CROSS-BORDER TRADE IN NORTH AMERICA
Polaris Transportation Group specializes in cross-border LTL shipments, oering daily departures between Canada and the United States.
drivers, and equipment across all regions in Mexico and the United States. As a result, we are a complete supply chain solutions company that can move freight in any segment, including from a foreign factory to a distribution center, and then to a store or even someone’s house for install,” he adds. Hub Group is certi ed through the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT). The company also works closely with authorities to reduce the risk of cargo theft, Anchustegui says. Security incidents on intermodal cargo run as low as 0.05% in some corridors, making it one of the safest ways of transporting goods in Mexico, he adds. OFFERING UNIQUE SOLUTIONS Hub Group offers a range of unique and innovative solutions, Hoffmeister says. For example, through its heavyweight program, Hub Group complies with relevant regulations while moving overweight goods more ef ciently and cost-effectively between Mexico and the United States. Hub Group also offers approximately 10 million square feet of warehousing space in the United States, as well as strong capabilities in truckload, less-than- truckload, managed transportation, nal mile, consolidation, and ful llment. Hub Group provides technology that offers shippers end-to-end visibility as their cargo moves to its destination, including the industry’s rst GPS- enabled container eet.
One step to addressing these challenges is understanding the entire network of raw materials within a company’s supply chain, Cochran says. Companies also need to consider how their supply chain might impact both costs and sales. For example, if the cost of labor to produce T-shirts in Mexico is four times the rate in China, it might seem obvious that China is the logical option. Yet for items that are popular sellers, the difference in lead times between the two countries might prove critical. Working with reliable logistics partners that have expertise in customs clearance, warehousing, and cross- border freight can also help companies manage these challenges, Minarro says. Advanced AI-driven platforms that can provide data-driven solutions to streamline operations and increase ef ciency also help. A quality transportation provider will not only supply freight solutions, but also can assist shippers in navigating the regulatory environment. “Companies should look for cross- border logistics providers that are CTPAT certi ed and have long-standing track records of successful cross-border shipments,” Garza says. Providers should also have effective capacity management processes in place, such as dedicated Mexico trailing equipment to help maintain suf cient resources amidst higher northbound demand, he adds. The logistics providers highlighted here can help companies address the
challenges and achieve the bene ts of cross-border operations. DRIVING PERFORMANCE THROUGH EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AND SOLUTIONS Hub Group, a comprehensive supply chain solutions provider, expanded its intermodal and cross-border service offerings in Mexico through its joint venture with EASO, a trucking logistics provider and the largest intermodal carrier in Mexico. A family-led company, EASO boasts a 50-year track record working with the Mexican market and has the same cultural alignment of service, integrity, and innovation as Hub Group. Combining Hub Group’s robust capabilities with EASO’s extensive network and expertise in Mexico enhances end-to-end solutions and adds signi cant scale for all customers. “With this joint venture, Hub Group becomes the only U.S. intermodal carrier to actually have boots on the ground and terminals in Mexico,” says Anchustegui. “We can reach almost any part of Mexico, any part of the United States, and much of Canada.” Together, the companies add even more value to clients, says Chris Hoffmeister, chief commercial of cer with Hub Group. “We help clients save money and access more effective transportation options because we have market and cross-border expertise, a low cost structure focused on service and security, along with capacity,
32 Inbound Logistics • April 2025
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