Japanese logistics firms target auto industry with expansions in Guanajuato

Major Japanese transportation and logistics companies are following in the footsteps of their corporate customers especially in the auto industry, and rushing to strengthen their presence in Mexico, a strategic gateway to the United States and many other important markets.

Toyota in April 2015 announced that it will make a full­scale foray into Mexico by building a new $1 billion plant in Guanajuato state to assemble Corolla cars for export to North America. Guanajuato state, located on the Central Mexican Plateau, is already home to massive operations from other Japanese automakers such as Honda and Mazda.

Mitsui­Soko Holdings, Kamigumi, Kintetsu World Express and Sojitz Logistics have set up new business footholds in Mexico so far in 2016 and Yusen Logistics launched construction on a new multipurpose logistics center the company hopes to open by the end of the year.

The new Yusen Logistics facility, Bajio Logistics Center, sits on a site of 67,000­ square meters (721,182 square feet) and will consist of a warehouse, an ocean container depot, a large trailer yard and office space. Mitsui­Soko Holdings set up a new subsidiary called MSE Express Mexico S.A. in Mexico City to expand its autorelated air cargo transportation business in Mexico.

(photo: Joc)

Kamigumi established a new subsidiary called Kamigumi Mexico S.A. in Querétaro state, while Kintetsu World Express set up a new sales office in Monterrey, Mexico’s third­largest city. Sojitz Logistics founded a joint venture with Maruzen Unyu called Sojitz Maruzen Logistics Mexico S.A. in San Luis Potosí state.

In addition to these marquee automakers, more than 100 Japanese suppliers of auto parts have set up operations in Mexico, including Akebono Brake Industry and Aisin Seiki. Japanese transportation and logistics companies are banking on these manufacturers to boost growth. Mexico, the second­largest economy in Central and South America after Brazil, became the world’s seventhbiggest auto­manufacturing country in 2015, churning out more than 3.3 million vehicles.

Source: Joc