In today’s rapidly shifting global economy, Mexico has emerged as a strategic hub for trade, technology, and nearshoring. At the center of this transformation stands Roberto Carlos Castolo Vélez, a seasoned leader with more than 25 years of experience bridging markets between Mexico, Asia and the United States. As part of COPARMEX (Mexican Employers’ Confederation), CANACINTRA (National Chamber of the Manufacturing Industry) and AEM (Mexican Business Association) has become a highly positioned key player. Through his company Semudmex (United Semiconductors of Mexico) Roberto is redefining how businesses expand internationally, combining deep expertise in logistics, foreign trade, and softlanding strategies with a forward-looking vision for sustainable economic growth.
A Career Built on Global Bridges
Roberto’s journey began at the turn of the millennium, leading major textile trade operations with Asian companies like Shin Yhi Fiber Industrial and Tex Ray Industrial. He not only facilitated Mexico’s first textile quotas from Asia but also secured $4 million USD in direct credits for Mexican firms. By 2005, he was pioneering softlanding projects that connected companies across borders, laying the foundation for what would become a lifetime mission: enabling businesses to thrive internationally.
In 2008, he founded Cambalache Soluciones, a key supplier for retail giants such as Walmart, Liverpool, H.E.B and Palacio de Hierro. The company introduced innovative seamless products into Mexico’s retail market, achieving annual sales of over $15 million USD.
Over the years, Roberto expanded his impact by working with multinational players such as Foxconn, Quanta, Moss, Inventec, Wistron, and Pegatron, generating $125 million USD in trade and moving more than 500 containers per year. These milestones were not just numbers—they were proof of his ability to connect cultures, industries, and governments.
Semudmex: Innovation in Trade and Technology
Roberto’s vision culminated in the founding of Semudmex, a platform dedicated to transforming how foreign companies establish themselves in Mexico and how Mexican firms scale abroad. Unlike traditional consulting firms, SEMUDMEX is an expert integrator of the industrial supply chain integrate regulatory compliance, logistics, and corporate soft landing into a single model. With offices in both Mexico and the United States, Semudmex has positioned itself as a strategic partner for corporations, startups, and governments alike.
The company specializes in:
• Softlanding and Nearshoring: Designing and executing strategies for international companies entering Mexico’s market.
• Compliance and Government Relations: Navigating regulations and building bridges with local authorities.
• Supply Chain and Customs Expertise: Ensuring efficiency and trust across borders.
• Cultural Integration: Helping Asian, European, and North American companies adapt and thrive in Mexico.
Semudmex has already played a pivotal role in major projects: representing CleanHub (Germany) in Mexico with global clients like Danone, facilitating the entry of Nexina (South Korea), and landing the investment of Shijing Solar Power to build the largest solar panel plant of its kind in Mexico.
The company is also a partner of Alibaba.com and an active collaborator with organizations like TAITRA, KOTRA, and the Bank of China. This network positions Semudmex as more than a consultancy—it is a gateway to Mexico’s role in the global economy.
Mexico at the Heart of Nearshoring
Roberto argued that nearshoring is not a passing trend but a structural transformation of North America’s economy that has accelerated the relocation of companies, creating a unique opportunity for those seeking resilient, secure supply chains that are close to market. As Mexico consolidates its position as the top supplier to the U.S., industries such as aerospace, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing are driving a new era of regional integration.
“Mexico is not just receiving investment—it’s reclaiming its talent,” Roberto explains. Skilled professionals who once migrated abroad are returning, bringing with them international experience and innovation. For him, this human capital is just as critical as foreign investment in shaping Mexico’s future.
A Vision for the Future
What sets Roberto apart is not only his track record but his transformational vision: anticipating global trends, fostering strategic alliances, and executing projects that connect markets, cultures, and technologies. From textiles to semiconductors, from logistics to renewable energy, his journey is a testament to Mexico’s ability to lead in global trade.
Through SEMUDMEX, Roberto Castolo provides international companies with more than just entry into Mexico—he offers a strategic partner that combines local knowledge with a global vision. With a proven model in key sectors such as semiconductors, renewable energy, and logistics, SEMUDMEX enables investors and corporations to enter Mexico with security, profitability, and the certainty that their projects will thrive in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.
For businesses looking to expand, the message is clear: Mexico is open for business, and Semudmex is the partner that makes it possible.
