FORUM CRE strengthens its presence in South Texas’ Rio Grande Valley amid shifts in cross-border trade.

The transformation of supply chains between Mexico and the United States is creating new opportunities for the industrial and logistics real estate market in South Texas, as companies redefine the location of their operations in response to changes in trade rules.

In this context, FORUM CRE strengthened its presence in the Rio Grande Valley with the opening of a new office in McAllen, seeking to consolidate regional coverage across the main border markets from Brownsville to Laredo.

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new office, Carlo Molano, president of FORUM CRE, highlighted that the firm has nearly two decades of experience operating in the region and that the opening represents a step toward greater regionalization of its services.

“Having a physical office under the new company, FORUM CRE, represents progress for us toward a regionalization that we are seeing along the border, something that is happening and that will continue to happen and become stronger,” he said.

Molano explained that a physical presence in McAllen will allow the company to provide its clients with a perspective that extends beyond a single city and to address opportunities throughout the border region.

“It gives our clients much greater certainty knowing that we can support them throughout the region, not just in one city, but in all the cities along the border, from Laredo to Brownsville,” he added.

Changes in supply chains drive the border real estate market

One of the main factors reshaping the real estate landscape is the relocation of productive activities and changes in trade conditions between the two countries.

According to Molano, the rules of the game for companies are changing significantly, which could lead certain manufacturing processes to move to the U.S. side of the border, particularly in activities where factors such as regulatory compliance or labor conditions carry greater weight.

However, he said Mexico maintains a strong competitive position in the maquiladora sector, meaning that productive integration between the two countries will remain essential.

In this scenario, distribution centers are becoming particularly relevant, especially for handling products that are manufactured in Mexico and subsequently cross into the United States.

“Mexico remains much more competitive in the maquiladora sector, and the U.S. side of the border will continue to be where the product manufactured in Mexico crosses,” he explained.

For the Rio Grande Valley market, Molano identified significant opportunities related to the distribution of perishable products, an activity that continues to have a strong presence in McAllen.

Toward the western part of the region, he explained, greater diversification is beginning to emerge in sectors such as electronics and automotive, while changes in commodities and supply chains could further accelerate the diversification of border corridors.

Logistics infrastructure will also be a determining factor in where companies choose to establish operations across different border markets.

Molano noted that factors such as the availability of transportation, the type of equipment required —from dry vans to refrigerated units— and the balance of freight flows between Mexico and the United States are elements that companies must consider when selecting a location.

Corridors between the Bajío, Monterrey and Texas strengthen the logistics network

One of the perspectives outlined by the president of FORUM CRE is that different ports and border crossings do not necessarily have to compete with one another, but instead can function as part of a complementary logistics network.

“Each port has a unique advantage, and each port has a strategic position for a type of product that does not necessarily compete with the others,” he said.

This perspective is particularly relevant given the growth of corridors connecting northeastern Mexico with Texas.

FORUM CRE identifies one of its main activity corridors as the connection between the Bajío and northeastern Mexico —particularly Monterrey and Saltillo— and the Rio Grande Valley and Laredo.

In terms of highway infrastructure, Molano expects border connectivity to become increasingly important, particularly with the development of Highway 69, while Interstate 35 remains one of Texas’ main north-south transportation arteries.

In addition to McAllen and Laredo, the firm sees significant opportunities in Brownsville, where the growth of activities linked to SpaceX could transform the regional market over the coming years.

“I think it is very important over the next 5 to 10 years,” Molano said, referring to the development expected around Brownsville.

With the opening of its McAllen office, located at 1400 N McColl Rd., Suite 207, FORUM CRE is advancing its efforts to support the evolution of an increasingly integrated border market, where manufacturing, logistics, distribution and infrastructure are redefining companies’ real estate needs.