Supply Chain Research

U.S. and Mexican customs agencies have opened a new processing center for railfreight at Laredo, which should improve efficiency. Railfreight handling through Mexico’s borders fell 2% in the past quarter, vs. a 2% rise in the past year. Laredo did better than this, with a 2% increase in the past quarter and 5% in the past year as a result of a 13% jump in exports. One issue is the renegotiation of NAFTA. This may include changes to the rules-of-origin for automakers, who are the biggest outgoing users of Laredo’s rail facilities. Increased use of U.S. parts for Mexican auto factories may...