Tech-backed Security Along the Way

Q: What makes Grupo Mexamerik a unique transportation company?

A: We provide timely and safe logistics services to our customers. Our service is accompanied by technology that allows the fluid exchange of information with our clients and full visibility of everything that is happening with their shipments. We seek to provide a differentiated service through technology, well-defined processes and highly trained personnel.

Our clients also have access to a platform called Collaborative Transportation Management (CTM) that shows them not only the location of the shipment but who is carrying it, in which unit and with what type of documentation. The platform displays real-time location, an estimated time of arrival, the route the truck is following and if it has deviated from the previously-agreed route.

The client has complete visibility. Sometimes it is difficult to follow 500 trucks. What you want to see is everything that can deviate from the original plan. We agree with our clients on the conditions of the service in advance, so everything that falls within these parameters can advance unchecked. Meanwhile, everything that for some reason deviates from the plan is monitored. There are circumstances, such as road accidents, that can delay a shipment. Our platform detects if there is traffic, automatically adjusts the estimated time of arrival (ETA) and sends an alert to the client.

Our platform also includes a chat that connects us with our clients and operators who have our MexApp on their cell phone that includes the same information. At the end of the day, the important factor is total collaboration between the three parties involved: the operator of unit on the road, the customer and our controllers.

Q: What benefits does this visibility bring to your clients’ operations?

A: Clients have timely information on which to base their decision-making. If they do not know that there is a problem on the road and that we will have to deviate from the original plan and therefore arrive late, people may be waiting for the merchandise, which may lead to extra costs. If the information does not flow correctly, the client could even lose a sale.

We also offer greater security to our customers. We seek to minimize the risk of accidents by raising awareness among our operators regarding safe driving habits. Our operators are required to sleep at least six hours a day. If they do not, our platform will block them to continue driving or from future shipments until they sleep. Our units are also equipped with facial recognition to detect drowsiness or distracted driving. If the operator bends down to grab their cell phone, the system detects it immediately, vibrating the seat and alerting him and us. We take care of the life of the driver and those around him. We also monitor speed levels and sharp accelerations. As a result, we have reduced the number of accidents to 1 per 5 million km, which is a very good number.

Q: What are the main challenges that Grupo MexAmerik faces?

A: Security is an important challenge. Theft is increasing annually and 2020 does not appear to be different. To address this, we have a security monitoring center to reduce risks, improve routes, define authorized stops and establish security protocols to protect our employees and merchandise. Everything revolves around prevention and deterrence.

We also require a better response from the authorities. There are very clear areas where there are constant robberies and sometimes we do not find the necessary support to react when we know that a robbery is in progress. We want the law to be enforced and we want certainty that there will be consequences for those who commit theft. Also, assailants are becoming more aggressive hurting operators.

However, our biggest challenge is people. We work on being the best employer in the country so our service has professionals managing the units. Our operators are the ones providing the service, so our goal is to offer them the conditions that allow them to provide the best service possible and be safe.

Q: What does the future hold for cargo transportation in Mexico?

A: Without a doubt, we see greater technical integration. Autonomous driving is still a far-off consideration because the country does not have the conditions to support this. However, we are very attentive to what is happening with all technological advances. Grupo MexAmerik uses a lot of analytics and business intelligence to determine which unit is most suitable for certain services. We are increasingly integrating more machine learning and artificial AI in our decision-making. 

Q: What is your objective for 2020-2021? Specifically, what investments do you intend to make in vehicles and warehouse infrastructure?

A: We have significant expansion plans for the coming years. We are working in new terminals. In the coming months, we are going to change to a terminal in Teoloyucan, State of Mexico, where we will have better conditions to deliver an improved service and to develop the MexAmerik Experience. We are also undergoing an organizational restructuring to lay the foundations for future growth. In the next five years, we expect to grow our fleet threefold.

Grupo Mexamerik is transport company based in State of Mexico with its own fleet of trucks. It transports products from a variety of sectors, namely automotive, consumption goods and beverages