Founded in 2013, Onboard Logistics is a freight forwarding company proving international air, sea and land transportation and logistics with a presence in more than 14 countries across North America, Latin America and Europe. As a notable facilitator in import/export trade between the U.S. and Latin America, it has built its reputation on combining regional and local expertise with groundbreaking technology.
With more than 350 people employed worldwide and agents in 80+ countries, Onboard Logistics set itself apart from the competition with its exceptional customer-centric approach and adaptability in a competitive industry.
Navigating industry and operational hurdles
As Onboard Logistics expanded geographically, its logistics management systems weren’t equipping them to deal with the regulatory complexities across borders.
Rodrigo Sosa Quiroga, Vice President of Onboard Logistics, explains, “The Latin American market is unique. It requires country-specific expertise while also considering the region as a whole. Every country has its own set of regulations - Brazil is different from Uruguay, and Mexico has its own challenges. Compliance isn’t easy.”
The company struggled with managing multiple siloed systems that hindered collaboration and reduced operational efficiency due, in part, to legacy systems and manual workflows that could not scale to meet the demands of their growing operations.
“Managing this diversity required a platform that could adapt to the unique demands of each market,” explained Pablo Martinez, CEO of Onboard Logistics.
The pandemic heightened these inefficiencies and lost opportunities, increasing the need for effective supply chains. Seeing this as a catalyst for change, the team implemented CargoWise in 2020 for its unmatched freight forwarding capabilities, real-time tracking, centralized data management, and regional compliance.
Solving regional challenges with a centralized approach
Implementing CargoWise enabled Onboard Logistics to manage its operations seamlessly, even in the complex regulatory environments of Latin America. More importantly, it allowed the company to centralize information across all regions.
“The pandemic showed us we needed software to control operations and navigate the complexities across different countries,” said Pablo. “CargoWise gave us control, visibility and the tools to work with different currencies and regulations in each country. Centralizing data and system monitoring across the board enabled us to seamlessly integrate with accounting systems and provide a single database to handle operations efficiently."
CargoWise helped meet and exceed Onboard’s customers' demand for detailed communication, interaction, and faster solutions with its ability to connect and communicate data across respective systems — all while ensuring that customers received the best service.
Rodrigo explained, “Customers value speed and transparency, and expect the same visibility they get with companies like Amazon or UPS. With CargoWise, we can give them real-time updates and handle requests faster than ever before. Within two hours of cargo arrival, all information is live in our system, including images and documentation. If you can’t connect across systems, you are limited. CargoWise keeps us connected with all players.”
Results-driven growth
As Onboard Logistics measures the impact of CargoWise on its operations, there have been considerable results over the last four years.
"We implemented dimensioner machines connected to CargoWise and other software, which increased warehouse productivity by 300% and helped us keep costs low while approaching high-end customers who require such solutions,” said Rodrigo.
“CargoWise works everywhere. When we open offices in new countries, the software makes it easy to expand operations quickly and maintain the same level of service. It gives us confidence to think globally.”
The leadership team acknowledged that a successful digital transformation required organizational and cultural change, with employee willingness to adopt and adapt key to the innovation journey.
“People were initially hesitant about the new system,” admitted Janery Saenz, USA Chief Compliance and Wellness Office. “But once they saw how it improved their work, they became its biggest advocates.”
CargoWise centralized data and streamlined workflows, allowing employees to process shipments faster and with fewer errors. Employees embraced the system as it simplified their day-to-day tasks.
“What used to take hours now takes minutes,” said Janery. “Operators can create a new shipment in less than three minutes. That’s a game-changer. Before, we spent so much time on manual paperwork. Now, we can focus on what we love - helping customers and building relationships. It’s also made work-life balance better. People can go home on time, knowing everything is in one place.”
Employee-centric implementation made easy
The implementation process was designed for speed and scalability while addressing the unique needs of different regions. Onboard Logistics partnered with CargoWise-certified consultants to roll out the platform across ten countries in its initial phase.
“Our Partners were incredible,” said Janery. “They understood our industry’s nuances and helped us implement the system smoothly, even under tight deadlines.”
Training emphasized a human-centric approach. “We formed small units led by experienced team members who trained their colleagues,” Janery explained. “This personal touch made the transition less intimidating and more collaborative.”
The team successfully onboarded the U.S. offices in just four months, with other regions following suit.
The future of Onboard Logistics
With CargoWise as a foundation, Onboard Logistics is gearing up for further expansion and innovation. The company plans to bring its Latin-inspired service culture to more countries in Europe. Plans also include opening a new office in Houston and increasing their market share in major U.S. cities.
“Latin Americans bring a unique warmth and empathy to business,” Pablo noted. “We want to combine that with European precision. We can now explore markets in Europe and grow our presence in the U.S. without worrying about operational bottlenecks.”
Onboard Logistics is also exploring artificial intelligence to enhance predictive analytics and customer segmentation. “AI is the future,” Pablo said. “With the data we have in CargoWise, we can make smarter decisions and serve our customers even better.”
Onboard Logistics’ transformation demonstrates the power of combining innovative technology with a strong organizational culture. As Saenz summarized, “CargoWise gave us the tools to scale, but it’s our people and their dedication to excellence that make it all possible.”
Pablo added, “In this industry, if you don’t adapt, you fall behind. We’re committed to staying ahead - through technology, through our people, and through our passion for what we do.”