With U.S.-Mexico trade expanding rapidly, Ryder System has opened a large new logistics facility in Laredo, Texas aimed at speeding up cross-border shipments. Located just miles from the busiest commercial border crossing, the facility provides additional capacity to handle the over 20% annual growth in truck traffic between the two countries.
Strategic Location Near the Top Border Crossing
The 228,000-square-foot warehouse and cross-dock is situated about 3 miles from the World Trade Bridge that connects Laredo with Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. It includes 102 loading docks and parking for 143 trailers, enabling efficient transfer of freight across the border. Laredo was the top U.S. border crossing for trucks last year, processing 2.93 million commercial vehicles.
Ryder is also expanding its drayage yard on the Mexican side in Nuevo Laredo. This added capacity will smooth the handoff of shipments from Mexican carriers to U.S. drivers and fleets after clearing customs. The close proximity of Ryder’s new and existing Laredo facilities, all within a 6-mile radius, allows for resource and labor sharing when volumes spike.
Rising Nearshoring is Driving Growth
Ryder officials tie the need for extra capability to nearshoring trends as more companies move production closer to U.S. markets. The pandemic underscored the risk of relying on extended Asian supply chains. Mexico’s proximity allows for much quicker replenishment of inventory compared to ocean shipments.
“With Mexico, you put what you need on a truck and it can be in a final-mile distribution center within days, not months,” said Ricardo Alvarez, VP of supply chain operations for Ryder Mexico.
Alvarez said Ryder manages over 250,000 cross-border freight movements yearly for automotive, industrial, tech and consumer packaged goods customers. It also operates around 5 million square feet of warehouse space in Mexico. The new Laredo facility allows overflow storage and flexibility in labor and assets.
Part of the Wave of Investments
Ryder is just the latest logistics provider to invest in the Laredo region. The border boom has drawn billions in projects from transportation leaders looking to stake a claim.
Last September, C.H. Robinson opened one of the largest new distribution centers in Laredo’s history. Other companies adding facilities include truckload broker RXO and regional trucking firm PGT Trucking.
Frank Bateman, Ryder’s VP of supply chain operations, said the site allows the flexibility to transition customers into dedicated on-site capacity. This includes in-house transportation via the company’s extensive cross-border trucking fleet.
By leveraging their expertise and resources, Lading Logistics aims to provide efficient and reliable international shipping and logistics solutions for their clients.
