The Mexico 101 Guide

1) Walk the store and read the labels

Go to any retailer, say Home Depot or Lowe’s, and look for labels that say “Hecho en México,” which means “Made in Mexico.” What you’re holding there is Mexico freight. So trace it back: Who's the manufacturer? Where's their U.S. distribution? Who's handling their transportation?

2) Target the right industries

Look first where Mexico supply chains are common:

• Automotive (Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers especially)
• Appliances
• Electronics
• Furniture/home goods
• Food and beverage
• Retail/private label

3) Build a supplier map

Instead of only chasing the biggest logos, go after their suppliers, too. For example, Google “Nissan Sentra suppliers,” and you’ll find one of those pictures of a car with the different logos pointing off it. That’s a feeding frenzy. Every one of those suppliers is receiving parts from or shipping parts to Mexico. They often have consistent volume.

Another way: Pull up Google Maps around a major OEM facility. The Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga has an entire industrial park surrounding it: Gestamp, Yanfeng, Grupo Antolin, Faurecia, Schnellecke—all Tier 1 suppliers receiving components from Mexico every day. Nobody is cold-calling them about Mexico freight.

Here’s your talk track

“I saw you manufacture in [Mexico region/city] and distribute in the U.S. We help brokers and shippers run Mexico freight with reliable capacity and strong execution. Are you the right contact for Mexico lanes?”