Scaling Business is About Partnerships: GEODIS

Q: The upgrade of the Americas Center of Excellence (CoE) in Guadalajara was a major milestone. How does centralizing your regional engineering and shared services in Mexico change the value proposition you offer to global clients, compared to traditional logistics models?

A: GEODIS recently transitioned to a significantly larger facility in Guadalajara to centralize our regional operations. This expansion serves as a cornerstone for the CoE, an operational hub that has enhanced the company's capabilities not only within Mexico but throughout the Americas. With a specialized team of over 200 professionals, the Guadalajara CoE manages regional logistics and shared services, with approximately 80% of its activities supporting international operations outside of Mexico.

Since our inception in the country, Guadalajara has remained a strategic epicenter, particularly following a pivot six years ago to strengthen trans-Pacific air freight services. Positioned at the heart of Mexico's high-tech contract manufacturing sector, we reached a major milestone in late 2025 by completing our 500th own-controlled network flight with Atlas Air connecting Shanghai and Hong Kong directly to Guadalajara. Beyond air freight, the hub has seen substantial growth in ocean freight and serves as our second-largest operational center in the country after Mexico City.

Q: Looking at the cargo mix on flight #1 compared to flight #500, how has the nature of what Mexico imports from Asia evolved over the last few years?

A: This lane was initially launched to fulfill the specific demands of the high-tech market. However, following the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed a shift toward e-commerce, which now accounts for a significant portion of the cargo handled on our dedicated flights. Navigating the evolving legislative and standardization frameworks for global e-commerce remains a primary operational challenge.

Despite these complexities, GEODIS has diversified its service portfolio to support other critical sectors, including aerospace and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). Since it began in 2018, our air freight program has demonstrated consistent success; after seven years of operation, we are looking forward to approaching the 600-flight milestone. Following the 500th flight celebration in October 2025, we set a long-term target of 1,000 flights with Atlas Air. Achieving this goal relies on the high performance of our regional teams in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Guadalajara, as well as the seamless coordination with global logistics partners across the entire supply chain.

Q: In a market as volatile as the Asia-Mexico corridor, what has GEODIS identified as the most critical internal factors for ensuring consistent execution and long-term project viability?

A: GEODIS’ operational success in Mexico is built on two fundamental lessons: meticulous planning and predictive anticipation. In the current environment, the ability to guarantee a high execution percentage is directly linked to the quality of initial project planning. Beyond internal logistics, we now prioritize predictive analytics to navigate the volatility of global and domestic legislative shifts.

Monitoring new government initiatives, not only in Mexico but across all participating trade regions, is essential for anticipating changes in consumer behavior and client demands. As 2026 brings evolving regulatory frameworks, staying informed of potential repercussions allows us to mitigate risks before they manifest. Ultimately, maintaining service consistency and precision in timing, particularly within the air freight sector, remains the primary guarantee for the long-term viability and growth of our logistics products.

Q: GEODIS has invested in 14 buildings across Mexico. What has been your biggest lesson learned regarding energy reliability and industrial infrastructure when setting up large-scale distribution centers?

A: GEODIS’ operational footprint in Mexico has historically been concentrated within the Mexico City Metropolitan Area, where infrastructure and energy supplies have remained stable. Based on Ambition 2027, our global strategic plan for contract logistics, our focus is shifting toward national expansion, specifically targeting Guadalajara and Monterrey. While industrial energy and sustainability challenges are increasingly prevalent in geographies outside the capital, we aim to mitigate these risks through established alliances with key landlords and contract logistics partners.

In Guadalajara, repurposing an import-export facility into a high-capacity cross-dock and contract logistics center has allowed us to evolve our presence. This facility is supported by one of our strongest landlord partnerships, which guarantees the necessary infrastructure and energy scalability for continued growth. We anticipate enacting a similar strategy alongside other emerging opportunities in Mexico. Ultimately, Ambition 2027 is a roadmap designed to synchronize our expansion with the specific real-time needs of our customers, ensuring operational readiness as we scale into Mexico’s primary industrial corridors.

Q: What are the main infrastructure or expansion goals for GEODIS Mexico for the remainder of 2026?

A: In the current logistics environment, resilience is the primary requirement for service providers to maintain traditional operational levels. My outlook and strategy for 2026 centers on the integration of services and the identification of synergies across our internal infrastructure. By prioritizing the bundling of services and expanding relationships with existing customers through a broader service portfolio, we aim to enhance our market position.

This outlook for 2026 is defined by a focus on maintaining and increasing volumes while achieving results through internal collaboration. With 3,300 teammates across the freight forwarding and contract logistics lines of business in Mexico, the objective is to maximize performance by finding synergies between our two divisions. Ultimately, the ability to operate as a cohesive whole will be the decisive factor in achieving our goals for the year.

Beyond my outlook for business, GEODIS maintains global sustainability commitments backed by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), with our strategies in Mexico centering on energy efficiency and waste management. One operational initiative includes the installation of solar energy systems at our warehouse facilities to support carbon reduction goals. Within the freight forwarding division, we also promote the use of eco-fuels and advise clients on modal shifts to decrease carbon footprints where lead times allow. These activities are monitored via our 2026 performance dashboard to ensure alignment with annual targets. GEODIS also collaborates with its local transportation partners, primarily family-owned enterprises, to encourage the adoption of sustainable practices.

Digitalization and automation also serve as key drivers for service consistency and quality. We integrate autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) into our warehouses to assist teams with high-volume fulfillment and ergonomic improvements. LocusBots from Locus Robotics are currently implemented in two of our 14 Mexican facilities, though my goal is to gradually expand this technology across our infrastructure to optimize workflows and assist our teammates.

Finally, our workforce is our primary cornerstone. As a Great Place to Work (GPTW) certified organization, we focus on the recruitment, development, and retention of our teammates in Mexico. Internal objectives prioritize clear career paths and productive working conditions to ensure talent remains the foundation of our operational success in 2026.


GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. GEODIS specializes in four lines of business: Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express Transport, and European Road Network. The Group operates a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and 48,000 employees.