“Logistics operators are crucial in evaluating costs and alternatives, guiding and advising to find the best solutions,” states Gabriel, underscoring the significant impact that operational costs have on connecting local production with international markets.
The challenges are numerous. In agricultural machinery, depending on the type of equipment, one faces the logistical hurdle of achieving a proper containerization. It is essential that the equipment fits into a container to streamline the entire process. However, sometimes there are implements that, due to the characteristics of fieldwork, are large and difficult to fit into a container. This is an aspect that companies begin to consider from the design stage of the product.
Furthermore, one must evaluate how many parts can be dismantled. This is not only relevant in the factory where all resources are available but also thinking about the recipient. That container must be opened, unloaded, and assembled correctly at the destination.
In this sector, studying how to send parts in the best possible way, with suitable supports to avoid damage, is one of the most significant challenges. Since we are far from the main markets, it elevates the logistical costs. Therefore, everything needs to be optimized as much as possible.
When it isn’t feasible to use a traditional container, the role of the logistics operator becomes pivotal. Here, professional advice and experience are critical. One doesn’t always know all the alternatives for dispatching a cargo. In the beginning, many years ago, I learned about “ro-ro ships,” which allow for loading complete machines, like a harvester, directly as if it were a parking lot. There are also “flat rack” containers and “open top” containers, among other options I became acquainted with thanks to logistics operators. Sometimes one can send one part in a container and another by a different method. They help evaluate costs and alternatives, making their role essential: guiding and advising to find the best solution.
International operations are exposed to many setbacks, some predictable and others unexpected. One tries to anticipate what can be foreseen: ensuring payment, meeting deadlines, and avoiding errors in documents. Personally, I pay close attention to ensuring that the cargo arrives in the best manner possible, without causing any inconveniences to the recipient. It’s important to facilitate the unloading process, because deadlines for the return of containers are strict: they must be clean, in good condition, and within the stipulated time. All of this influences the smooth flow of operations.
We have a virtuous agro-industrial sector. Agricultural production in Argentina is excellent. There are top-level professionals, a strong capacity for entrepreneurship, and innovation. The conditions are right, but macro-economic stability, a strong currency, and a medium to long-term perspective are needed for this to translate into concrete actions. Regarding agricultural machinery, which I know well, we are in a very good position globally. This is a traditional industry with an innovative spirit that can compete in all markets. Argentine machinery is valued and respected, providing a solid foundation for continued growth.
Innovation has always been a hallmark of agricultural machinery. Argentine manufacturers work closely with farmers, forcing them to respond rapidly to their needs. The Argentine farmer is very innovative, constantly looking to maximize production and requiring machines that keep pace. That’s why manufacturers respond to this demand. Additionally, they rely on institutions that have been pivotal, such as INTA, and newer ones, like producer associations or continuous improvement groups, which are always pushing for enhancements.
In recent years, the pace of change has accelerated with the arrival of digital technologies, precision agriculture, and now artificial intelligence. Numerous startups are already working in this domain, with more emerging, placing Argentina in a prominent position, even on a global scale. This innovation is reflected annually at industry exhibitions, where new and surprising developments continually emerge.
Looking back, it all begins with a question of vision. In the company where I work, that vision came from the owners, who dared not to limit themselves solely to the domestic market and decided to pursue exports. This wasn’t immediate; it started with exports to the region, such as Bolivia, Uruguay, and slightly farther afield to Peru and Central America. However, there has always been a clear decision to invest in foreign trade.
This also involved dedicating personnel to this area, who were available to travel, attend to new markets, and receive training. Not every company has a department for foreign trade, but at the least, they should have someone specifically trained in this area, with knowledge of language, logistics, and Incoterms.