Borderlands is a weekly update on developments in U.S.-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week’s highlights include ImportYeti’s new tool to help brands source Mexico-made goods, the upcoming Pharr bridge construction expansion project, Hammond Power Solutions opening a fourth plant in Mexico, and a UK-based logistics company establishing a Dallas office.
ImportYeti Introduces Tool to Facilitate Sourcing from Mexico
ImportYeti has launched a new data set to enhance visibility of Mexico’s supply chain, designed to assist brands in sourcing products from Mexican suppliers and establishing business connections.
The site functions as a search engine for companies’ suppliers, allowing users to examine bills of lading to see what cargo companies are importing and from where.
David Applegate, founder of ImportYeti in 2021, noted that the addition of Mexican suppliers was driven by customer demand. Previously, the platform focused on suppliers in Asia and Europe.
“People were saying, ‘We want this Mexico data,’” Applegate said in an interview with FreightWaves. “Handling such a large data set is challenging. It took us four months to process the Mexico data to meet our standards.”
Mexico is the top trading partner of the U.S., with trade totaling nearly $800 billion in 2023. In April alone, Mexico’s trade with the U.S. amounted to $72.47 billion, according to Census Bureau data.
ImportYeti searches over 90 million public shipping records to boost global supply chain transparency.
Applegate, who previously ran WrestlingMart, an e-commerce store for wrestling gear, developed the idea for ImportYeti from his experience seeking out supplier information.
“My earlier business, WrestlingMart, is the world’s largest collegiate e-commerce wrestling store. Finding the right manufacturers was always a challenge,” he said.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the wrestling market, leading to the creation of ImportYeti.
“We became very attentive to our customers’ needs, reaching out to understand their usage and feedback,” Applegate said.
Initially, logistics professionals were among the first users, leveraging the site to find importers for their services.
“Our first market segment was people seeking suppliers, which then expanded to 3PLs and logistics managers,” Applegate said. “We value customer input and strive to tailor our searches to address their business challenges.”
Pharr Bridge Expansion Project to Commence in August
Pharr, Texas, has awarded a $47 million contract for expanding the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, set to start in August. The project will add four southbound lanes to reduce border wait times, with completion expected in 2026. The bridge, currently with three southbound and one northbound lane, saw $45.8 billion in trade in 2023, connecting Pharr to Reynosa, a major manufacturing hub in Mexico.
Hammond Power Solutions Opens Fourth Plant in Mexico
Hammond Power Solutions (HPS) has opened its fourth plant in Guadalupe, Mexico, enhancing its production capacity and creating 400 jobs. The new plant will support the company’s North American customers and meet growing regional demand. HPS, based in Ontario, Canada, manufactures dry-type transformers, power products, and related magnetics.
UK-Based Logistics Company Establishes Dallas Office
UK-based 3PL Speedy Freight has opened its first U.S. office in Dallas. The office will provide full truckload, less-than-truckload, drayage, expedited shipping, cross-border operations, inventory and supply chain management services, warehousing capacity, and cross-docking capabilities. Founded in 2006, Speedy Freight operates over 60 branches across the UK and Europe, serving more than 10,000 customers in various industries.
Get the latest supply chain logistics news updates at The Supply Chain Report. Visit ADAMftd.com for free tools related to international trade.
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