Executive Summaries from American Chamber in Mexico, Whirlpool, and Bulkmatic
Companies based in Nuevo León, Mexico, affiliated with the American Chamber in Mexico, have expressed optimism about the strengthening of the North American region through increased long-term investment in Mexico, enhanced infrastructure, and solidifying its role as a key export platform under the T-MEC.
Key Executives and Their Statements
- Juan Carlos Puente, Vice President Executive of Latin America at Whirlpool: “I firmly believe that North America will continue to strengthen. We must remain a more integrated region, the strongest in the world, which will benefit Mexico. I see more investment, capabilities, and competition coming to Mexico to supply both within and outside the region as a development-generating export platform.”
- Alejandro Doria, President and CEO of Bulkmatic: “Despite tariffs and policies, the economy cannot be stopped. In Mexico, we are committed to becoming self-sufficient.”
- David Eaton, Vice President of Amcham Mexico, Northeast Chapter: “With the vision of a strongly integrated North America, Mexico complements itself due to its proximity and supply chains. Mexico is a reliable partner, making the United States more prosperous, and I vote for a future where we all work together.”
Call to Defend the T-MEC
Alejandro Doria, CEO of Bulkmatic, emphasized the importance of logistical integration in North America, driven by the T-MEC and the rail systems of Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
- 26% of Mexico’s cargo is transported by rail, while in the United States it represents 24%. This connectivity has been crucial for moving large volumes of raw materials and finished products between the three countries.
- In April 2023, the merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern created CPKC, a transnational railway company, and a second railway bridge was inaugurated between Nuevo Laredo and Laredo.
From “Just in Time” to “Just in Case”
David Eaton posed a question to the panelists about logistical changes.
- Juan Carlos Puente, Vice President Executive of Latin America at Whirlpool: “The pandemic has drastically changed the way we do things. Some products can only be sourced from China, and we hope to build a supply chain here and reverse the situation.”
- He also mentioned that with suppliers now nearby, flexibility and connectivity within the plant are essential to know which components are needed and assemble products like washing machines on time.
Competition Now Focuses on Supply Chains
When discussing connectivity, Whirlpool’s executive explained, “We compete with a competitor’s value chain rather than their product.” For example, Apple no longer competes with Samsung on smartphones; instead, there’s competition between their supply chains.
- “This is the connectivity we need,” said Puente, “not just systems to know when a component should start or what product is supplied to our line. This goes beyond planning how to produce a product, including the technology used in collaboration.”
- He described it as a “strategic alliance like the one Mexico has with the United States, for short-, medium-, and long-term business vision.”
