JAS IN THE AMERICAS

News From JAS Worldwide - Americas Focus

JAS Americas HQ

6195 Barfield Road

Atlanta GA, 30328

United States

Strategic Laredo Branch Provides Cross-Border Advantage

JAS Worldwide Leverages the Power of JAS Laredo to Grow and Increase a Cross-Border Presence

By
Eugenio Fumo
June 11, 2021

JAS Laredo opened in 2015 as a sales office dedicated to increasing the JAS cross-border traffic. Laredo offers JAS Worldwide a solid strategic location where the company can grow and increase its presence on both sides of the U.S. - Mexican border. This branch also creates solutions and acts as additional support for the JAS Worldwide network.  

JAS Laredo started as part of the JAS Houston Branch before becoming a satellite office. The move was made in conjunction with JAS McAllen, where their significant efforts contributed to JAS McAllen receiving a nomination for branch of the year in 2019. JAS Laredo focuses on selling cross-border business. Their specialties include transportation and US-Mexico customs brokerage, with a strong footprint in distribution and warehousing services.  

With much operational growth in 2017, Customs Entry Specialist Laura “Rocio” Enriquez joined the team.  She brings with her more than 10 years of experience in US/MX customs brokerage. With the support of JAS Compliance and Enriquez’s natural drive, the team has excelled in this area, building valuable and trusting relationships.  

In February 2021, the Laredo team moved into a state-of-the-art facility with direct access to third-party warehouses. JAS Laredo has two warehouses at its disposal, each one with about 60,000 square feet with 1,000 pallet positions. Under the leadership of Antonio Pastrana, Branch Manager, the Laredo team adopted an admirable understanding of the market and the intricacies of dealing with the United States and Mexican governments. The boutique concept to selling along the southern border and the consultancy approach with JAS Laredo’s customers has brought on new business and a newfound demand for the products and services offered.  

The Laredo team has proven expertise and true skill in establishing cross-border solutions, which has enabled JAS to stand out against its competitors, particularly in this volatile market. The Laredo team currently operates a distribution model for two of its key global customers, utilizing the customers’ systems and acting as an extension of their operations.  

Monica Ortiz, the Operational Supervisor, brings more than 20 years of experience in freight forwarding to the team. She specializes in 4-wall distribution and logistics, which supports JAS Laredo’s efforts in providing these additional services in Laredo while maintaining an impressive 98.5 percent inventory accuracy.  

Tracy Garcia, Transportation Supervisor, was JAS Laredo’s first hire, with years of experience in trucking and ground transportation from the carrier and broker/forwarder side of the business. Tracy’s impact on the JAS Laredo operation became clear immediately. Her level of dedication and enthusiasm is commendable. Regularly going the extra mile to ensure that our internal and external customers are satisfied, she provides a level of contagious positivity. Garcia is a team member who makes a difference.  

The JAS Laredo team is incredibly pleased with the developments taking place within the branch. JAS Laredo handles a vast customer portfolio of locally controlled and developed businesses. JAS Laredo provides trucking services, together with US and MX customs brokerage via multiple border crossings.  Similarly, JAS Laredo provides ground transportation services from multiple pick-up points in Mexico.

Like JAS Miami, the Laredo team has access to an FTZ (Foreign-Trade Zone, Inc.). This activation also allows JAS Laredo to provide specialized services related to FTZ operations. For legal purposes, this space is outside the customs territory of the United States, which provides the opportunity to offer weekly entry services, duty deferral for import goods, and duty eliminations for some export goods while also providing cost-saving measures. These are major benefits when operating along the border.

The Laredo team has gained a unique perspective from our Mexican brokerage side, truly operating in a cohesive manner, which has certainly allowed for the development of detailed and targeted solutions for our clients. The Laredo team is expanding by exceeding the industry standard. I am grateful to the team for their efforts in continuously remaining innovative and committed to our customers.
Congratulations JAS Laredo, what an inspiring branch! At JAS People Make the Difference!" Eugenio Fumo, CEO JAS USA

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JAS completes the Acquisition of IAA

ATLANTA, February 20, 2025 – JAS, a global leader in logistics and supply chain solutions, has successfully completed its acquisition International Airfreight Associates B.V. ("IAA"), a specialized provider of Air, Ocean and Road Freight services headquartered in the Netherlands. This milestone follows the signing of the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) announced in December 2024 and marks the official integration of IAA into the JAS network.

