With nearshoring gathering pace, several logistics companies are bolstering their capabilities south of the border. Arrive Logistics and BlueGrace Logistics have opened their first offices in Mexico’s second largest city, Guadalajara. The moves aim to meet rising demand for localized services as cross-border trade hits new highs.
Arrive’s 18,000 square foot facility will house business development, carrier-focused, and technology teams specializing in US-Mexico solutions. Staff from Arrive’s global services and tech groups will also operate out of the branch. Arrive said surging US-Mexico commerce has amplified the need for on-the-ground resources in Mexico to support its growing transportation and manufacturing presence.
As the top US trade partner, bilateral trade with Mexico totaled a record $798 billion last year. Companies like Arrive and BlueGrace are working to facilitate robust freight flows in both directions.
Similarly, BlueGrace’s new Guadalajara center will manage cross-border loads including truckload, LTL, temperature-controlled, flatbed, and intermodal rail. The office aims to simplify shipping and compliance for customers adopting nearshoring plans in Mexico. BlueGrace’s bilingual staff is well-versed in local transportation rules and entities.
Central Texas Highway Sees Strong Gains in Truck Volumes
Truck volumes on Texas’ SH 130 toll road climbed 9.5% year-over-year in 2022 to 3.5 million transactions. The private highway connecting Austin and Seguin has benefited from breakneck growth in Central Texas.
SH 130 Concession Company CEO Adam Hesketh said rapid community and commercial development near the route has directed more drivers to use the thoroughfare. Overall, the company facilitated 12.6 million vehicle transactions last year.
Current rates for a typical tractor-trailer on SH 130 are around $37 assuming an electronic toll tag. To further boost capacity and amenities along the roadway, SH 130 Concession is collaborating with Caldwell County on a $23 million DOT grant to construct a new travel plaza and parking facility.
Karat Packaging Opens Arizona Location, Expands Sales Team
Shifting to company-specific news, Karat Packaging plans to open a new 44,000 square foot distribution center in Mesa, Arizona next quarter. The LEED-certified facility will strengthen Karat’s existing national presence and enable greater regional customer reach.
Karat specializes in manufacturing and distributing foodservice goods like takeout containers, cups, lids, and utensils. Concurrently, the company expanded its national sales team by 5 representatives to further penetrate key southern and midwestern markets.
The investments support Karat Packaging’s growth after going public in 2021. The company now operates 9 facilities nationwide and employs over 700 people.
Pirelli Commemorates 50 Million Tires, Launches Training Center
Meanwhile in Mexico, tire manufacturer Pirelli commemorated 50 million tires produced at its Guanajuato plant over the last decade. The facility supplies Mexico and other North American markets, delivering specialized passenger vehicle tires.
Pirelli’s total investment in the site exceeds $900 million, with current annual capacity doubled to 8.5 million tires and over 3,200 direct plant jobs.
The event also marked the debut of Pirelli’s first Mexican training facility focused on developing local talent in areas like safety, quality, and technology. The 10,000 square foot center aims to boost employee skills and competitiveness.
Pirelli, headquartered in Italy, operates 18 plants worldwide and employs 31,000 people across the globe. Its high performance and specialty consumer tires equip everything from sedans to superbikes.
By leveraging their expertise and resources, Lading Logistics aims to provide efficient and reliable international shipping and logistics solutions for their clients.
