Satellite Racks Reduce Access Times by 40%: PM STEELE

The scarcity of industrial space and the rising demands of e-commerce are pushing companies to optimize existing warehouse footprints, according to PM STEELE. The manufacturer suggests that satellite rack systems can alleviate space constraints by maximizing vertical density and integrating internal logistics automation to accelerate operations.

PM STEELE notes that the demand for increased storage density and faster inventory movement is prompting companies in Mexico to prioritize internal process optimization over physical expansion. Driven by e-commerce growth and shortened delivery windows, this shift emphasizes automation to reduce errors and accelerate fulfillment. In response to these market pressures, Mexican storage system manufacturer PM STEELE has introduced satellite rack solutions designed to maximize existing floor space and streamline pallet management.

The company says that this technology focuses on high-density storage that minimizes manual maneuvers while maintaining inventory control. Manuel Farías, Assistant Director of Storage Systems, PM STEELE, explains that satellite racks allow for increased space utilization and faster loading and unloading processes without traditional maneuvering requirements. “This reduces errors and damage to goods while improving inventory accuracy in high-turnover operations. In facilities where these systems have been implemented, product access times have decreased by up to 40%, directly impacting the efficiency of the entire logistics chain,” he explains. 

According to the company, these adjustments are particularly relevant in sectors such as manufacturing, retail, pharmaceuticals, and logistics services, where high rotation and inventory precision are operational requirements. These systems allow companies to increase capacity without the necessity of opening new facilities. This alternative is increasingly significant in the current industrial real estate market, where the availability of new warehouses is limited, and expansion timelines can disrupt business continuity.

Industrial Park Occupancy and Regional Market Dynamics

As of 2025, the national industrial real estate market maintained an availability rate of 4.4%. This availability follows a period of significant demand that saw net absorption peak at 5.0 million m² in 2023. In 2025, net absorption reached 3.3 million m², continuing a steady growth trend from the 2.0 million m² recorded in 2019.

Market activity is heavily concentrated in the North region, which represents 54.3% of the total industrial dynamism, specifically within the cities of Monterrey, Juarez, Saltillo, Tijuana, and Reynosa. The Bajio-West region follows with 23.7% of activity, encompassing Guanajuato, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Aguascalientes, and Jalisco. Mexico City and its metropolitan area account for the remaining 22.1% of the national industrial dynamism.

The current tenant base within these parks is 74% foreign, while 26% is of national origin. Manufacturing and automotive sectors represent the largest share of occupancy at 36% and 32% respectively, followed by logistics at 19% and e-commerce at 8%. To address continued demand, AMPIP identifies 103 new industrial parks currently under construction across 14 states and 49 municipalities. This ongoing expansion involves over 21.5 million m² of surface area at various stages of development.