Shipping and logistics provider A.P. Moller– Maersk has opened a new 30,000-square meter facility (about 323,000 square feet)
in Tijuana, Mexico, about 25 miles south of San Diego.
Located in Prisma XII, Pacifico Industrial Park in Tijuana, Baja California, the site targets customers in the technology, automotive, retail and lifestyle sectors who are looking for cross-border capabilities, according to Maersk.
The company said that its new facility enjoys a strategic geographical advantage, positioned near major commercial ports, such as Los Angeles/Long Beach, California and Ensenada, Mexico.
The facility is 15 km (9.2 miles) from the Otay Commercial Port, situated between Otay Mesa (San Diego) and Otay Centenario (Tijuana). Additionally, it is 20 km (12.4 miles) from the San Ysidro Commercial Port, which spans the border between San Ysidro, Calif. and Tijuana.
The site is part of the Manufacturing, Maquiladora, and Export Services Industry (IMMEX) services program for the Tijuana market. It offers services such as sorting, storage, cross-docking, inventory management and a range of value-added services including labelling, packaging, re-packaging and order fulfilment.
The new site, Maersk has said, is certified LEED Gold, including rooftop solar panels, 100% electric material-handling equipment, LED lighting, heat island reduction, indoor and outdoor water use reduction and waste management system.
“We’re positioned to capitalize on the manufacturing landscape in Mexico and our commitment to delivering unparalleled service to our customers,” Managing Director for Maersk in Mexico Patricia Perez Salazar, said. “By strategically leveraging our new warehouse in Tijuana, tailored to the complexities of cross-border trade, we’re better positioned to provide our customers in the region truly integrated logistics solutions.”
The IMMEX Program, which stands for “Programa de la Industria Manufacturera, Maquiladora y de Servicios de Exportación” in Spanish, is a program in Mexico that allows companies to temporarily import goods into the country for manufacturing, processing, or repair, with the intention of subsequent exportation or provision of export services.
The program provides certain tax benefits and facilitations to encourage foreign investment and promote export-oriented activities in Mexico. It enables companies to operate within the country’s borders while benefiting from exemptions on import duties, value-added tax and possibly countervailing duties.
Maersk’s overall footprint spans over 150,000 square meters across Mexico, with warehouses located in Mexico City, Tijuana, and Cuautitlan, and depots located near the ports in Lazaro Cardenas and Manzanillo.
Looking ahead, Maersk has expansion plans, including additional capabilities in Guadalajara and Monterrey.