"The acquisition of IAA strengthens the JAS global logistics portfolio and access to key markets, particularly in the time-critical perishable goods sector," said Marco Rebuffi, CEO and President of JAS. "We are proud to welcome IAA's talented highly experienced team to JAS and are looking forward to delivering excellent service to our customers together."

Jur de Graaf, Managing Director of International Airfreight Associates, added, "Joining JAS allows us to expand our services globally and continue delivering high-quality logistics solutions for our customers. We are confident that our partnership will create new opportunities for our employees, partners and clients.”

IAA is one of the top 3 IATA forwarders at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport with Warehouses and Operations in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. IAA specializes in managing time-sensitive perishable fresh goods and livestock shipments as well as multimodal general cargo.

The acquisition strengthens JAS global service portfolio by enhancing the footprint in the European logistics market and beyond. Together, JAS and IAA teams will drive customer value through expanded service offerings, operational excellence, and an even broader global network.

About JAS

JAS, a global leader in logistics and supply chain solutions, was founded in Milan, Italy, in 1978. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and supported by 7,000+ team members in more than 100 countries, JAS focuses on creating solutions that are innovative, sustainable, and tailored to customer needs. As a privately owned company, JAS is committed to creating opportunities for communities, customers, and colleagues to thrive.

About International Airfreight Associates B.V.

International Airfreight Associates B.V. ("IAA") is a specialized provider of Air, Ocean and Road Freight services headquartered in the Netherlands. With nearly 100 employees and strategic locations and operations including Amsterdam, Aalsmeer, Rotterdam, and Frankfurt, the company specializes in moving fresh perishable goods, livestock and multimodal supply chain solutions for a diverse range of clients.

JAS Poland proudly took home three awards at the Lufthansa Cargo Partner Event in Warsaw, recognizing our outstanding performance in 2024.

On January 24, 2025, industry leaders gathered at the Renaissance Warsaw Airport Hotel to celebrate a year of collaboration with Lufthansa Cargo.

The evening brought together key partners to reflect on past achievements, discuss future opportunities, and recognize outstanding performance across the logistics sector.

JAS Poland had a standout night, earning three awards for exceptional performance in 2024:

  • 1st Place – Jumper of the Year 2024
  • 2nd Place – Performer in Revenue
  • 3rd Place – Performer in WACD Market Share

The event featured an inspiring speech by Ashwin Bhat, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo AG, and a panel discussion on the evolving landscape of e-commerce. The awards gala was a testament to the strong partnerships and shared success within the industry.

A heartfelt thank you to Lufthansa Cargo for their continued trust and collaboration. Here’s to another year of reaching new heights!

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The European Union's Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate is set to reshape the aviation industry, requiring airlines to incorporate a minimum of 2% SAF in their fuel mix starting in 2025. This regulation represents a major step toward reducing carbon emissions, but it also brings substantial cost challenges for carriers operating across Europe.

Impact on Freight Costs and Sustainability Surcharges

The implementation of the SAF mandate is driving up operational costs for airlines, directly influencing freight rates. To offset these additional expenses, airlines are introducing mandatory sustainability surcharges on shipments departing from or transiting through European airports. While this presents immediate financial challenges, it also serves as a catalyst for innovation and investment in alternative fuels, paving the way for a more sustainable aviation sector.

Balancing Cost and Sustainability

As airlines adapt to these regulatory changes, they must navigate the delicate balance between cost management and environmental responsibility. The evolution of SAF production, along with advancements in supply chain logistics, will play a critical role in determining how efficiently the industry can meet these mandates. Collaboration between fuel suppliers, airlines, and logistics partners will be essential to ensuring a smooth transition.

Stay Informed with JAS

To help our customers understand the implications of this new regulation, we invite you to download HERE the JAS One-Pager on the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation. This resource provides a clear and user-friendly overview of the changes and their impact on airfreight logistics. Additionally, you can visit the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation website for further details (ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation website )

At JAS, we are committed to clear and transparent communication regarding regulatory changes affecting global supply chains. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your nearest JAS representative for more information and tailored support.

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