Talking about Vallejo is no longer just talking about an “industrial zone” in the traditional sense. Today, Vallejo is better understood as a coverage zone: a strategic point inside the city from which you can sustain operations that depend on something simple (and demanding): delivering on time.
In an environment where e-commerce, retail replenishment, and parcel networks compete on speed and reliability, location stops being a marketing attribute and becomes a measurable operational advantage. And in this game, the key concept is infill.
What does “infill” mean in urban logistics?
“Infill” means operating inside the real demand map, not only where land is cheaper. It’s being close to the end consumer to reduce distance, variability, and operational friction.
In a city like Mexico City, where traffic changes by the hour due to construction, events, restrictions, and schedules, proximity doesn’t just save minutes: it reduces uncertainty. And uncertainty is the number one enemy of last mile.
When an operation is well positioned in an infill zone like Vallejo, it becomes easier to:
- sustain delivery time windows,
- plan routes with more precision,
- improve fleet and courier productivity,
- reduce failed deliveries and returns.
The real KPI isn’t rent per m²: it’s time
Vallejo vs. the outskirts is often compared through a rent-cost lens. But in last mile, the KPI that truly defines performance is not “$ per square meter,” it’s time per delivery and service consistency.
Three operational metrics usually capture that best:
1) Door-to-door time
How long a package takes from leaving the facility to reaching its delivery area.
2) Dispatch time
From the moment a vehicle reaches the dock, gets loaded, and actually makes it onto the road—without losing time in queues or tight maneuvering.
3) Cycle time
Inbound → sort → outbound.
In high-velocity operations, this is the metric that punishes poor layout, dock capacity, or staging the fastest.
An urban infill facility may not be “faster” at every hour of the day, but it tends to be more predictable, and predictability makes it easier to design waves, shifts, and capacity with less error margin.
The city penalizes improvisation
Operating infill has benefits, but it also requires discipline. In an urban zone, what gets improvised gets paid for with:
- queues on the street,
- conflicts with neighbors/authorities,
- inbound/outbound delays,
- yard congestion,
- higher operational and security risk.
That’s why Vallejo isn’t ideal for a model where the primary goal is “just storing.” Vallejo is for moving.
When the facility is designed for urban operations, logistics stays within the property boundaries, and that makes all the difference.
What makes a building “work” in Vallejo?
For location to truly become an advantage, the facility must enable speed and smooth flow coexistence. In practice, the biggest impact comes from:
1) Access and real-world restrictions (not theoretical)
It’s not enough to “be close.” You must consider:
- turning radii and maneuverability,
- time-based restrictions,
- conflict points (U-turns, crossings),
- urban impact during peak waves.
2) Yards and maneuvering space to avoid “street queuing”
In last mile, queues kill the promise. If vehicles can’t enter or stage efficiently, the entire day slips. Yard capacity and traffic management are silent KPIs.
3) Dock capacity aligned with the real vehicle mix
Last mile isn’t only about trailers. The mix often includes:
- trailers and medium-duty trucks (inbound replenishment),
- vans and light trucks (distribution),
- last-mile units (short routes).
The facility must support that coexistence without friction.
4) Staging and layout designed for velocity
Urban operations need clear areas for:
- inbound receiving,
- sorting,
- outbound staging,
- returns (which are part of the business, not an exception).
When staging falls short, the warehouse becomes a bottleneck—even if the location is perfect.
5) Operational security adapted to high velocity
More movement means more risk without control:
- wave-based access management,
- separated pedestrian/vehicle routes,
- vendor and 3PL controls,
- CCTV, lighting, procedures.
In infill, security isn’t an “extra”, it’s operational continuity.
“Real” connectivity, not just a good address
Vallejo stands out because it’s not about a “nice” location, it’s about connectivity that reduces everyday friction:
- primary roads for fast distribution,
- alternate routes when closures hit,
- access for multiple vehicle types,
- proximity to labor.
In urban operations, every minute counts… and every impossible turn does too.
Vallejo is often a strong fit for operations such as:
- e-commerce with same-day / next-day promises,
- parcel and 3PL networks with many short routes,
- retail with fast replenishment (stores and dark stores),
- cross-dock / sortation (high velocity and volume),
- efficient reverse logistics (returns).
If your model depends on speed + reliability, infill stops being a “premium option” and becomes strategy.
Conclusion: Vallejo isn’t sold in square meters—it’s sold in minutes
In urban logistics, the most valuable asset isn’t always the square meter. It’s time: dispatch time, route time, cycle time, and the time it takes to keep your promise.
Vallejo works because it turns proximity into control.
And when a facility is truly ready to operate without friction, that proximity translates into productivity, consistency, and better service.
If your operation requires real coverage in Mexico City’s North, the conversation shouldn’t start with rent per square meter, it should start with your target times, your vehicle mix, and your operating velocity.
Schedule a tour:ebecerril@odonnell.com.mx | Mobile: +52 56 4160 1673
