Global chemical manufacturer Oxea has selected Uber Freight to manage its logistics operations across multiple regions and transportation modes, with the aim of bringing its network under a single global operating structure.
Oxea had been looking for a logistics partner capable of managing its transportation operations not simply on a regional basis, but as one connected global network.
Under the partnership, Uber Freight will provide more than outsourced transportation management. The logistics company will oversee day-to-day transportation activities across truckload, rail and ocean, covering a network that extends across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Europe, according to a Sept. 15 press release.
Managing logistics for a chemical manufacturer presents particular challenges. Shipments can require specialized equipment and handling procedures, extensive documentation and close coordination between manufacturing plants, carriers and customers.
Bringing those activities together within a single network is expected to give Uber Freight a broader view of Oxea’s operations and allow the logistics provider to make adjustments as conditions change.
Oxea’s goal is to identify potential problems earlier and respond more quickly, according to Chief Supply Chain Officer Scott Farmer.
“What matters is the impact: a clearer, earlier view of our global network, faster identification of potential disruptions, and more reliable, proactive information for customers,” Bret Bement, Oxea’s vice president of supply chain management, told Supply Chain Dive in an email.
Focus on visibility and reliability
According to the companies’ announcement, Uber Freight’s management of Oxea’s logistics operations is intended to make transportation services more reliable and predictable.
By identifying disruptions at an earlier stage and coordinating transportation across both regions and modes, Uber Freight expects to help improve on-time performance and enable more proactive communication with customers.
More efficient routing could also contribute to lower carbon emissions for Oxea.
“We bring technology, data and logistics expertise together to run the operation, identify issues earlier and keep improving how the network performs,” said D’Andrae Larry, Uber Freight’s chief commercial officer. “That lets OXEA stay focused on its business and its customers.”
The companies did not provide additional details about the specific data and technology architecture that will support the partnership.
Uber Freight, however, operates its own transportation management solution, which can be integrated with a customer’s enterprise resource planning system. The combined systems can provide real-time shipment visibility, while the transportation management system also gives customers access to Uber Freight’s public tracking portal and carrier performance dashboards.
AI adds another layer of supply chain analysis
Uber Freight also operates an AI-powered logistics platform designed to provide insights and data analysis based on more than 20 million delivered shipments.
Customers can use the platform to ask industry-specific questions and receive real-time answers tailored to their individual supply chain requirements.
For Oxea, the combination of centralized logistics management, transportation visibility, data and AI-based analysis is intended to support a network that can react more quickly to disruptions while continuously improving operational performance.
“Our philosophy is simple: put the work where the expertise is,” Farmer said. “We chose Uber Freight because they bring technology and logistics expertise together with a strong commitment to continuous improvement, helping us build an operation that gets better over time.”
