Inchcape, the British multinational company, announced the launch of a new logistics platform based in Panama, an initiative that will enhance its operational responsiveness in Central America and the Caribbean. This decision reflects Panama's growing role as a regional logistics hub and its importance within the company's growth strategy.
Since its arrival in the country in 2018, the world's leading independent automotive distributor has established a strong presence in the Panamanian market. It currently represents the Suzuki brand, employs over 200 colleagues, and operates a network of six branches. Additionally, Inchcape was recently recognised as the best-performing Suzuki workshop distributor in Latin America, reaffirming its commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and delivering value to customers, manufacturers, and strategic partners.
The consolidation of Panama as a strategic platform for the company is driven by factors such as its privileged geographical location, connectivity, and logistics infrastructure, which have positioned the country as a key reference point for regional trade and distribution. These strengths have been decisive in the company's decision to continue expanding its regional presence from Panama and further deepen its regional integration.
As part of this commitment to the country, the company has launched the Inchcape Hub Center project. Located in Panama Pacifico, the centre will optimise supply chain management for Central America and the Caribbean. This will strengthen regional integration, enhancing the connection between the company's operations in North, Central, and South America, and delivering greater value to customers and manufacturers.
“This investment reflects Inchcape's confidence in Panama as a strategic platform to continue driving our growth in Central America and the Caribbean. Its connectivity, infrastructure, and geographical position enable us to strengthen our regional operations and deliver greater value to customers, manufacturers, and strategic partners,” said Franklin Fernandes, Logistics Director CARCAM at Inchcape.
The future centre will feature over 5,500 square metres dedicated to the regional distribution of spare parts and is part of Accelerate+, the organisation's global strategy aimed at driving more efficient operations and continuing to create value for manufacturers, dealers, and customers in the markets where it operates.
“The Inchcape Hub Center is a strategic investment that will expand our capacity to support the company's growth in Central America and the Caribbean. Beyond the infrastructure, this project represents a long-term commitment to building an increasingly integrated, agile, and responsive regional operation to meet the needs of our customers and manufacturers,” said Matías Andreani, General Manager of the CARCAM cluster.
In the coming months, the company will progressively advance the development of the Inchcape Hub Center facilities, with operations set to begin in November. At that time, the company will provide further details about the centre's capabilities, its operations, and the tangible benefits it will bring to customers, manufacturers, and regional markets.