Parts Sales Manager

Guanajuato Puerto Interior reaches $6.5 billion investment. By MBN Staff | MBN staff - Wed, 10/07/2026 - 16:53 DIA assistant Summary: Guanajuato Puerto Interior (GPI) marks 20 years with US$6.5 billion in accumulated investment, 140 companies from 19 countries and more than 40,000 direct jobs, reinforcing its role as a major industrial and logistics platform in Guanajuato and the Bajio region. New projects such as AutoZone's US$183 million distribution center in Leon highlight the region's continued expansion of manufacturing, logistics infrastructure, workforce development and supply-chain connectivity. Guanajuato Puerto Interior (GPI) has marked 20 years of operations with US$6.5 billion in accumulated investment, 140 companies from 19 countries and more than 40,000 direct jobs, underscoring the industrial and logistics platform's role in Guanajuato's economic development. The complex was established to create employment, training and economic opportunities in the state. Two decades later, its expansion has concentrated international investment, business activity and talent while contributing to Guanajuato's export capacity and strengthening its position within Mexico's manufacturing and logistics networks. The platform's development also continues to attract new investment. AutoZone recently broke ground on a US$183 million distribution center in Leon, Guanajuato, adding logistics capacity to a state that is seeking to expand its industrial base and improve connections between companies, suppliers, workers and regional markets, reported MBN. Gpi Builds Long-Term Industrial Investment GPI's 20-year trajectory reflects the importance of continuity in developing large-scale industrial infrastructure. The complex has become a platform for companies from multiple countries while supporting relationships between businesses, educational institutions and government authorities. Guanajuato Gov. Libia Dennise García Muñoz Ledo said the project's development has depended on maintaining a long-term strategy and building on previous efforts. "A project like Guanajuato Puerto Interior only reaches its true scope when there is continuity and a long-term vision," García Muñoz Ledo said. GPI Director General Héctor López Santillana similarly highlighted the role of planning and collaboration among companies, educational institutions and authorities in consolidating the complex. That collaboration extends to workforce development, with GPI maintaining links with academic institutions to expose students to industrial operations and facilitate their transition into the labor market. The approach reflects the growing importance of talent development alongside physical infrastructure as companies evaluate locations for investment and expansion. New Logistics Investment Expands Guanajuato's Footprint The combination of an established industrial platform and new logistics projects is increasing Guanajuato's capacity to serve regional supply chains. AutoZone's distribution center in Leon illustrates how companies can use the state not only as a manufacturing location but also as a logistics base for serving broader markets. AutoZone is investing US$183 million in the facility at Plataforma Industrial Leon-Bajio (PILBA), where the company broke ground on Sept. 28. The center will occupy 194,832 m2 and is expected to generate approximately 600 jobs. The project will strengthen AutoZone's distribution network across the Bajio and western Mexico while supporting the company's expanding retail operations. AutoZone entered Guanajuato in July 2005 and now operates 55 stores in the state, employing approximately 500 people, reported MBN. The new facility could therefore more than double AutoZone's workforce in Guanajuato while adding a significant distribution operation to its existing retail presence. Leon Strengthens Regional Distribution Connections AutoZone's investment also demonstrates the importance of location, infrastructure and access to markets in attracting logistics projects. The company operates more than 900 stores and employs approximately 12,000 people in Mexico, making distribution capacity increasingly important to its national network. Domingo Hurtado, AutoZone's senior vice president of international operations, said the local business environment was an important factor in the company's investment decision. "The importance is finding the right environment to decide where to invest, and here we have found it," Hurtado said. PILBA provides infrastructure intended to support industrial and logistics activities, including an electrical substation, natural gas supply, wastewater treatment, fiber-optic connectivity and multimodal access. The platform also hosts companies such as Amazon and Mercado Libre. Its location provides connections to Federal Highway 45, Guanajuato International Airport and major industrial corridors in the Bajio. Leon is approximately two hours from Aguascalientes, Guadalajara, Queretaro and San Luis Potosi, providing access to several major economic centers. Infrastructure And Talent Shape Gpi's Next Stage As GPI enters its third decade, its development is increasingly tied to the broader requirements of companies operating in interconnected supply chains. Investment, logistics infrastructure, local suppliers and skilled workers are becoming complementary factors in determining the competitiveness of industrial regions. GPI has also expanded services aimed at supporting the workforce. In February 2026, the complex inaugurated new facilities for Guardería VIDA, providing childcare services for mothers and fathers working within the business ecosystem. The initiative forms part of Guanajuato SUMA, which seeks to connect investment, talent and local companies while expanding opportunities for women and young people. The 20th-anniversary activities also included the presentation of a book documenting GPI's development and the documentary series "Una visión que trasciende," which will be broadcast by TV4.

