Apex's Jorge Bayona on Building a Supply Chain Strategy for Latin America

Anyone can buy a plane. What sets a logistics company apart in Latin America is whether the people on the ground trust it with their cargo. Earning that trust takes time, local knowledge, and a commitment to understanding what makes each market different. In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton and Scott DeGroot speak with Jorge Bayona, Vice President for Latin America at Apex Logistics International, about how companies can incorporate the region into their supply chain strategies to improve agility, diversify risk, and unlock growth. Jorge shares his journey from ADM to Deutsche Post and DHL, through leading the expansion of FEMSA Group’s logistics division, Solistica, to building Apex’s Latin American footprint across 18 countries in about two and a half years. Drawing on that experience, he explains why the region can’t be measured by a single average, why the right to play and the right to win are two different things, and why each market rewards a different approach. The conversation explores nearshoring opportunities, emerging trade corridors, regional challenges, and the roles of Miami, Panama, and Mexico as key logistics gateways. Jorge also shares what businesses should look for in a logistics partner, why complementarity matters more than size, and how strong local relationships help companies navigate the region with confidence and build more resilient supply chains. Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Introduction (03:39) Jorge Bayona on growing up on the island of San Andres, Colombia (04:44) The grandmother who ran a gas station and the grandfather who was a general (07:59) From ADM to DHL to Solistica: Jorge's career path (13:34) What Apex Logistics International does and how it grew in Latin America (22:47) The opportunities and weaknesses shaping supply chains in the region (28:55) The most common mistake: the right to play vs. the right to win (34:03) Four landscapes to evaluate before entering a market (39:43) Why patience and talent matter when entering a new region (45:15) Country by country: gateways and key markets across Latin America (53:17) What to look for in a logistics and supply chain partner Additional Links & Resources: Connect with Jorge Bayona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorge-bayona-iregui/ Learn more about Apex Logistics International: http://www.apexglobe.com Connect with Scott DeGroot: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-degroot-4600368/ Upcoming Live Programming: https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/ Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/ Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk Learn more about Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions: http://blueyonder.com/cognitive Learn more about M.F.G.inc’s Frontline Leadership Certificate: MFG.inc/training WEBINAR- The Real ROI of AI Analytics in the Supply Chain: Better Answers When Everyone Starts Asking: https://bit.ly/3TpCX6u WEBINAR- The Cost of Skipping the Audit: Why Site Scans Should Come Before Every Pallet, Crate, or Wood Packaging RFQ: https://bit.ly/4AJzReA WEBINAR- Supply Chain Planning Reimagined: Agentic AI for Decision-Centric Planning: https://bit.ly/3VD1Nka WEBINAR- Rethinking the Supply Chain Management Classroom: https://bit.ly/4xJIkM2 WEBINAR- Detect, decide, deliver: improving disruption response across the supply chain: https://bit.ly/4rXhmiI This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Scott DeGroot and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/apex-building-supply-chain-strategy-latin-america-1647 The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now. For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at [email protected] © 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.