Challenges Faced by Companies in Nuevo León
Nuevo León’s businesses have significant opportunities to place their products in the local market and even export. However, they face logistical challenges due to limited visibility in their supply chains caused by a lack of technological tools.
The Role of Digitalization
José Ambe Attar, CEO of Logística de México (LDM), emphasized that digitalization is essential for optimizing inventories, improving planning, and providing flexibility to operations. He explained that digitalization not only helps identify bottlenecks but also opens the door to a more robust and data-driven planning model.
This issue is not isolated, as PwC reports that only 27% of organizations in Latin America have end-to-end visibility in their supply chains, meaning most still operate with “blind spots” affecting costs, times, and customer service.
The Impact of Recent Events
Since the pandemic in 2020 and especially last year with President Trump’s tariffs and threats, having cutting-edge technology in companies has become indispensable for supply chain visibility and operational flexibility.
Many companies are reluctant to implement technology due to perceived high costs, difficulty in adoption, or exclusivity for large corporations. However, flexibility is now crucial.
Industries like food and pharmaceuticals require absolute, daily control of products and lots. Real-time inventory visibility is essential for these sectors.
As companies grow and handle various products, they can easily lose control of what they store in a distribution center and its exact location. Lack of information on entries, exits, or expiration dates results in significant financial losses that could be avoided with accelerated technology adoption.
Technologies for Comprehensive Control
For example, systems for demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and warehouse management enable comprehensive control.
In the pharmaceutical industry, systems can measure employee productivity and increase it by up to 50%.
LDM worked with a retail company, robotizing e-commerce distribution centers without laying off staff. Instead, productivity was measured and increased by 70%.
Manufacturing Sectors Affected by Digitalization
We are living in a period of readjustment and instability. However, Mexico will continue to be a neighboring territory of one of the world’s most important countries. We need to prepare by opening companies to better global operational practices.
Companies should look towards Europe or Asia for additional technologies to adopt. In Nuevo León’s case, Attar stressed the need for continued investment in infrastructure, particularly high-resistance weight-bearing roads.
“Less than 30% of roads currently resist more than 50 or 60 tons. If we can secure investments in this and safety, I believe the potential of talent combined with openness to implementing cutting-edge technologies will enhance competitiveness,” Attar concluded.
Key Questions and Answers
- What challenges do Nuevo León’s companies face in logistics and supply chain? They struggle with limited visibility due to a lack of technological tools, leading to increased costs and longer times.
- Why is digitalization crucial for these companies? Digitalization optimizes inventories, improves planning, and provides operational flexibility.
- How have recent events impacted the need for technology in logistics? The pandemic and trade tensions have made cutting-edge technology indispensable for supply chain visibility and operational flexibility.
- What technologies can help companies achieve comprehensive control over their supply chains? Technologies such as demand forecasting systems, inventory optimization, warehouse management systems, and employee productivity measurement tools can provide comprehensive control.
- Why is digitalization important for manufacturing sectors in Nuevo León? Digitalization enhances competitiveness by improving efficiency, reducing losses, and enabling better decision-making.