AutoZone is prioritising its domestic distribution network for fiscal year 2027, slowing its Brazil expansion to focus on the US and Mexico. President and CEO Philip Daniele announced the completion of US distribution centre expansion, including two new distribution facilities and two direct import facilities. The auto parts retailer invested approximately $1.5 billion in capital expenditure this year, primarily for store growth and hub expansion. AutoZone plans similar investment levels in FY 2027. The company is accelerating its "mega hub" strategy, operating 172 mega hub stores carrying over 100,000 SKUs. AutoZone opened 39 mega hubs this year and plans to open more than 40 in FY 2027, targeting 300 total mega hubs within three years. Commercial programmes linked to mega hub networks sell 16% more annually than other programmes. Supply chain investments that began in 2020 have driven an 8.4% year-over-year sales increase.

AutoZone hones in on domestic distribution network. The auto parts retailer opened 16 mega hubs this quarter and 39 this year in total as it advances its inventory replenishment strategy. Published Oct. 2, 2026 Dive brief: * AutoZone is focusing on its domestic market for fiscal year 2027, slowing the pace of its Brazil expansion to concentrate on the U.S. and Mexico, President and CEO Philip Daniele said during a Sept. 22 earnings call. * Supply chain investments and upgrades are part of the long-term growth initiative, with Daniele noting that AutoZone's U.S. distribution center expansion is complete with two new distribution facilities and two direct import facilities. * "We have completed the vast majority of the technology upgrades needed to accommodate a much more dynamic and global supply chain," Daniele told analysts. Dive insight: AutoZone's supply chain investments that started in 2020 are now in the final stages of completion, Daniele told analysts. In Q3, Daniele told analysts that efforts to strengthen AutoZone's supply chain drove an 8.4% year-over-year increase in sales. This year, AutoZone invested about $1.5 billion in CapEx primarily placed toward store growth and hubs and mega hubs, Daniele said. The auto parts retailer expects to invest a similar amount in FY 2027. "We ultimately had to do some work in our supply chain to make sure we were able to service our base stores that we had and do that well and efficiently, and we needed to expand our supply chain to make sure that we could accommodate what we believe is the right strategy in new store growth," Daniele said. AutoZone has accelerated its growth in "mega hubs" over the last few years - a core part of its replenishment model. In 2024, for instance, the retailer targeted 200 hubs but is now working toward its goal of operating 300 mega hubs over the next three years. The hubs typically carry over 100,000 SKUs, serve as an expanded assortment source for other stores and help drive sales. "One of the reasons that we moved our targets from 75 to 110, and ultimately to 300 is that when we attach a mega hub to a satellite network, we see an acceleration, and it's a dynamic that we continue to see," CFO of Customer Satisfaction Jamere Jackson said on the call. "When you jam more parts in the local market closer to the customer, then to Phil's point, it drives sales." AutoZone opened 16 mega hubs during the quarter and 39 for the year, Jackson said. In total, the retailer operates 172 mega hub stores. AutoZone plans to open more than 40 mega hubs in FY 2027. "Let me provide one other piece of perspective on the importance of mega hubs," Jackson said. "There are approximately 2,000 commercial programs that are linked to a mega hub network. These programs sell 16% more annually than the balance of the commercial programs in the chain." Elsewhere in its supply chain, Daniele reported that AutoZone's new distribution center in Brazil is complete and already reducing supply chain costs. Meanwhile, AutoZone's new distribution center in Monterrey, Mexico, is now double the size. "We opened our new expanded Monterrey, Mexico, distribution center and broke ground on another planned DC in Mexico," Daniele said. "This expanded Mexico supply chain will allow us to serve our customers better, reduce supply chain costs and better support our international store growth." Auto parts retail rival Advance Auto Parts is also making progress on its distribution consolidation strategy. Advance Auto Parts earlier this year reported that it was nearing the completion of its distribution overhaul. More recently in August, Advance Auto Parts said company leaders are accelerating the pace of openings this year by planning to open up to 20 market hub locations. President and CEO Shane O'Kelly said during an earnings call in August that the retailer aims to operate 60 market hub locations by mid-2027.