Yusen Logistics, a third-party logistics provider, has started construction of a logistics center near Celaya, Mexico, to meet the growing demands of its domestic and international automotive customers.

The 53,820-square-foot warehouse is strategically located on a 17-acre site in the world-class Amistad Industrial Park in the Bajio region, one of the largest automotive clusters in Latin America. The industrialized area offers access to a highly-developed road and rail network, and strengthens Yusen Logistics’ global capabilities to offer automotive supply chain solutions to OEMs, as well as Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, conducting business in Mexico.

Services will include just-in-time scheduling, domestic truck, rail and intermodal transportation, international freight forwarding, project cargo, import/export services, warehousing and value-add services, and trade compliance.

“The automotive industry is growing at a tremendous pace in Mexico,” said Kunihiko Miyoshi, Chief Regional Officer of Yusen Logistics’ Americas Region. “In recent years, a number of major auto manufacturers invested in large assembly plants in the Bajio area. This is bringing many Tier 1 and Tier 2 auto suppliers into the region as well. Our Bajio Logistics Center is in an ideal location to support the logistics needs of these companies and positions us as a key service provider, building on our existing strengths and capabilities. We look forward to serving our automotive customers as well as supporting the local community.”

“Building the logistics center is an important milestone for our company,” said Jordan Dewart, the newly-appointed President of Yusen Logistics (Mexico) S.A. de C.V. “This investment demonstrates our commitment to meet the growing logistics needs of the markets we serve. Yusen Logistics’ global reach gives us a clear advantage in the Mexico automotive market.”

The warehouse, slated to be operational by the end of this year, will feature 10,764 square feet of office space, 10 dock doors, a large trailer yard and an ocean container depot. There is room for expansion, including the capacity to double the amount of warehouse and office space and add a cross-dock facility with 30 dock doors.

Last year, Yusen Logistics (Mexico) S.A. de C.V. launched an automotive logistics division in Celaya, Mexico, and established a customs office in the Mexico City Airport, as well as a cross-dock office for air exports outside the airport. The company also arranges significant U.S./Mexico cross-border rail and trucking for its customers and partners with its affiliate, Yusen Logistics (Americas), which operates a 100,000-square-foot warehouse in Laredo, Texas.