TRADE FACILITATORS, INC.

Consulting Services in the Fields of Global Supply Chain Management, Logistics & Trade Compliance

“At TFI, we provide consulting services specific to international supply chain management, logistics & transportation, and U.S. trade compliance. Within these areas of expertise, we create value by trading in two currencies: ‘Know How’ and ‘Know Who’, the proper combination of which maximizes the client’s ROI with Trade Facilitators."

- Dan Gardner, Co-Founder of Trade Facilitators, Inc.

The TFI Value Proposition: The Company Name Says It All

Trade Facilitators, Inc. was founded in 2007 by logistics industry veteran Dan Gardner and the former Big Five consulting executive, Patricia Gardner. Headquartered next to the Los Angeles/Long Beach Port Complex in Palos Verdes, California, TFI’s service offering focuses on three areas: Supply Chain & Logistics consulting for Beneficial Cargo Owners, a specialized practice dedicated to Mexico Nearshoring and consulting & fractional marketing services for firms in the Logistics Technology space.

As the name states, TFI is all about trade facilitation. Through a Value Proposition built on knowledge transfer, we assist clients in achieving competitive advantage through the application of innovative techniques, field-proven tactics and best practices.

The TFI Service Portfolio

Supply Chain, Logistics & Trade Compliance Consulting

Competitive Advantage Through Superior Execution

Trade Facilitators, Inc. is a Los Angeles based consultancy that specializes in the fields of global supply chain management, logistics and import/export trade compliance. With over thirty years of multi-industry experience, TFI combines in-house talent with an international network of Subject Matter Experts to design integrated, customer-centric operations that maximize product sales, drive down landed costs, compress cumulative lead times and optimize inventory investment.

The Trade Facilitators Value Proposition is founded on six core variables: knowledge transfer, relationship capital, process design, enabling technologies, financial outcomes and responsible corporate citizenship. Whether an organization needs to conduct a Current State Analysis of its entire import supply chain, is exploring a Nearshoring strategy in Mexico or needs help negotiating transportation contracts, TFI has the knowledge, empathy and flexibility to craft programs that maximize your ROI.

Services in the TFI’s consulting practices are:

Current State Analysis and implementation of recommendations for import/export supply chains
Design of integrated import supply chain programs (P.O. management, origin logistics, international transportation, U.S. customs and domestic on-forwarding)
Ocean freight, air freight & domestic transportation bid management
Development of U.S. import/export trade compliance programs
Product evaluation for duty free treatment under U.S. Free Trade Agreements
Set-up and operation of U.S.-based Foreign Trade Zone facilities
Evaluation, selection and implementation of trade-related technology solutions
Training programs in supply chain, logistics & trade compliance
Expert Report Writing & Expert Witness services for supply chain-related legal proceedings

Nearshoring to Mexico

Comprehensive Due Diligence for Mexico Manufacturing & Product Sourcing

A Mexico-based nearshoring strategy has great potential, but things can quickly turn to “Dearshoring” (as in, “it will cost you dearly”) if the proper due diligence isn’t conducted. Whether you’re looking to construct a new production site, vet contract manufacturers or conduct a USMCA product qualification analysis, U.S. companies need to partner with someone that has the “Know How” and “Know Who” to be successful.

With over twenty years of experience working the Mexico trade that includes a four-year assignment as President of Latin America for Exel Global Logistics in Guadalajara, the principles of TFI have a unique perspective on the financial, operational, logistical and compliance requirements inherent to any nearshoring project.

Through a combination of in-house expertise and access to an in-country network of attorneys, tax specialists, real estate developers, manufacturers, IMMEX & USMCA experts, and logistics specialists, TFI offers the following portfolio of services to firms seeking nearshoring opportunities in Mexico:

Administrative and regulatory guidance to open a company in Mexico
Banking and tax expertise
Site selection analysis
Contract manufacturer and supplier vetting
Determination of duty-free product eligibility under USMCA
Import/Export regulatory compliance
Working with IMMEX manufacturers in Mexico
Logistics network design
Landed Cost Analysis for goods shipment to the U.S.

Integral to its portfolio of services in Mexico, Trade Facilitators, Inc. is proud to be a strategic partner of Mexico Sourcing, a Ciudad Juárez-based company with over 30 years experience in areas that include Supplier Relationship Development & Management, contract manufacturing, nearshoring, international & domestic logistics, and IMMEX programs.

Fractional Marketing Support

Advisory & Fractional Marketing Services for GTM Software Providers

With over three decades of experience crafting Value Propositions, TFI offers Marketing On Demand services to companies engaged in international commerce. With particular expertise in supporting Global Trade Management software firms and offshore firms seeking representation in the U.S., Trade Facilitators knows how to set its clients apart from the “maddening crowd”.

Through its “MOD Squad” approach, TFI provides a combination of core services that can be contracted on an individual or bundled basis. Whether you need a single white paper, a webinar series or want to augment inside sales, TFI has the creative chops and market access to help you build brand awareness, generate quality sales leads and ultimately, close new business.

Elements of the MOD Squad service portfolio include: