Gerardo Zapien Arguelles

Steel and Mining Company

Key Responsibilities & Achievements

• Optimized global supply chain operations, coordinating 900 of national and international shipments per month, resulting in a 40% reduction in transit time and $14 million usd in cost savings.
• Negotiated and secured cost-effective freight contracts for sea, land, air, and rail transportation across Europe, Asia, South America, and Central America, generating $15M in annual savings.
• Managed and supervised 3,000+ import declarations monthly across multiple customs locations, ensuring compliance and operational efficiency.
• Led logistics and transportation planning for a $140M expansion project, successfully delivering 3,000+ tons of materials while achieving $19M in cost and time savings.
• Executed the acquisition and importation of a steel plant from Sparrows Point, Baltimore, coordinating logistics, disassembly, and shipment to Mexico. This company manufacture around 23 million of steel a year.
• Hired and managed the chartering of a cargo vessel for a 10,000-ton shipment (900 pieces), achieving $20M in cost reductions.
• Negotiated and reduced costs on tariffs and agreements with shipping companies, customs terminals, freight forwarders, and customs agents, securing $23M in savings.
• Contributed to the $300M AHMSA Fenix Project, leading logistics and import planning that resulted in $5M in savings.
• Optimized import/export logistics for AHMSA Mining Group, improving delivery times by 70% and generating $5M in cost reductions.
• Implemented streamlined international logistics processes, reducing delays, transportation accidents, and document losses, resulting in $3M in annual savings.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

• Supervised customs inspections and quality control processes, ensuring compliance with import/export regulations and improving operational efficiency.
• Managed inventory control for 10 warehoused goods and impounded vehicles, optimizing space utilization and processing times.
• Provided expert consulting to businesses on import/export operations, helping companies reduce costs and expedite customs clearance.
• Developed and led training programs for customs employees, enhancing service quality and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Key contributor to achieving ISO 9001:2000 certification, making Monterrey Customs the first in Mexico to obtain this quality standard.
• Conducted audits for domestic and international companies, ensuring adherence to foreign trade regulations and mitigating compliance risks.
• Resolved complex foreign trade cases, improving response times and ensuring accurate application of trade laws.