consistent experience for customers, logistics partners and talent,” he noted.
Similarly, Andrés Fernández, commercial director of Valiton Corp & Logistics , pointed out that this type of recognition encourages further professionalization of the industry , where in Monterrey alone there are more than 400 logistics companies.
“They can differentiate us a little and not compare us to the whole, which is ideal. In our case, it was a good thing to receive this evaluation, to see that some processes were outdated and now we are. It pushes us all as a group,” he stated.
Myrthala Aldape, Quality Control Manager at Racing Cargo , explained that belonging to the first edition of the awards allowed them to “open their eyes” and get to know the companies they work alongside.
“Sometimes we don’t stop to consider who we’re playing against, who we’re positioning ourselves against in a certain way. Receiving an award of this caliber makes you see where you stand and is an incentive to keep moving forward,” he said.
Mauricio Jiménez, Sales and Service Specialist at Movimiento Perfecto Specialized Transport , expressed that being on the list allowed them to see their work reflected, as well as the staff they collaborate with.
“Investing in human capital is important for everyone, as is investing in technologies that can optimize processes,” he said.
Griselda Padilla, Director & Founder of Trade The World , said that during 10 years of operations they had not carried out a measurement of them.
“We know our company, but we really said: let’s see what’s going to happen, what this project is, what they’re evaluating it on. The reality is that 2025 was a very complex year for us, with too many geopolitical changes and international problems that have affected freight forwarders. Being ranked in the top 21 Freight Forwarders was a surprise and a motivation for the team, leading us to realize that it’s time to further professionalize ourselves, improve our technologies, and see if our processes are working well or if they can be improved. This is an opportunity to see what we’re doing and where we’re headed, and to meet colleagues in the same industry,” he emphasized.
Virginia Gallardo, from Gallardo Cargo , commented that being so immersed in daily operations and solving customer needs, they don’t realize the magnitude of what they have built and achieved .
“Recognizing our strengths, experience, specialization, and ability to handle daily operations, which are highly sensitive at Gallardo, has given us added value and commitment, fostering a team that inspires confidence in our clients. The important aspect of this ranking is not just participating to secure a place, but gaining a comprehensive understanding of our current position,” he stated.
The Freight Forwarder Awards is the event that recognizes the companies that make up the Top T21 Freight Forwarders list, where companies are evaluated from a comprehensive performance perspective, combining operational information, business capabilities, quantitative growth, documentary evidence and expert assessment.
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