Home > Mobility > View from the Top

Revolutionizing Logistics Through AI, Innovative Solutions

Iván Cárdenas - BeGo
CEO and Co-Founder

STORY INLINE POST

Fernando Mares By Fernando Mares | Journalist & Industry Analyst - Wed, 11/27/2024 - 09:47

share it

Q: What market needs led to the foundation of BeGo and what goals drive the company?

A: BeGo was founded in Silicon Valley by Mexican entrepreneurs in 2019. Our platform was born out of the need to optimize land and maritime transportation logistics in Mexico, efficiently connecting carriers with customers who need to move cargo. Since our inception, we have focused on accelerating the digitalization of the industry, aiming to improve its operational efficiency and contribute to Mexico’s economic development. 

Q: How has BeGo positioned itself in the market over the past few years? 

A: In recent years, we have consolidated our position as the leading freight transportation marketplace in Mexico, without owning a single physical unit. Over 12,000 carriers use our 
platform, and we provide more than 2,000 of these carriers with innovative tools such as a credit history. This has not only strengthened trust in our platform, but has also generated over MX$3 million (US$169,910) in savings in the past year alone. 

Q: How does BeGo Black help businesses optimize their logistics operations? 

A: BeGo Black is our contextualized AI solution for businesses. This platform helps clients optimize their logistics operations. For example, we have worked with fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies to improve the efficiency of their transportation fleet. Using advanced algorithms, we identify opportunities for improvement, such as reducing waste by up to 60%. This has resulted in significant increases in productivity and operational efficiency. 

Q: What are the primary advantages that client companies experience when utilizing BeGo Black? 

A: BeGo Black offers clients a substantial improvement in the utilization of their fleet, which has increased from 42% to 74%. We also have revolutionized the traditionally slow and complex customs clearance process. By automating this process, we have reduced product classification time from days to as little as six seconds, and can process millions of classifications in that time. This not only improves productivity but also reduces costs and avoids fines associated with customs delays. 

Q: How has the logistics sector responded to the implementation of new technologies? 

A: We observed that the industry does not care how a problem is solved or about what technology is used; it cares about solving the problem. When we automated the waybill process, we really connected with carriers. We showed them how they could increase their revenue by an average of 14% using our platform, which was tangible and meaningful to them. 

Q: What are the primary concerns raised by your customers regarding the acceptance of your processes, and how do you address them?

A: One of the main concerns we receive is about data privacy and security. We do not share data between fleets. We use this information to generate insights that feed the platform, 
improving the service for each user without compromising privacy. Data security is a priority; we use advanced technology, such as Google Cloud, and store the information on servers within the country to ensure its protection and constant availability. 

Q: How does BeGo support its clients in navigating the challenges of a market with low banking penetration? 

A: We understand the challenges clients face in a market with a large informal economy and low banking penetration, such as the Mexican market. Lack of access to financial services can limit growth and opportunities for many, especially for transporters. For that reason, we developed innovative solutions such as BeGo Pay, a line of credit that allows carriers to operate without having to finance their operating expenses. 

For example, instead of carriers having to advance money for diesel, toll booths, and lodging, we provide them with a card that covers these expenses managed by our platform. This not only facilitates their daily operation, but also helps them build a solid credit history, as each transaction is backed by our collateral. This credit history can then be used to access traditional financial services, opening up new opportunities for growth. 

We also addressed the lack of access to medical services through a strategic alliance with Prudential. Using information gathered through our platform, we designed a health insurance policy specifically tailored to the needs of carriers. This policy not only offers relevant and affordable medical coverage, but also simplifies the healthcare process, allowing carriers to access consultations and services from any location. 

Q: How is BeGo preparing to meet the increasing market demand driven by nearshoring?

A: We feel prepared to face the growing market demand, especially in the context of nearshoring. We have experienced significant growth by addressing key challenges such as visibility and efficiency in ground transportation, where demand exceeds installed capacity by 20%. About 40% of the time, transports run empty, underscoring the lack of visibility and coordination in the sector. 

Our operations at Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA) play a crucial role in improving this visibility. Like a cab driver looking for passengers at the airport, our approach is to effectively connect supply and demand in freight transportation. We identify and optimize routes based on accurate, real-time data, allowing our carriers to maximize their efficiency and freight capacity.

Q: What strategic plans does BeGo have in place for the next six years? 

A: We have ambitious plans focused on digitalization, especially on integrating technologies to optimize not only the individual operations of each player in the sector, but also their role within a larger system. We believe in working in collaboration with private industry and government to align efforts toward a common goal of efficiency in transportation and logistics.

Photo by:   Mexico Business

You May Like

Most popular

Newsletter