Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

newsworthy

Uber Freight opens Chicago headquarters

Three years after launching in San Francisco, digital freight brokerage firm keeps foot on the gas with plan to hire 2,000 employees in the next three years.

San Francisco-based Uber Freight said today it had opened a new headquarters in Chicago and plans to invest over $200 million annually in the region through headcount, real estate investment, and other expenses.

Uber Freight, the freight brokerage arm of ride-hailing firm Uber Technologies Inc., said it plans to hire 2,000 new employees in the region over the next three years, dedicating most of them to serving in Uber Freight's first engineering hub outside of San Francisco.


[iframe https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d47533.00871509412!2d-87.67155709139284!3d41.875368667853024!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x880e2d8fd16e9373%3A0x477bc4e4743d996b!2sThe%20Old%20Main%20Post%20Office!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1568050494777!5m2!1sen!2sus height=450 width=600]

The move is intended to support Uber Freight's global growth, which over the last 27 months has included an expansion from the U.S. into Europe, compiling over 400,000 drivers in its carrier network, and listing more than 1,000 shippers as customers, including AB Inbev, Niagara Bottling, and Land O'Lakes, the company said.

Also in recent months, the firm has grown through integrations with software vendors such as transportation management software (TMS) provider MercuryGate Inc. and through launching new features like its "Lane Explorer" real-time freight-quoting tool.

"Trucking represents an enormous opportunity for Uber, and this milestone is a testament to our long-term commitment to our Freight business," Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in a release. "Chicago is the heart of America's transportation and logistics industry, and there is no better place to open our dedicated Freight HQ. Uber has long recognized the incredible history, innovation, and talent that Chicago has to offer, and we're excited about the thousands of new jobs our Freight business will help bring as we become one of the city's largest technology employers."

The move will also help the firm pursue a larger share of the $3.8 trillion global freight industry by offering a more efficient and collaborative platform than is now available, Lior Ron, the head of Uber Freight, said in a blog post.

"We've built cutting-edge technology for both sides of the freight marketplace, unlocking opportunity for shippers, carriers, and their drivers so that they can focus on improving their bottom lines, growing their businesses, and keeping their eyes on the road ahead," Ron said. "We've pushed the entire industry towards transparency with features like facility ratings and real-time pricing."

The Latest

More Stories

Mobile robots, drones move beyond the hype

Mobile robots, drones move beyond the hype

Supply chains are poised for accelerated adoption of mobile robots and drones as those technologies mature and companies focus on implementing artificial intelligence (AI) and automation across their logistics operations.

That’s according to data from Gartner’s Hype Cycle for Mobile Robots and Drones, released this week. The report shows that several mobile robotics technologies will mature over the next two to five years, and also identifies breakthrough and rising technologies set to have an impact further out.

Keep ReadingShow less

Featured

warehouse automation systems

Cimcorp's new CEO sees growth in grocery and tire segments

Logistics automation systems integrator Cimcorp today named company insider Veli-Matti Hakala as its new CEO, saying he will cultivate growth in both the company and its clientele, specifically in the grocery retail and tire plant logistics sectors.

An eight-year veteran of the Georgia company, Hakala will begin his new role on January 1, when the current CEO, Tero Peltomäki, will retire after a long and noteworthy career, continuing as a member of the board of directors, Cimcorp said.

Keep ReadingShow less

Securing the last mile

Although many shoppers will return to physical stores this holiday season, online shopping remains a driving force behind peak-season shipping challenges, especially when it comes to the last mile. Consumers still want fast, free shipping if they can get it—without any delays or disruptions to their holiday deliveries.

One disruptor that gets a lot of headlines this time of year is package theft—committed by so-called “porch pirates.” These are thieves who snatch parcels from front stairs, side porches, and driveways in neighborhoods across the country. The problem adds up to billions of dollars in stolen merchandise each year—not to mention headaches for shippers, parcel delivery companies, and, of course, consumers.

Keep ReadingShow less
image of board and prevedere software

Board acquires Prevedere to build business prediction platform

The Boston-based enterprise software vendor Board has acquired the California company Prevedere, a provider of predictive planning technology, saying the move will integrate internal performance metrics with external economic intelligence.

According to Board, the combined technologies will integrate millions of external data points—ranging from macroeconomic indicators to AI-driven predictive models—to help companies build predictive models for critical planning needs, cutting costs by reducing inventory excess and optimizing logistics in response to global trade dynamics.

Keep ReadingShow less
vecna warehouse robots

Vecna Robotics names Iagnemma as new CEO

Material handling automation provider Vecna Robotics today named Karl Iagnemma as its new CEO and announced $14.5 million in additional funding from existing investors, the Waltham, Massachusetts firm said.

The fresh funding is earmarked to accelerate technology and product enhancements to address the automation needs of operators in automotive, general manufacturing, and high-volume warehousing.

Keep ReadingShow less