How Uber Freight is redefining supply chains with Uber Direct

By Hany Elkordy, Head of Logistics – Last Mile

In today’s fast-paced world of logistics, consumer expectations are higher than ever, and the ability to deliver efficiently and effectively is a critical differentiator for businesses. At Uber Freight, we’re not just responding to these challenges—we’re anticipating them and innovating with the industry to solve them. That’s why we’re announcing a new integration between Uber Freight and Uber Direct, Uber’s on-demand delivery-as-a-service platform. This partnership expands our capabilities to cover the logistics journey.

The power of the platform

Our collaboration with Uber Direct expands our services and opens new delivery opportunities for our partners. The Uber Freight platform is a comprehensive technology solution that optimizes transportation networks across the supply chain, including Ocean, Air, Intermodal, First Mile, Middle Mile, and Last Mile. By leveraging the strengths of our respective  technologies, Uber Freight can deliver a set of logistics offerings that set a new standard for the industry.

During our recent Deliver conference, Uber Freight’s CEO, Lior Ron, shared our vision for this expansion. “The power of Uber Freight’s platform is an expansive, innovative marketplace ecosystem that breeds opportunities to deliver more efficient ways to drive logistics for our customers,” he said. “Expanding on our last mile capabilities by teaming up with Uber Direct’s same-day delivery expertise is just the start of how this platform can be leveraged to create and manage new solutions for the enterprise and our customers, while delivering exceptional value for them.”

Seamless solutions for the final mile

At the core of this expansion is our Parcel Transportation Management System (PTMS), a mature and scalable technology that has processed over 250 million packages in the last 12 months. The PTMS, which routes packages to a last-mile carrier, including optimizing for best cost, service and speed, differentiates itself by providing complete optionality, transparency, and configurability, and is designed to meet the needs of a multi-billion-dollar industry that increasingly demands innovative models to deliver packages efficiently. 

The benefits of an integrated approach

Our delivery system is smarter and more effective because of our advanced routing and optimization algorithms, machine learning, and sound operational practices, backed by years of demonstrated strong execution. By taking advantage of our latest integrated technologies, we help reduce the shipper’s overheads in carrier procurement, integration, and last mile execution. Our asset-lite model, which leverages independent contractors and other carrier networks, offers competitive pricing, a broad range of speed options, and reliable service while maintaining flexibility and optionality in carrier selection.

Additionally, our integration with Uber Direct augments our existing capability to provide shippers with the ability to inject into other carrier networks, densify shipments into destination geographies, and leverage our at-scale middle mile network. 

From procurement to the final mile, Uber Freight offers comprehensive, end-to-end solutions that are designed to meet shippers evolving needs, whether a large enterprise or a growing business.  Over the previous 12 months, Uber Freight has managed over 250 million packages through the power of this platform and expect to grow even more over the next year. With a proven record for on-time delivery, compelling unit economics, and strong customer testimonials, Uber Direct is already proving its value.

This integration is live and available for shippers to use today. As part of our ongoing product development efforts, we welcome design input from our customers to ensure we capture a wide range of use cases and power our innovation cycle with deep customer insights.

This is just the beginning. As we continue to expand our offerings, we’re committed to providing our customers with the tools and technology needed to stay ahead in this highly competitive market. Our integration with Uber Direct is a step forward in unlocking more possibilities from an-already at-scale platform to deliver exceptional value to our broad portfolio of customers and aligns with our core mission to simplify logistics and help communities thrive.

Stay tuned as we unveil more exciting developments in the coming months and learn how Uber Freight is powering intelligent logistics end to end.