OXEA taps Uber Freight to manage North American, European logistics

Chemical manufacturer OXEA has chosen Uber Freight as its strategic logistics provider across North America, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, as the company consolidates its regional transportation operations into a unified global network. OXEA, headquartered in Houston, specializes in producing oxo intermediates and oxo performance chemicals, which are used in diverse products like coatings, lubricants, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, flavors and fragrances, printing inks, and plastics. The company employs over 1,200 people and sells its products in more than 60 countries.

Under the new partnership, Uber Freight will oversee day-to-day transportation management, utilizing technology, data, and logistics services to enhance visibility throughout OXEA's supply chain. The agreement marks Uber Freight's inaugural managed transportation engagement designed to cover the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe simultaneously, according to both companies.

OXEA's chief supply chain officer, Scott Farmer, emphasized the importance of anticipating issues, responding swiftly, and delivering consistent performance for the businesses that rely on the company. For Uber Freight, the deal broadens its managed transportation services beyond individual regions, consolidating freight movements across North America and Europe under a single operating model.

The cross-border component encompasses transportation across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, introducing additional complexity involving multiple modes, carriers, and regulatory environments.

OXEA selected Uber Freight due to the logistics company's combination of technology, logistics expertise, and focus on continuously improving transportation operations. Managing OXEA's freight network entails specialized equipment and handling, extensive documentation, safety and regulatory compliance, as well as coordination among manufacturing plants, carriers, and customers.

Uber Freight will address these requirements across transportation modes and geographic regions. The partnership aims to identify potential disruptions sooner, improve on-time performance, and facilitate better communication with customers.

Additionally, the agreement enables more efficient routing and transportation decisions, which could assist OXEA in reducing carbon dioxide emissions and advancing its sustainability goals. D'Andrae Larry, Uber Freight's chief commercial officer, stated that the company brings technology, data, and logistics expertise together to run the operation, identify issues early, and continuously improve the network's performance.