IoT, AI, Real-Time Visibility to Enhance Mexico’s Supply Chains

Q: What differentiates Overhaul from other companies in the logistics and supply chain security space?

A: Overhaul is a global technology company that specializes in logistics and supply chain security. What sets us apart is our ability to offer both solutions through our proprietary Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform, which is fully integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT). This enables real-time tracking of cargo across air, sea, and land globally. We operate in the Americas, the European Union, and Asia.

Overhaul primarily focuses on prevention through a comprehensive security program. We believe that any incident, such as theft, often points to a failure in the prevention strategy. We combine intelligence, hardware, and software to create an integrated ecosystem. We work closely with clients to identify vulnerabilities in their logistics chains and provide tailored security and traceability solutions. When clients are engaged and willing to collaborate, the outcomes are better.

Q: Why is Mexico a strategic market for Overhaul, and how do you view its role in the global supply chain landscape?

A: Overhaul has a strong strategic focus on Mexico due to its critical role in the North American supply chain, strong economic outlook, and long-term growth potential. Despite global trade fluctuations, analysts continue to view Mexico as a stable and attractive market, supported by solid economic indicators, international reserves, and investment-grade ratings. With operations across multiple continents, our presence in this region is especially important because of the close integration between Mexico, the United States, and Canada, particularly in the manufacturing and automotive sectors. Given the strength of this market, ensuring the security and continuity of these supply chains is a top priority for us.

Q: How does Overhaul use AI, IoT, real-time monitoring, and device-agnostic connectivity to create a unified, intelligent risk management system? 

A: Overhaul’s SaaS platform enables comprehensive risk management by addressing both security and logistics needs. Regulatory compliance, traceability, and proper cargo handling are becoming increasingly important across Latin America. Our device-agnostic system integrates various tracking technologies — such as GPS, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) — into a single platform. This flexibility allows us to centralize and analyze data from multiple devices, ensuring visibility, compliance, and control throughout the supply chain, even in complex regional environments.

Q: How does Overhaul’s technology help companies detect vulnerabilities and optimize their supply chain operations?

A: Overhaul’s platform goes beyond cargo tracking to prevent theft: it supports regulatory compliance by offering decision makers a robust reporting system through real-time data dashboards. These dashboards highlight key performance indicators (KPIs) at a glance and allow users to drill down into detailed insights.

With Overhaul, companies with high-volume operations can identify non-compliance trends by carrier, location, time, incident type, or even the individual responsible. This level of granularity makes it possible to pinpoint operational vulnerabilities and address them proactively. 

Q: How does Overhaul’s platform adapt its security and compliance solutions to meet the unique challenges of different industries, especially when dealing with high-value or time-sensitive cargo?

A: Overhaul’s proprietary platform is highly adaptable, and can meet the specific needs of each client. We understand that industries like agriculture, technology, and food and beverages have unique requirements. Our platform allows us to customize solutions for these distinct challenges, offering tailored security and compliance features to support both high-value and time-sensitive cargo operations, regardless of the sector or region.

Our security solutions are in high demand across various sectors, including agribusiness and manufacturing. We provide tracking capabilities throughout Mexico and in cross-border operations, particularly for markets in the United States. In terms of industry-specific demand, the food and beverage sector stands out, with nearly one-third of all cargo theft incidents tied to this sector.

Q: How does Overhaul ensure strict cold chain compliance during transit, particularly during high-risk periods and seasonal peaks?

A: Overhaul specializes in the pharmaceutical and cold chain sectors, providing critical solutions to ensure strict compliance. Our platform combines precise reporting with top-tier equipment to monitor and track cold chain conditions, particularly for these temperature-sensitive products. We also consider the cyclical nature of operations, such as seasonal peaks, and tailor our security programs to address the unique needs of each client. Through intelligence-driven analysis, we identify patterns of cargo theft and vulnerability in the supply chain, such as specific high-risk periods and locations.

Q: Which regions experience the highest concentrations of cargo theft, and how do market demand and transportation routes play a role in these trends?

A: In Mexico, cargo theft is most concentrated in the central region, which accounts for about 60% of incidents, and the western and Bajío regions, which make up a significant portion of the remaining cases of theft. These areas not only have the highest demand for consumer goods, but are also key logistics corridors. Similarly, in Brazil, 80% of incidents occur in just three regions: São Paulo (40%), Rio de Janeiro (30%), and Minas Gerais. These regions are geographically close, with critical transportation routes linking them to major population centers that drive consumer demand, creating a clear connection between market dynamics and theft hotspots.

Q: How does Overhaul foster collaboration with local law enforcement to ensure timely response and asset recovery?

A: Overhaul has dedicated teams that focus on building strong relationships with local authorities to improve communication and accelerate the response to theft. To facilitate this, we hire experts with backgrounds in law enforcement, ensuring better engagement with authorities. This approach is employed in Mexico, the United States, Brazil, Ireland, and the European Union. We also participate in associations that collaborate with authorities, allowing for smoother communication. When the Overhaul platform detects an increase in theft activity in specific regions, we proactively reach out to authorities at the federal, state, and municipal levels, building strong communication channels in advance to ensure a faster and more coordinated response.

Q: What are the key operational challenges Overhaul faces when securing supply chains in Mexico?

A: Securing our clients’ supply chains and ensuring traceability from origin to destination is crucial. The complexity of logistics operations, especially in terms of road safety and theft, adds another layer of difficulty. To tackle this, we focus on three key stages of the operation: the beginning, the journey, and the destination.

At the start, it is important to ensure that the vehicle and driver are ready for departure, which includes performing safety checks and operational tracking, while having all necessary resources in place. Once the operation is underway, we need to ensure that the vehicle can travel a 300km-400km range without stopping, factoring in high-risk areas and times. Careful planning is necessary to decide when and where to stop, and proper security protocols must be followed when halting operations.

During stops, we implement engine shutdowns, verify vehicle status, and ensure the safety of the surroundings. Once the operation resumes, we perform checks again to confirm the vehicle’s readiness. Combining electronic security layers with physical measures helps make the operation safer.

The challenge also depends on the nature of the goods. High-value items or goods that are part of a production chain require special attention to prevent disruption in the supply chain. The goal is to guarantee that the goods, especially those that have traveled long distances, safely reach their final destination and are ready for distribution.

Q: What are your expectations for Mexico’s manufacturing sector and how will its performance impact the logistics industry?

A: The sector is growing, especially considering the upcoming renegotiation of the free trade agreement. While some products have a 25% tariff, by incorporating them into the treaty it will be possible to eliminate tariffs, benefiting the economy. This change will encourage regional production, particularly in the manufacturing sector, which is a key driver of Mexico’s growth.

The automotive industry, located mainly in the State of Mexico, the Bajío region, Coahuila, and Nuevo Leon, is central to this growth. With 29 automotive manufacturing plants, Mexico has become the seventh-largest car producer globally, surpassing South Korea and edging closer to Canada. This reflects exponential growth in the industry, which strengthens the internal market and fuels continued growth.

Q: How do you envision the future of logistics in Mexico as the country continues to grow?

A: We are optimistic about the future of the logistics industry in Mexico. The country’s economic growth and the expansion of multimodal commercial operations will lead to exponential growth. For example, the recent launch of the Interoceanic train, which successfully moved vehicles from the Pacific to the Atlantic, highlights Mexico’s logistical potential.

Mexico’s ports are growing and handling more goods from Asia and the European Union, which will drive the country’s economic growth. Additionally, the growth of the last-mile market, driven by e-commerce, is another key trend that implies new security considerations but presents more opportunities. This sector is expanding rapidly and will require more units to meet demand.

Q: What are Overhaul’s key objectives and growth plans for the Mexican market in 2025? 

A: 2025 presents significant challenges, but we are optimistic due to the advances Overhaul has made in Mexico. After two years of operation in the country, we have been consolidating our presence in key markets, working closely with clients essential to our logistics operations.

Our main challenge is scaling up to provide better services. Overhaul’s offering is crucial because it combines logistics security with traceability. This combination allows us to expand, especially considering Mexico’s position as a hub for international trade with the United States. While this makes operations more complex, it also enhances our ability to implement comprehensive security programs to ensure goods move smoothly and comply with regulations.

Overhaul is the global leader in active supply chain risk management and intelligence. It protects shippers and 3PLs from in-transit cargo delays, damage, theft, and spoilage through advanced software and monitoring solutions. With seven global monitoring control towers strategically located worldwide, it offers continuous cargo protection and immediate, proactive responses to threats.